SASKATCHEWAN DEATH IN LISTERIOSIS OUTBREAK

The Saskatchewan Ministry of Health is reporting that the province's single confirmed human case of listeriosis has died. The resident was an elderly woman residing in a long-term care facility in the Heartland health region.

"Public health officials are continuing their investigation at this time," said Acting Provincial Deputy Medical Health Officer, Dr. Johnmark Opondo. "This patient had several underlying health conditions and we need to determine whether this strain of listeria caused this death, or was a contributing factor."

"Our deepest sympathies go out to this family at such a difficult time," Dr. Opondo said.

Across Canada, six deaths have been confirmed linked to the Listeria monocytogenes strain that was found in a Maple Leaf foods plant, all in Ontario. Nine deaths remain under investigation, including six in Ontario, one in BC, one in Quebec and one in Saskatchewan.

Additionally, there are 29 suspected cases in Alberta, Ontario, and Quebec that are under investigation to determine if there is a link to the outbreak strain of listeriosis. It is important to note that all the suspect cases have been diagnosed with listeriosis, but laboratory testing (genetic fingerprinting) is required before they can be directly linked to the outbreak strain.

It has now been determined that Saskatchewan's two suspected listerosis cases are not linked to the current outbreak. Saskatchewan has no new listerosis cases to report at this time.

The Ministry of Health along with regional heath authorities have been assisting the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) to ensure food products that may have caused this illness are taken out of circulation and disposed at hospital and long-term care facilities, personal care homes and day cares.

Saskatchewan residents are asked to contact the CFIA at 1-800-442-2342 or view the complete list of recalled meat products at www.inspection.gc.ca.

"I encourage all residents to check the recall list, as there have been products added over the last few days and further updates may occur," Dr. Opondo said. "If you have purchased products on this list, please throw them away."

Healthy people exposed to listeria are at a very low risk of becoming ill. Listeria poses a risk to the elderly, the very young, those with weakened immune systems and pregnant women. Symptoms can include persistent fever, headache, nausea, vomiting, constipation and diarrhea. Symptoms usually appear within two to 30 days, and up to 90 days after consuming contaminated food. Lysteria is treatable with antibiotics.

A fact sheet on listeria is available at www.health.gov.sk.ca/health-alert-listeria-august-2008. If residents have any concerns about their health, or questions about foodbourne illness, they are asked to contact their health care provider or their regional public health office.

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For more information, contact:

Karen Hill
Health
Regina
Phone: 787-4083
Email: khill@health.gov.sk.ca