Listeria monocytogenes outbreak

Update:  March 13, 2009

The Public Health Agency of Canada has updated its case numbers from last year's national listeriosis outbreak.  The Quebec Ministry of Health has reported a new case of listeriosis in an individual who became ill last November and died in January 2009.  There is currently no listeriosis outbreak ongoing in Canada at this time. 

After reviewing the information supplied by Quebec health authorities, the Public Health Agency of Canada has determined that this case meets the criteria established for last year's outbreak to be considered a confirmed case.  The strain of listeriosis from this newly reported case matches the 2008 outbreak strain and the timing of the illness falls within the incubation timeline of the outbreak.

While the death is considered part of the 2008 outbreak, the source of the individual's infection could not be confirmed.  Determining with certainty what the individual ate last year was not possible.  Local health authorities in Quebec led the follow up to determine the cause of illness. 

The Public Health Agency of Canada is in regular contact with its provincial and territorial counterparts to share any new information related to this case and the outbreak.

Province	Confirmed Cases	Deaths where Listeriosis was the underlying or contributing cause*
Ontario	41	15
BC	5	2
Alberta	2	1
Saskatchewan	2	0
Manitoba	1	0
Quebec	5	2
New Brunswick	1	1
Total	57	21

*As recorded on death certificate or as assessed by attending physician.

There are between 100 and 140 cases of listeriosis reported in Canada each year.  For most people, the risk posed by Listeria is very low.  Healthy people who are exposed to Listeria are rarely affected by the bacteria.  However, there are certain people who are at higher risk for listeriosis – infants, the elderly, pregnant women, and people with weakened immune systems.