Listeria Outbreak News Update: Infection Spreads to Connecticut, Missouri

Connecticut and Missouri joined the long list of states affected by Listeria outbreak linked to packaged salads made at a Dole facility in Ohio. Three new cases have been reported since Friday, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

As stated by CDC on Thursday, the Listeria outbreak has already killed one person and hospitalized 15 people, as per CNN. In additional to Connecticut and Missouri cases, one new case was also discovered in New York. The most recent case was diagnosed Jan. 3, according to CDC update.

Packaged salads sold under the names Dole, Fresh Selections, Simple Truth, Marketside, The Little Salad Bar and President's Choice were linked to the outbreak. They were allegedly packaged in a Dole facility in Springfield, Ohio.

Reports about the outbreak started coming out in July 2015. New York has the most number of cases, with Michigan coming in next. One person reportedly died in Michigan. Other states affected by the Listeria outbreak are Indiana, Massachusetts, New Jersey and Pennsylvania.

In a new update to the case, Canada is also reporting some illness, reports Fortune. According to the Public Health Agency of Canada, there are seven people from five Canadian provinces infected with the same strain of Listeria based on laboratory tests done.

Investigation started in September but the source of infection has not been confirmed until earlier this month. The salads collected from the Ohio facility showed positive of Listeria, according to laboratory results.

Dole told CDC it has stopped all production at the Springfield facility following the reports. More so, it voluntarily recalled all salad mixes produced in Springfield, Ohio. More so, products were also recalled in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Minnesota, Mississippi, North Carolina, Ohio, Tennessee, Virginia and Wisconsin.

Three more states from Canada are included in the voluntary recall: Ontario, New Brunswick and Quebec. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced the recall Jan. 22.

There is no evidence that other facilities are contaminated by the bacteria. However, the CDC has warned the public from eating salads under the brand names mentioned.

CDC also noted that these salads are also sold in restaurants. Additionally, packaged salads with manufacturing codes starting with "A" should be thrown away.

Listeria is the bacterium that causes infection that affects the gastrointestinal tract. This severe infection may include symptoms of high fever, abdominal pain and diarrhea, headaches, stiffness and nausea.

Moreover, it is highly dangerous for pregnant women, the elderly and children most especially those with weak immune system. In severe cases, the infection can lead to death.

Check out the video below for more details about Listeria: