There are likely a large number of worried bologna eaters in Canada today. A serious outbreak of listeriosis has prompted a large recall of Maple Leaf Foods meat products.

Listeria monocytogenes is an uncommon but serious cause of food-borne illness that is particularly worrisome for immunocompromised people and expectant mothers. We see very few cases of this infection in Newfoundland (I can only remember 2 in the 14 years I have been overseeing the microbiology laboratory in St. John’s). There have been no cases associated with this recent outbreak identified here.

Illness in pregnancy is very non-specific, usually “flu like” with fever. Any pregnant woman with a fever should be evaluated by their doctor and culture of blood undertaken. Listeriosis in pregnancy is diagnosed by finding the bacterium in blood. Antibiotic treatment is highly effective and prognosis for mother and baby is good.