The Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit is conducting “heightened surveillance” as a national investigation into tainted meat widens in scope.

Officials confirmed Tuesday that a single case of listeriosis in the region has been linked to the outbreak that prompted a massive recall of meats processed by Maple Leaf Foods.

The unidentified individual was elderly and died in early August, though a spokesperson was unable to say whether the death was caused by the bacterial illness.

“We have confirmed today by genetic testing that it was the same strain (as the one) in the outbreak,” said Ann Corner, communicable disease manager.

The agency has issued an advisory urging hospitals, nursing homes and other care facilities to watch for associated symptoms, such as nausea, vomiting, fever, and diarrhea.

Public health inspectors are additionally contacting these institutions, which are also reminded to ensure their inventories do not contain products included in the recall.

“We are watching the situation very closely,” said Terry Dyni, director, community relations at Soldiers’ Memorial Hospital.

Dyni said the hospital does not purchase meat from Maple Leaf Foods.

The deaths of six people in Ontario have been linked to an outbreak of listeria, the bacteria that led to the nationwide recall of meat processed by Maple Leaf Foods.

In nine more cases across the country, people had contracted listeria but health officials had yet to confirm whether it was the cause of death.

Dyni stressed that at no point has Orillia’s hospital received delivery of any of the more than 200 items included on a list of products voluntarily recalled by the company.

“That includes food in the cafeteria or food in the vending machines as well,” he added.

He said that no cases of listeriosis had been reported within the hospital.

Marilyn Hauser, administrator at Leacock Care Centre, confirmed the local long-term care facility had used Maple Leaf products, specifically Sure Slice brand meat.

“The day the information was out we were pulling stuff from the shelves,” she said yesterday.

None of the home’s residents have exhibited signs of the illness, she said.

“We are doing close surveillance of our residents for symptoms,” she added. “We are keeping ourselves aware of information as it comes down the tube to ensure we are providing the best care.”

Houser said the stock of Maple Leaf meat on site prior to the recall was relatively small.

“We actually didn’t have very much on hand,” she added. “We only order for one week at a time or less.”

Leisureworld Caregiving Centres, which operates a long-term care home in Orillia, has also pulled Maple Leaf products from its inventory, said Judy Donnelly, vice-president of public relations.

“We get a report every day and review and ensure our homes are following the directive of the public health unit” she added.

Residents are being monitored for symptoms.

“We are being very cautious,” she added. “If the signs are evident, we will send them immediately to the hospital for assessment.”

The Ontario Association of Food Banks, in a statement released Tuesday, declared the recall “an immediate concern” requiring vigilance on the part of its members.

Food banks are urged to check their inventories against the expanded recall list and destroy any stock affected by the recall.

Don Evans, executive director of the Sharing Place in Orillia, said the local non-profit has determined that its stock does not include any of the products in question.

“We knew it was very unlikely, because the only meat product that we distribute on a regular basis is frozen ground beef from a local supplier, Hewitt Country Meats,” he said.

The health unit was not releasing further details regarding the one reported case of listeriosis in Simcoe Muskoka.

“We are under an obligation to protect a person’s medical health records,” spokesperson Kathy Dermott said.

Serious illness can result when food and drinks contaminated with listeria are consumed, though such cases are rare, the health unit said.

Pregnant women, the elderly and those with weak immune systems are most at risk.

Affected products have 97B printed near the expiry or packaging date.

With files from Torstar