IMPORTANT:
If you have eaten the contaminated product and do NOT have symptoms, please read through the fact sheet below to watch for symptoms and answer questions you may have
OR
Call Telehealth at 1-866-797-0000 (TTY: 1-866-797-0007).
If you have eaten the contaminated product and do have symptoms, please call your family doctor or contact a walk-in clinic near you.
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Ontario’s Chief Medical Officer of Health is advising the public that there is an outbreak of Listeriosis in the province.
Listeriosis is a rare but potentially serious foodborne illness that can severely affect the elderly, pregnant women and individuals with weakened immune systems. It is caused by the bacterium Listeria monocytogenes.
In July 2008, routine surveillance conducted by the Ministry detected a marked increase in cases of Listeriosis being reported by Ontario health units.
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) and Maple Leaf Consumer Foods are warning the public through their standard food recall system not to serve or consume 23 products (as of August 19, 2008) of ready-to-eat deli meats because of possible contamination with Listeria monocytogenes.
Therefore Hamilton Public Health Services is providing residents with the following information to keep them informed of the progress of the outbreak.
Listeriosis Fact Sheet:
What is Listeriosis?
Listeriosis (commonly known as Listeria) is a rare but serious disease caused by bacteria called Listeria monocytogenes. These bacteria are widespread in the environment and have been found in soil, rotting vegetation, water, sewage, food and feces of humans and animals (domestic and wild). Listeriosis is primarily a foodborne illness and occurs most often among the elderly, pregnant women and their unborn/newborn children, and people with weakened immune systems, such as those undergoing chemotherapy, transplant patients, those with AIDS, diabetics and alcoholics.
What causes Listeriosis?
Listeriosis is caused by eating food contaminated with Listeria bacteria. Listeria can be found in unpasteurized (raw) dairy products, raw vegetables and uncooked meats. Foods can also be contaminated after processing, such as hot dogs, cold cuts or deli meats. Unlike most other harmful bacteria, Listeria will grow on foods stored in a refrigerator. Foods that are contaminated with Listeria look, smell and taste normal. Listeria can be killed by proper cooking procedures. In pregnant women, the bacteria can be transmitted to the unborn baby while pregnant or during delivery.
What are the symptoms?
Symptoms may start suddenly and include: vomiting, nausea, cramps, diarrhea, severe headache, or fever. While some people experience only mild flu-like symptoms, others can develop severe infection of the brain, or lining of the brain and blood poisoning. The disease is most serious for unborn/newborn babies, elderly and those with weak immune systems.
Many people may also be carriers of Listeria, but few will actually develop symptoms. How ill someone becomes depends upon their general state of health, their age and whether they are pregnant. Those who do develop Listeriosis will likely become ill from eating food contaminated with the bacteria, often with symptoms of what people would call food poisoning. Listeriosis is a relatively rare disease in Canada. Animals and humans can carry the bacterium without knowing it.
How soon do symptoms appear?
Symptoms can occur from 3 to 70 days (average 3 weeks) after eating or drinking a product contaminated with the bacteria.
How long is a person contagious?
Infected individuals may shed the organisms in their feces for several months. Mothers of infected newborn infants can shed the bacteria in vaginal discharges and urine for 7-10 days after delivery, rarely longer. However, Listeria bacteria are not commonly passed from person to person.
How is it diagnosed?
A blood or spinal fluid test will determine if you have Listeriosis. Contact your physician if you have symptoms.
What is the treatment?
Listeriosis is treated with specific antibiotics prescribed by a physician. There is no vaccine to prevent Listeriosis.
Prevention
Although it is not certain that all cases of Listeria are linked to contaminated food, the following can reduce the risk of Listeriosis infection:
- Foods should be kept out of the temperature danger zone (between 4 degrees Celsius and 60 degrees Celsius or 40 degrees Fahrenheit and 140 degrees Fahrenheit). Keep the refrigerator at 4 degrees Celsius (40 degrees Fahrenheit) or colder. Foods should be refrigerated promptly
- Thoroughly cook raw meats such as beef, lamb, pork, or poultry
- Wash raw vegetables and fruit before eating
- Avoid unpasteurized (raw) milk or foods made from unpasteurized (raw) milk
- Keep raw meat separate from vegetables, cooked foods, and ready-to-eat foods including using separate cutting boards for raw meat and foods that are ready to eat
- Clean your hands before and after preparing food and after handling animals
- Follow ‘best before’ or expiry dates on food items
What should I do if I have food recalled because of Listeria contamination?
Throw out food that has been recalled because of Listeria contamination. If you have eaten a contaminated product and do not have any symptoms, no tests are required. However, if you become ill with fever or serious illness, contact your health care provider and mention your possible exposure. See the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) for the most current list of food recalls.
For more information, please contact Hamilton Public Health, Infectious Disease Program.
This information is intended to provide general health-related information about Listeriosis. It is not intended to replace medical consultation by your physician and/or other health care professionals.
Sources:
Red Book 2006, 26th Edition, American Academy of Pediatrics Control of Communicable Diseases Manual, 18th Edition, David L. Heymann
Ministry of Health and Long-term Care, Public Health Division, Listeria Fact sheet
Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care outbreak information
Canadian Food Inspection Agency food recall information
Contact information:
Phone: 905-546-CITY (2489)
Email: publichealth@hamilton.ca
Last updated: August 26, 2008