Listeriosis update: 13 deaths, 38 confirmed cases Canada-wide

Listeriosis update: 13 deaths, 38 confirmed cases Canada-wide
Ontario takes the brunt of  outbreak

As of Friday afternoon, the national count of confirmed listeriosis cases and deaths from the recent outbreak stands at 38 confirmed cases, with 20 more under investigation. Thirteen deaths are attributed to the unique strain of listeria bacteria involved in the outbreak, which began with infected meat products from Maple Leaf Foods in Toronto.

The outbreak has had the greatest impact in Ontario: 11 of the 13 deaths, and 29 of the 38 confirmed cases are in the province.

The Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) continues to track the outbreak, and publishes frequent updates giving the confirmed cases, the number of deaths where listeriosis was the underlying or contributing cause, and the number of deaths currently under investigation.

Website: http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/alert-alerte/listeria/listeria_2008-eng.php, or   http://www.publichealth.gc.ca