There have been five BC residents who developed listeriosis with the same strain of Listeria that has caused the national outbreak linked to Maple Leaf deli meats (i.e. five confirmed cases).
Of BC's five confirmed cases, two cases live in the Northern Health Authority, one on Vancouver Island and two in the Interior Health Authority. All five have underlying medical conditions that may have increased their risk of infection. They were aged 29 to 68 years old and four were women. These individuals became ill between June 13 and September 3. Two developed Listeria sepsis (blood infection) and three, brain infections. Two infected people died; Listeria was the underlying or contributing cause of death. Three of these individuals likely ate Maple Leaf deli meats in hospital while hospitalised for other reasons. The other two cases’s food exposures are under investigation.
On average, approximately 10 cases of listeriosis are reported in BC every year. The majority of these are elderly and/or have medical conditions that weaken their immune system. About 30% of infected people died.
Listeriosis is a disease reportable by law from physicians and laboratories to public health authorities in BC. BCCDC and the BC Regional Health Authorities remain vigilant for new cases of listeriosis. Listeriosis is initially diagnosed by hospital laboratories. The bacteria isolated are forwarded to the BCCDC site of the PHSA Laboratories and on to the National Microbiology Laboratory for strain identification to assess whether it is the same as that causing the national outbreak.
BCCDC, the BC Regional Health Authorities and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency are collaborating to ensure the recalled products are no longer being served to the public in BC. Government inspectors are calling or visiting a wide range of food premises which may have received the recalled products, including health care institutions, stores and restaurants across BC.
Listeriosis has not been reported from healthy children and adults nor from pregnant women in BC during this outbreak to date.
If you are healthy and have eaten a recalled product and develop severe symptoms such as fever or prolonged severe headaches, please consult your physician. If you are pregnant, elderly or immunocompromised, have eaten a recalled product and develop gastrointestinal symptoms (e.g. diarrhea), fever or headaches, please consult your physician.
