Listeriosis Outbreak Death Count Rises To 26, 35 More Cases Under Probe

August 26, 2008 12:00 a.m. EST

Toronto, Ontario (AHN) - Health authorities in Canada put the total number of deaths from a listeriosis outbreak to 26 on Monday. Thirty-five other cases of the bacterial infection are suspected to be related to the outbreak.

The Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) said Monday three more people died from listeriosis in Ontario, bringing the total deaths nationwide to 26.

The agency reported three similar deaths in the province last week. Five more listeriosis deaths in Ontario and one in British Columbia are still being confirmed Monday, PHAC director-general Mark Raizenne said during a press conference in Ottawa.

Another 29 suspected cases are under investigation to determine if they're linked to the outbreak. "All the suspect cases have been diagnosed with listeriosis, but it is only via laboratory testing, the genetic fingerprinting, that we can determine if they are directly linked" to the outbreak, Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz told the Globe and Mail.

Twelve of the deaths have been linked to listeria-tainted packed meat of Maple Leaf Foods. The firm has recalled the products distributed to stores and nursing homes and has shut down its meat processing plant indefinitely.

Meanwhile, victims of the food poisoning are preparing a class action suit against Maple Leaf.