Listeria takes two in Niagara

Listeria takes two in Niagara : Links to Maple Leaf outbreak to be confirmed  

(Niagara Region, Ontario, Canada) Two recent deaths in Niagara caused by listeria bacteria may be linked to a national outbreak that has been traced to food products that originated in a Toronto processing facility operated by Maple Leaf Foods.  

In July, an elderly woman reported to be in care in a St. Catharines retirement home died of listeriosis. The listeria bacteria responsible was later confirmed to be the same strain identified as the cause of a national outbreak, a Listeria monocytogenes variant. Public health authorities now await the results of testing to determine whether the death of a Niagara Falls man infected with listeria may also have been part of the outbreak.

Canadawide, four deaths in 17 confirmed cases of listeriosis, and more than three dozen under investigation, have been traced back to meat products from the Maple Leaf Foods Bartor Road facility (Establishment No. 97B).  

By yesterday, Maple Leaf Foods had recalled all product made at the Bartor Road where distribution could be tracked. The company will shortly publish a list of specific products and codes to try and alert individual consumers.

Listeriosis is particularly dangerous to the very young, elderly, and pregnant women. Symptoms include nausea, vomiting, cramps, diarrhea, headache, constipation and persistent fever, and usually appear within 2 to 30 days and up to 70 days after consuming contaminated food, according to information issued by Canadian Food Inspection Agency.

Canadian Food Inspection Agency : http://www.inspection.gc.ca/english/fssa/concen/2008listeriae.shtml

Niagara Region Public Health : http://www.regional.niagara.on.ca/living/health_wellness/inspection/Listeriosis-Outbreak.aspx

Maple Leaf Foods : www.mapleleaf.com