In Canada, the Listeria outbreak linked to salads made at Dole’s plant in Springfield, Ohio has ended after sickening 14 people. All of those sickened were hospitalized, and three of them died, although health officials have not been determined if Listeria contributed to the cause of these deaths. In the U.S., the outbreak is still ongoing with 18 people in nine states sickened and one fatality.
The illnesses in Canada were reported between May 2015 and February 2016 in five provinces: Ontario (9), Quebec (2), New Brunswick (1), Prince Edward Island (1), and Newfoundland and Labrador (1). The average age of those sickened is 78, 64 percent are female.
Lab tests confirmed a link between recalled packaged salad products and the outbreak of listeriosis in five provinces. Recalls were issued in both countries. In Canada, the salads linked to the outbreak were sold under the brand names Dole and PC Organics. In the U.S., the recalled salads were sold under the following names: Dole, Fresh Selections, Simple Truth, Marketside, The Little Salad Bar, and President’s Choice.
Symptoms of a Listeria infection can take as long as 70 days to develop. They include: nausea and diarrhea followed by fever, headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance, and muscle aches. See a doctor and mention exposure to Listeria through this recalled salad if you do experience these symptoms.
Young children, seniors, pregnant women and people with compromised immune systems are most at risk for Listeria infections. Among pregnant women, Listeria can cause miscarriage, stillbirth, premature delivery and illness in newborns.
