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Hospital said it served recalled meat

BY John Edwards August 27, 2008 17:08

Collingwood General and Marine Hospital announced that some of the deli meats on the recall list were served at the hospital's cafeteria.

This comes on the heels of an outbreak of the virus listeriosis last week.

A massive recall of more than 200 products was launched after listeria bacteria was detected on some of the goods produced at one of Maple Leaf Meats Toronto plants.

Since then, items including deli meats, ready-made sandwiches and other food products have been pulled from shelves.

In a press release, the hospital said these meats were served before the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) issued notice that the meat could contain the bacteria listeria monocytogenes, which causes the virus.

Hospital president and chief executive officer Linda Davis said the meat was served to patients, staff and visitors.

She said the hospital has no way of knowing if any of the meat was contaminated.

The symptoms of listerios include vomiting, nausea, cramps, diarrhea, severe headache, constipation and fever.

To date, there have been no locally reported cases of the virus.

Davis said if residents are experiencing any of the symptoms, they should seek medical attention.

She said physicians in the hospital, especially those working in the emergency department, are on high alert.

According to a letter from Dr. David Williams, Ontario's chief medical officer of health, it can take up to 70 days for symptoms to become noticeable.

"Some infections become severe and develop into an infection of the brain or the lining of the brain and blood poisoning," he said. "Some people only experience mild flu-like symptoms. Symptoms can occur from three to 70 days after eating food contaminated with listeria."

Tolleen Parkin, administrator at Sunset Manor in Collingwood, said the long-term care facility has served some of the products on the recall list.

She said the facility had three cases of meat and 10 slices were missing from one case. Parkin said once they received notice from CFIA, the meat was destroyed.

She said staff at Sunset Manor has been asked to keep a close eye on the condition of the residents and to be on the lookout for possible symptoms.

Six people have died and 29 others have been reported ill across the country possibly as a result of listeriosis.

For more information on the list of recalled products, click the link.

"The CFIA is maintaining the list of affected products as well as any updates or clarifications and I strongly recommend you visit their website daily for the duration of this outbreak," said Williams in his letter to hospital administrators.

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