No known connection between Listeria deaths in Bay of Plenty and Hawkes Bay
On Monday the Ministry for Primary Industries issued a food recall notice in conjunction with a Hawkes Bay food company.
This recall was a result of investigations carried out by the Hawkes Bay Public Health Unit during their follow-up of four cases of listeria infection which were notified to them during May and June. These investigations were strongly suggestive of a link between some of the Hawkes Bay cases and food prepared by the named company.
Toi Te Ora - Public Health Service of the Bay of Plenty District Health Board was notified of two cases of listeria in the Bay of Plenty at the beginning of July.
“We are confident both local cases contracted their listeria illness in the community and were then admitted to Tauranga Hospital for treatment of it. Unfortunately one of the local cases died from their listeria illness,” says Dr Phil Shoemack, Medical Officer of Health.
“We’ve been liaising closely with our colleagues in the Hawkes Bay and extensive investigations show no apparent link between the Bay of Plenty cases and Hawkes Bay cases. The Ministry of Primary Industries has assured us that the company involved with the recall of food in Hawkes Bay does not distribute any products in the Bay of Plenty,” says Dr Phil Shoemack.
“In addition, the company which manages the kitchens in Tauranga Hospital have informed us that they have not purchased either directly or indirectly any of the recalled foods,” Dr Shoemack said.
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