Cooperation key to controlling Ontario Listeria cases

The Halton Region Health Department is working with provincial counterparts to help investigate and control a multi-province listeriosis outbreak. Cases have been linked to certain ready-to-eat deli meat products that are subject to a Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) recall.

Listeria are bacteria that are found widely in the environment. When food contaminated with the bacteria is eaten, an illness called listeriosis may develop in some persons.

“Health Department staff has been keeping Halton healthcare facilities up to date with information related to this outbreak and has been providing local surveillance information to the provincial authorities,” said Dr. Monir Taha, Halton Region Associate Medical Officer of Health. “We are increasing communication with food vendors and adding extra inspections to assist with the CFIA recall.”

Cases of listeriosis related to this outbreak have been found provincially and nationally. There are currently two cases of listeriosis in Halton Region that have been linked to the outbreak. On average, Halton Region has one to two cases of listeria per year.

“Most people do not get ill when exposed to Listeria. In fact, as many as one in ten persons carry Listeria in their large intestines without knowing it,” added Dr. Taha. “However, elderly persons, people with chronic illnesses and weakened immune systems, and pregnant women and their fetuses are more at risk of serious illness.”

If you have eaten any of the recalled products and are ill, please contact your family physician immediately.

The Health Department has posted additional information about Listeria on our website. A link to the list of contaminated products is also provided.

For more information please call Halton Region at 905-825-6000, toll free 1-866-4HALTON (1-866-442-5866) or visit our website at www.halton.ca.

Support Our Sponsors