Listeria in Canada: Touring the Provinces

The Public Health Agency of Canada has confirmed that – as of 4:00 pm today – 48 cases of listeriosis nation-wide are linked to contaminated meat from Maple Leaf's Bartor Road production facility. Another 10 cases are still under investigation. 

Eighteen deaths have been reported for which the outbreak strain of Listeria monocytogenes was the underlying or contributing cause. Three other deaths have been reported in which the outbreak strain did not contribute to the death of the victims. An additional five deaths are still being investigated.

This Listeria monocytogenes outbreak is unprecedented in Canada both in the severity of the illnesses and the geographic distribution of the contaminated food. Here's a breakdown of the outbreak by province, traveling from east to west.

Newfoundland and Labrador

No confirmed or suspect cases of listeriosis.  Last week, Smith's Snacks announced a recall of 31  prepared, ready-to-eat sandwiches and deli meats after CFIA found Listeria monocytogenes for the third time. No illnesses were associated with the recall, and there was no indication that the strain of Listeria monocytogenes was the same as the Maple Leaf outbreak strain.

Nova Scotia

No confirmed or suspect cases of listeriosis associated with the outbreak.

Prince Edward Island

No confirmed or suspect cases of listeriosis associated with the outbreak.

New Brunswick

One fatal confirmed case has been linked to the outbreak. A second case of listeriosis has just been diagnosed. The elderly victim lives in a private residence and was hospitalized as a result of the illness. The strain of Listeria monocytogenes recovered from the patient has been submitted to PHAC's national laboratory for genetic fingerprinting.

Québec

This province had the dubious distinction of coping with a province wide outbreak of Listeria monocytogenes that was simultaneous with, but totally independent from, the national outbreak. Québec reported two confirmed cases associated with the national outbreak strain, including one fatality for which the Listeria monocytogenes infection was not the underlying cause of death. There is also one suspect case still under investigation.

Separately, Québec has reported 30 confirmed cases of listeriosis that have been linked to contaminated cheeses that were manufactured and sold in the province. One of the victims of that outbreak died, and one infant was stillborn. Four of the victims were newborns who were infected in their mothers' wombs, and survived.

Ontario

By far the hardest hit of the provinces, Ontario has experienced 36 confirmed cases, with 7 more cases still under investigation. There were twenty deaths among the confirmed cases; in 14 of them, listeriosis was an underlying or contributing cause of death. There were 6 deaths for which a specific cause was not determined.

Manitoba

This province has experienced five cases of listeriosis so far in 2008. Just one of those cases, reported in August, was caused by the outbreak strain of Listeria monocytogenes. Earlier in September, an infant died from listeriosis. But this infection was caused by a different strain. A new case of listeriosis has just been reported in the Winnipeg area. Lab tests are in progress to determine whether the victim, a woman in her 50's with an underlying medical condition, has been infected by the Maple Leaf outbreak strain.

Saskatchewan

Saskatchewan reported one confirmed case and one death. The death was not directly attributed to the outbreak strain of Listeria monocytogenes.

Alberta

This province has experienced two confirmed cases and one death. The death was attributed to infection by the outbreak strain of Listeria monocytogenes.

British Columbia

This western-most province has reported five confirmed cases of listeriosis linked to the outbreak; a sixth case is under investigation. All five confirmed victims had already-existing medical conditions that might have contributed to their susceptibility to serious illness. The outbreak strain of Listeria monocytogenes was an underlying or contributing cause of two deaths.