Listeriosis Update, Ontario, Canada

Main Category: Infectious Diseases / Bacteria / Viruses
Also Included In: Nutrition / Diet;  GastroIntestinal / Gastroenterology;  Public Health
Article Date: 10 Oct 2008 - 3:00 PDT

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The Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care's listeriosis update as of Monday, October 8, 2008.

Total number of cases - 44
Total confirmed cases - 40
Total cases under investigation - 4
Number of deaths among confirmed cases - 22
Number of death where listeriosis was an underlying or contributing cause - 15
Number of death where cause is undetermined - 7

"It's clear now that the worst of the outbreak is over," said Dr. David Williams, Ontario's Chief Medical Officer of Health. "At the same time, the public health system continues to be vigilant for potential new cases of listeriosis because of the long incubation period of the disease."

Quick Facts

- The average age of confirmed cases is 77.
- Almost all confirmed cases with complete information live in an institution or were hospitalized prior to the onset of the illness. Four 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.

Learn More

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.

Government of Ontario, Canada