Listeria Outbreak Has No Known Source in U.S.; Likely Source Identified in Canada
A multistate outbreak of Listeria monocytogenes illnesses has affected consumers in the U.S. and Canada. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)’s most recent update confirms 24 illnesses and 22 hospitalizations in 13 states. Two deaths in the U.S. have also been attributed to this outbreak. In Canada, there are seven confirmed Listeria cases. Illness onset dates for both U.S. and Canadian patients date back to 2017.
According to CDC, no specific food item, retailer, or restaurant chain has been identified as the source of this outbreak. As a result, CDC is not recommending that consumers avoid any particular food product, and restaurants and retailers are not being advised to stop serving or selling any particular item.