Listeria monocytogenes outbreak

Final Update:  April 17, 2009

The Public Health Agency of Canada has updated its case numbers from last year’s national listeriosis outbreak. 

Ontario lab results have confirmed that listeriosis was an underlying or contributing cause of death in a case identified during the outbreak last year.  This is not a new case and there is currently no listeriosis outbreak ongoing in Canada at this time.

This updated case information was included in the Chief Medical Officer of Health’s Report on the Management of the 2008 Listeriosis Outbreak in Ontario, which was released today.

The Public Health Agency of Canada is in regular contact with its provincial and territorial counterparts to share any new information as it comes to light about the outbreak.

Province	Confirmed Cases	Deaths where Listeriosis was the underlying or contributing cause*
Ontario	41	16
BC	5	2
Alberta	2	1
Saskatchewan	2	0
Manitoba	1	0
Quebec	5	2
New Brunswick	1	1
Total	57	22

*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.

We recommend that those at greater risk take precautionary measures when preparing food by avoiding unpasteurized milk and dairy products, and ensuring that raw vegetables are washed thoroughly before they are eaten.