Listeria confirmed in 12th death Sep 2, 2008
Canada has been on the alert for listeria infections since Maple Leaf Foods announced a massive recall of products from a Toronto plant that had produced contaminated lunch meats nearly two weeks ago. Philippe Brideau, a spokesman for Public Health, said the individual whose death was linked to listeria yesterday "tested positive for the same strain" as that linked to the Maple Leaf factory. (Globe and Mail)
Second death may be linked to tainted food Aug 22, 2008
When Ontario public-health officials noticed a spike in the monthly numbers of listeria infections the monthly average is about four, but the number in July was creeping past 10 infected patients were asked by local health officials to complete a questionnaire to pinpoint their consumption of deli meats and cheeses, said Philippe Brideau, spokesman for the Public Health Agency of Canada. On Aug. 8, the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care notified CFIA of its concerns about deli meat... (Globe and Mail -- National)
Food safety key for summer picnics Jul 21, 2008
Some foods that are known to cause listeria infections are luncheon meats, hot dogs, soft cheeses and unpasteurized milk. Hot dogs need to be well-cooked piping hot, not lukewarm, and deli meats should be thoroughly heated. (Somerset Daily American, PA)
Recruiting a Dangerous Foe to Fight Cancer and HIV May 22, 2008
It is something you want to avoid: Listeria infections kill about 500 people a year in the U.S., and 2,000 more become seriously ill with food poisoning. Pregnant women are about 20 times more likely to become infected. (Scientific American)
Some Food-Borne Illnesses Down, Some Up Apr 13, 2007
In 2006, reported yersinia infections were 50% rarer, shigella infections were 35 percent rarer, listeria infections were 34% rarer, and campylobacter infections were 30 percent rarer than in 1996-1998. However, vibrio infections, which are usually associated with shellfish, rose 78 percent. (CBS News)
