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HEALTH: Maple Leaf Foods face class action suit as Alberta investigates deadly disease
        (AlbertaIndex, August 27, Wednesday) --- Hundreds of Canadians are filing a class action law suit against Toronto-based Maple Leaf Foods related to the spread of the deadly Listeriosis disease in contaminated meat that has so far killed at least 15 people throughout the country.
        Listeriosis, a serious infection caused by eating food contaminated with the bacterium Listeria monocytogenes, has recently been recognized as an important public health problem, according to US Center for Disease Control and Prevention.

As of August 26, eight cases of Listeriosis have been reported to Alberta Health and Wellness. Six of the cases occurred after the defined start of outbreak start on June 1.

Of the six cases, test results to determine a link to the outbreak strain have been completed for two cases.
Results suggest that those two cases are not linked to the outbreak, while test results for the other four cases, including two deaths, are pending.

The two deaths occurred in July and August in the Palliser and Peace Country health regions respectively. While the individuals did have Listeriosis when they died, Alberta health officials said it is not clear how much of a contributing factor Listeriosis played as the victims had underlying medical conditions. The results of laboratory tests to determine if these cases are linked to the outbreak are pending.

In response to the epidemic, Alberta’s Acting Chief Medical Officer of Health, Dr Gerry Predy, has released a status report on Listeriosis cases in the province, and outlined steps being taken to determine whether the cases are linked to a national recall of Maple Leaf meat products.

He said: “Alberta is collaborating with the Public Health Agency of Canada and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency to ensure the product recall is successful in Alberta. At the same time, we are investigating cases that occurred during the period of the recall to determine if those cases are linked.

“It is important to note that Listeria monocytogenes is commonly found, and is not really a concern for most people. However, it can lead to serious complications in the elderly, newborns, pregnant women and those with weakened immune systems. Anyone in those groups who develops symptoms such as fever, headache or stiff neck and may have eaten any of the recalled products should contact their physician or health care provider.”


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