Three deaths related to Listeria in packaged sandwiches; the public risk is "low"

Three people died in England of listeriosis with a link to the consumption of sandwiches already prepared.

Cases of Listeria infection have occurred in six hospitalized patients in England. No cases have been reported in Scotland or Wales. Patient-related sandwiches and salads were removed and the supplier, The Good Food Chain, voluntarily stopped production for the duration of the investigation.

Patients died at the NHS Foundation Trust of the University of Manchester and at the NHS Foundation Trust of Aintree University Hospital in Liverpool.

Public Health England (PHE), the Food Standards Agency (FSA), the Public Health Wales (PHW), the Food Standards Scotland (FSS), Health Protection Scotland (HPS) and some local authorities are investigating the source of Listeria infections related to packaged sandwiches.

"Together with the FSA, our local authority colleagues and the NHS, we quickly worked to determine the likely cause of this outbreak and took steps to reduce the health risks to the population," said Nick Phin, Deputy Director National Infection Service. at PHE. "To date, no associated cases have been identified outside health care facilities and the risks to the public are low."

Identified outbreak strain
The good food chain was stocked with meat produced by North Country Cooked Meats and the tests revealed a positive result for the epidemic strain of Listeria. This company and the North Country Quality Foods, which they distribute, have voluntarily stopped production.

Affected sandwiches and salads are not manufactured while investigations are ongoing and products have been removed from hospitals when the link to Listeria infections has been identified.

There are an average of 166 cases of listeriosis in England and Wales each year based on figures from 2008 to 2018. There was an average of 46 deaths per year from 2010 to 2016.

Dr. Colin Sullivan, Head of Operations at FSA, said: "We have taken steps in collaboration with local authorities to minimize risks, based on the evidence available to date. The FSA will continue to research the cause of the epidemic and the need for other measures to protect vulnerable groups. "

Listeriosis is an infection caused by the consumption of food contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. The infection is more likely to make pregnant women and their newborns, adults 65 years and older and people with weakened immune systems sick.

Symptoms include fever, muscle aches, sepsis and meningitis. The incubation period is usually from one to two weeks but can range from a few days to 90 days.

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