Listeriosis Deaths In Canada Continue To Rise

August 29, 2008 6:53 a.m. EST

Ottawa, Ontario (AHN) - The Public Health Agency of Canada announced that the number of listeriosis deaths throughout the country has reached eight. Three victims from Ontario, previously logged as deaths under investigation, were classified as listeriosis-caused morbidity, said Mark Razienne of the PHAC.

There are 29 confirmed cases confirmed caused by the listeriosis outbreak, while another 36 cases are still under investigation.

The eight deaths were all from Ontario. Seven other cases, four from Ontario and one each in Quebec, British Columbia and Saskatchewan, are still under probe.

On Wednesday, Frances Clark, a suspected victim of listeriosis, was buried at Madoc. The 89-year old woman from eastern Ontario used to live in a nursing home where Maple Leaf Food meat products were served. But health authorities have yet to confirm if Clark's death was caused by listeria or other ailments.