September 24, 2008

PUBLIC HEALTH UPDATE #5: LISTERIOSIS


The Office of the Chief Medical Officer of Health is informing the public that public health officials are investigating a lab-confirmed case of listeriosis in Manitoba.

The individual, a woman in her 50s with an underlying medical condition, is a resident of the Winnipeg health region. The individual is currently receiving treatment in hospital. Further lab testing and public health investigation are underway to determine if this case is linked to the current national outbreak.

Further analysis of laboratory tests of the infant death related to listeriosis reported earlier in September has determined the case is not linked to the current national outbreak. This is because the DNA fingerprint of the listeria bacteria in the infant case is different from the DNA fingerprint in the listeria bacteria associated with the recalled Maple Leaf products.

Five cases of listeriosis have been reported in Manitoba in 2008. Two cases reported earlier this year, one in January and one in February, were not linked to the current national outbreak. One case reported in August was linked to the current national outbreak. On average, four cases of listeriosis are reported in Manitoba each year.

For more information about listeriosis, Manitobans can visit the website at www.gov.mb.ca/health/publichealth/cmoh/listeriosis/index.html or contact Health Links–Info Santé at 788-8200 or 1‑888‑315-9257 (toll-free).