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Listeriosis Outbreak Kills One

published: August 21st 2008
source: Associated Press

TORONTO (AP)-An outbreak of listeriosis has killed one person and sickened at least 16 others, Canadian public health officials said Wednesday as a food company suspended production at a Toronto plant and expanded a recall of nearly two dozens types of packaged meats.

The Public Health Agency of Canada said it was working with officials in four provinces to establish any link between the outbreak and the affected products recalled by Maple Leaf Foods.

Listeriosis can kill babies and people with weakened immune systems and cause miscarriages. Symptoms include fever, headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea.

On Sunday, the company announced it had discovered listeria bacteria in roast beef and corned beef made at the Toronto facility. It increased the recall on Wednesday to a total of 23 products, including a variety of turkey, smoked meat and roast beef.