August 27, 2008 - Laboratory tests have confirmed that a case of Listeria from the District of Thunder Bay has been linked to the current outbreak of Listeriosis. Confirmation of the case was received late day, yesterday (Tuesday, August 26, 2008).
The individual involved did consume meat product recalled from the Maple Leaf manufacturing plant cited as the source of the products implicated in the outbreak.
Lists of recalled products are available at the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) website at www.inspection.gc.ca and at Maple Leaf Foods at www.mapleleaf.ca/pdf/BartorRdProductRecallList.pdf. Please check these sites often for updates. Consumers can also call the CFIA at 1-800-442-2342 or Maple Leaf Consumer Foods at 1-800-568-5801 for information.
The recalled products were distributed nationally to nursing homes, hospitals and restaurants, and sold at retail and deli counters. Since the recall was initiated, the Health Unit has been working with provincial and national outbreak investigation teams, and local acute care and long term care facilities, daycares, restaurants and food vendors, to ensure products connected to the recall are not sold or distributed in the District of Thunder Bay.
By consuming food contaminated with listeria bacteria individuals may develop the foodborne illness called listeriosis. Symptoms could include high fever, severe headache, neck stiffness, vomiting, diarrhea and nausea. Those at highest risk include pregnant women, the elderly and those with weakened immune systems. Pregnant women may only experience flu-like symptoms, however, contracting the illness could lead to complications including premature delivery, newborn infections or stillbirth.
As a reminder to the public, the steps to take with any recalled product, are as follows:
1. Check meat products in your fridge and freezer against the list of recalled products.
2. Verify that the products you have are not listed in the recall.
3. If the product is one of those listed in the recall, throw it out or return it to the store you purchased it from.
4. If you no longer have the original packaging for the product, and do not have product details, throw it out as a health precaution.
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