CANADA: Final update: Listeria monocytogenes cases in several provinces

30.sep.09
Public Health Agency of Canada

The Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) worked with provincial and
local health authorities and Health Canada to investigate a small
cluster of cases of Listeria monocytogenes in Canada. The Canadian Food
Inspection Agency (CFIA) assisted PHAC in their investigation.
Six cases were investigated that were caused by the same strain of
Listeria monocytogenes. One of the cases has died, and listeriosis
contributed to this death. After thorough investigation there does not
appear to be a common source for these infections. As a result, the
investigation of this cluster of cases will be closed.
Provincial/territorial and federal health authorities will continue to
monitor for new cases of illness. 
There are between 100 and 140 cases of listeriosis reported in Canada
each year. Listeria poses a risk to the elderly, the very young, those
with weakened immune systems and pregnant women. However, most healthy
people exposed to Listeria are at very low risk of being affected by the
bacteria.