What caused the 2008 listeriosis outbreak?
The source of the Listeria monocytogenes bacteria that caused the outbreak were from two Maple Leaf Foods’ production lines at the Bartor Road packaging plant in Toronto, Ontario. The affected products were ready-to-eat sliced cold cuts packaged under the Sure Slice brand and these products were shipped across Canada.
Why did the Maple Leaf Foods listeria outbreak happen?
Maple Leaf Foods CEO Michael McCain says two slicing machines at the company’s Toronto plant are believed to be the most likely source of listeriosis that led to the deadly outbreak.
How did Mr McCain manage this crisis?
Over the course of the crisis, McCain undertook a series of press conferences and became the public face of Maple Leaf Foods. The organisation’s apology was publicly available from its website as well as footage of each media conference.
How Maple Leaf Foods is handling the Listeria outbreak?
Maple Leaf Foods says the plant will be closed for four days as the company investigates an outbreak of listeria monocytogenes and expands a recall of its packaged meats. The company has recalled 23 packaged meat products, including sliced cooked turkey breast, roast beef and salami.
What causes listeriosis in South Africa?
Contaminated polony that was produced at a single facility was the cause of a large national outbreak of listeriosis predominantly associated with an L. monocytogenes ST6 strain in South Africa.
What are the signs of Listeria?
The symptoms vary with the infected person:
- Higher-risk people other than pregnant women: Symptoms can include fever, muscle aches, headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance, and convulsions.
- Pregnant women: Pregnant women typically experience only fever, and other non-specific symptoms like chills and headache.
How Maple Leaf Foods is handling the listeria outbreak?
How can you get listeriosis?
Listeriosis is usually caused by eating food contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. If infection occurs during pregnancy, Listeria bacteria can spread to the baby through the placenta. What should I do if I ate a food that may have been contaminated with Listeria?
How many people died of listeriosis in South Africa?
There were 1,060 confirmed cases of listeriosis during the outbreak, and about 216 deaths. It is the world’s worst ever listeriosis outbreak….2017–2018 South African listeriosis outbreak.
| 2017–2018 South Africa listeriosis outbreak | |
|---|---|
| Date | 2017 – March 2018 |
| Deaths | 216 |
| Injured | 1060 confirmed cases |
How did listeriosis start in South Africa?