Last week, an 81 year old local woman ill from Listeria died. On Monday, September 1, Dr. Heimann, Medical Officer of Health, received confirmation that she was infected with the same type of Listeria that is linked to the Maple Leaf recall. The Health Unit, along with Windsor Regional Hospital and Hotel Dieu Grace, will be holding a press conference to discuss this issue.

Outbreak timeline for Windsor

Wednesday, August 27
An 81 year old woman dies. Listeria infection confirmed. It is not known if linked to outbreak; awaiting DNA results.

Thursday, August 28
Second Windsor Listeria case, a 60 year old woman, admitted to hospital for a pre-existing medical condition; tested for Listeria.

Friday, August 29
Second Windsor Listeria case dies. Listeria infection confirmed, but it is not the primary cause of death. It is not known if linked to outbreak; awaiting DNA results.

Monday, September 1
Dr. Heimann receives confirmation that the first Listeria case is linked to the outbreak.

In this outbreak investigation, a confirmed case is an individual that has Listeria monocytogenes with the same genetic DNA fingerprint as the outbreak strain. A suspect case is an individual with Listeria and is awaiting fingerprinting pattern results.

Products from the Maple Leaf facility 97B are not to be consumed because they may contain the bacterium Listeria monocytogenes (Listeria). Foods contaminated with Listeria don’t smell or appear spoiled. To determine if a product is part of the recall list, look for the establishment code beside the best before or packed on date. "If you're in doubt about a product, throw it out." Dr Heimann, Medical Officer of Health, tells residents.

Symptoms of Listeriosis start suddenly and are severe. The symptoms of Listeriosis include vomiting, diarrhea, severe headache, and fever. If you or someone you know experience any of these symptoms, seek medical attention immediately.  Symptoms usually appear within 2 to 30 days and up to 70 days after consuming contaminated food. These symptoms can be caused by other medical conditions and should not be ignored.

The recall originally included a few deli meat products. As of Friday evening, the national recall was expanded to include all products that were produced by Maple Leaf Consumer Foods facility 97B. The list of recalled food can be found at Canadian Food Inspection Agency website

Click here for more information on Listeria.