PHAC Statement on a Listeria Monocytogenes Outbreak

OTTAWA, ONTARIO--(Marketwire - Aug. 20, 2008) - The Public Health Agency of Canada is collaborating with provincial and local health authorities in Quebec, Ontario, Saskatchewan and British Columbia, Health Canada and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) to investigate an increase in cases of Listeriosis with the same genetic fingerprint (strain).

To date, there are 17 confirmed cases of the outbreak strain of Listeriosis in four provinces (13 in Ontario, two in BC, one in Saskatchewan and one in Quebec). One death in Ontario has been attributed to this strain.

The Public Health Agency of Canada is working with its partners to confirm the source of these infections. This includes gathering epidemiological information from ill individuals and assessing results of food testing. Ready-to-eat meat products are being investigated as a possible source. For information regarding recalled products, please see the CFIA website: http://www.inspection.gc.ca/english/corpaffr/recarapp/2008/20080819e.shtml

Listeria monocytogenes can be found in a variety of dairy products, vegetables, fish and meat products. The disease affects primarily older individuals, pregnant women, newborns, and adults with weakened immune systems. A person with listeriosis may experience fever, muscle aches, and sometimes gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea or diarrhea. Deaths are uncommon, except in the very young, the very old, or people with weakened immune systems. People who believe they have experienced symptoms of illness are urged to contact their health care provider.

For further information on Listeria:

http://www.inspection.gc.ca/english/fssa/concen/cause/listeriae.shtml

http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/msds-ftss/msds96e-eng.php?option=email