Based on this available evidence, it is very likely that the malfunctioning can associated with illness had become contaminated with listeria at some time after production but before use. With respect to the tested can that was not associated with illness, it is believed that contamination occurred while being handled at or after the gathering. Although low-level exposure to this bacteria does not usually cause any illness, listeria infection can cause a gastrointestinal illness as occurred in this outbreak. Symptoms such as nausea, abdominal cramping, fever, diarrhea and headache are typical, and sore throat and aching muscles may also occur. This illness can affect people of all ages and appears very similar to more common types of foodborne illness.
Most people probably recover on their own without a specific diagnosis being made.
On rare occasions the same bacteria, Listeria monocytogenes, which caused this gastrointestinal illness, can cause listeriosis a more serious illness that may include meningitis or encephalitis. No specific cause had been identified prior to this outbreak. Special laboratory testing has shown no connection between the previous cases of listeriosis and this outbreak. Please click here for further information on listeriosis and its prevention. Office of the Chief Medical Officer of Health Manitoba Health 4 th Floor 300 Carlton Street Winnipeg MB R3B 3M9 ph.