The Australian Department of Health has issued a press release stating that there are 18 cases of Listeria monocytogenes linked to soft cheeses. Two men, one 84 and the other 44, have died as a result of their infections, and one woman suffered a miscarriage. Jindi manufactured cheeses, sold at delis and supermarkets in that country, have been linked to the outbreak.
All soft and semi-soft cheeses products at the Jindivick plant manufactured up to and including January 6, 2013 have been recalled. Those products include Wattle Valley 110 g brie and camembert and Jindi 125 g brie and camembert with best before dates up to 2/27/13. Jindi 120 g blue brie and 120 g triple cream blue with best before dates up to 2/28/13 are recalled, along with Top Paddock and Blue Cow 1 kg brie with best before dates up to 3/27/13. Jindi, Wattle Valley, and Harris Farm 200 g camembert with best before dates up to 3/20/13 are recalled, and Coles Finest triple cream blue 140 g with best before dates up to 2/21/13 are recalled.
Eight of the patients are from Victoria, six from NSW, two from Queensland, and one each from Tasmania and Western Australia. Seven new cases were reported to the Health Department this past week. Public health officials visited the Jindi factory in Jindivick on Wednesday, January 16, and were satisfied that the proper processing, hygiene, and monitoring processes were being followed from January 7, 2013 on.
Since the symptoms of listeriosis can take up to 70 days to appear, it can be very difficult to identify the sources of these infections. Listeria infections have symptmos including fever, headache, tiredness, aches, and pains. The bacteria can cause miscarriages and stillbirth in pregnant women, who may have only very mild symptoms.
