Two people have died after being sickened with listeriosis, as part of a wider set of cases linked to plant-based beverages that prompted a recall.
Health Canada reported the deaths in an advisory issued Wednesday night, which have occurred out of 12 listeriosis cases — 10 in Ontario, and one each in Quebec and Nova Scotia, according to the federal agency’s count — that are under investigation.
Earlier this month, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency recalled certain Silk and Great Value brands of oat, almond and coconut refrigerated beverages over possible Listeria monocytogenes contamination.
Listeria monocytogenes is a type of bacteria that can cause listeriosis, a rare but serious illness with symptoms that may start suddenly and include vomiting, nausea, cramps, severe headache, constipation or fever. More severe illness may result in the brain infection meningitis and blood infection in newborns and older adults.
In recent years, about 134 cases of invasive listeriosis have been reported annually in the country, according to the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC). Of these, Public Health Ontario reported 75 cases in 2023, including 14 deaths.