August 30, 2008 at 9:39 PM EDT
OTTAWA — The confirmed death toll of the listeriosis outbreak rose to 10 Saturday as federal health officials blamed the outbreak for a death that occurred in Alberta, the first such fatality from that province.
Kristen Woboditsch, 36, of Grande Prairie, Alta., died in mid-August but the listeriosis link was only confirmed by Alberta Health officials in a phone call to her mother on Friday night.
“I think everybody thinks the same thing – it won't happen to me,” Mary Hicks of South River, Ont., told CTV News on Saturday. “But unfortunately, it does happen to everyday people.”
She said finding out left her with “anger and grief, all mixed up together.”
While she said the knowledge provides some closure, it also raises many questions.
“All the food-borne illnesses that are floating around this country of ours – there's anger toward that, that Canadians have to be subjected to this type of lackadaisical attitude toward food safety.
“I want her death to be counted, and for people to know this is a real hazard out there.”
Dr. Gerry Predy, Alberta's chief medical health officer, said Ms. Woboditsch had other health problems and added he couldn't pinpoint whether listeriosis was the direct cause of death or just a contributing factor.
“Whether listeria was the actual cause or the underlying cause is very difficult to determine,” he said.
Six other deaths – four in Ontario and one each in Saskatchewan and Quebec – remain under investigation for possible links to the outbreak.
In total, 31 cases across the country have been conclusively linked to the outbreak, and an additional 32 suspected cases remain under investigation.
Health officials have linked the outbreak to meat products from Maple Leaf Foods – the company launched a massive recall of products from a Toronto plant earlier this month.
Maple Leaf took out full-page ads in newspapers Saturday, in which president Michael McCain said it was the company's expectation that all recalled products had been removed from store shelves.
Meanwhile, health officials added more products to the list of recalled items Friday night.
Dr. Brian Evans, execute vice president of the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, said while it may seem that the list of recalled products is growing, the additional recalls reflect the fact that several different products were made from the recalled meat.
“Many of our recalls relate to products such as sandwiches and pre-packaged meats carrying best-before dates that have now already expired,” Dr. Evans said at a news conference Saturday afternoon.
“Nevertheless, in the public interest and in the interest of openness, we feel it is important that such info is visible.”
A complete list of the recalled products is available at www.inspection.gc.ca.
That death is in my area.
There was also two little kids who where air lifted to Vancouver Hospital from my town.
We've thrown out 300 dollars worth of meat and cheese.
And my mom is getting sick which is scary because shes a single parent.
I have eaten some stuff on the list so I really hope I dont die.
God damn listeria.
OTTAWA — The confirmed death toll of the listeriosis outbreak rose to 10 Saturday as federal health officials blamed the outbreak for a death that occurred in Alberta, the first such fatality from that province.
Kristen Woboditsch, 36, of Grande Prairie, Alta., died in mid-August but the listeriosis link was only confirmed by Alberta Health officials in a phone call to her mother on Friday night.
“I think everybody thinks the same thing – it won't happen to me,” Mary Hicks of South River, Ont., told CTV News on Saturday. “But unfortunately, it does happen to everyday people.”
She said finding out left her with “anger and grief, all mixed up together.”
While she said the knowledge provides some closure, it also raises many questions.
“All the food-borne illnesses that are floating around this country of ours – there's anger toward that, that Canadians have to be subjected to this type of lackadaisical attitude toward food safety.
“I want her death to be counted, and for people to know this is a real hazard out there.”
Dr. Gerry Predy, Alberta's chief medical health officer, said Ms. Woboditsch had other health problems and added he couldn't pinpoint whether listeriosis was the direct cause of death or just a contributing factor.
“Whether listeria was the actual cause or the underlying cause is very difficult to determine,” he said.
Six other deaths – four in Ontario and one each in Saskatchewan and Quebec – remain under investigation for possible links to the outbreak.
In total, 31 cases across the country have been conclusively linked to the outbreak, and an additional 32 suspected cases remain under investigation.
Health officials have linked the outbreak to meat products from Maple Leaf Foods – the company launched a massive recall of products from a Toronto plant earlier this month.
Maple Leaf took out full-page ads in newspapers Saturday, in which president Michael McCain said it was the company's expectation that all recalled products had been removed from store shelves.
Meanwhile, health officials added more products to the list of recalled items Friday night.
Dr. Brian Evans, execute vice president of the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, said while it may seem that the list of recalled products is growing, the additional recalls reflect the fact that several different products were made from the recalled meat.
“Many of our recalls relate to products such as sandwiches and pre-packaged meats carrying best-before dates that have now already expired,” Dr. Evans said at a news conference Saturday afternoon.
“Nevertheless, in the public interest and in the interest of openness, we feel it is important that such info is visible.”
A complete list of the recalled products is available at www.inspection.gc.ca.
That death is in my area.
There was also two little kids who where air lifted to Vancouver Hospital from my town.
We've thrown out 300 dollars worth of meat and cheese.
And my mom is getting sick which is scary because shes a single parent.
I have eaten some stuff on the list so I really hope I dont die.
God damn listeria.
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