September 11, 2008

The Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care’s listeriosis update as of Thursday, September 11, 2008.

The number of deaths reported among confirmed cases has increased because one of the confirmed cases recently died.

“Public health units have completed their checks of hospitals and long-term care homes across the province to ensure Maple Leaf Consumer Foods products that were part of the recall have been removed,” said Dr. David Williams, Ontario’s Chief Medical Officer of Health. "The public health system continues to be vigilant for potential new cases of Listeriosis because of the long incubation period of the disease. The general public, especially those at high risk, should continue to take precautions and ensure that no recalled products are being consumed. When in doubt, throw it out.”

• The average age of confirmed cases is 76.
• Almost all confirmed cases with complete information live in an institution or were hospitalized prior to the onset of the illness. Three confirmed cases were not hospitalized or did not reside in an institution prior to the onset of the illness, and a small number of confirmed cases have information pending.
• The incubation period for Listeriosis is from three to 70 days with an average incubation period of three weeks.
• Listeriosis is a reportable disease under Ontario Regulation 569 of the Health Protection and Promotion Act.

For an up-to-date list on this recall and other CFIA consumer food recalls online 

Find out more about the Listeriosis outbreak online

Contact your local public health unit.

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