News Release                                                

                                                     For Immediate Release

                                                                                                                       March 14, 2007

Infant Listeriosis in Grey Bruce

Public Health warns pregnant women to avoid consumption of raw milk and unpasteurized dairy products as this may result in listeriosis infection in the newborn. The Grey Bruce Health Unit received a laboratory confirmed report this week of an infant who has contracted the disease. The most likely source of infection is the mother’s consumption of raw milk cheese.

Listeriosis is a reportable infection caused by eating food contaminated with the bacterium Listeria monocytogen. Pregnant women are at a 17 times higher risk than the general population to contract the disease which can then be transferred to the newborn. Individuals with weakened immune systems are also at greater risk. Meningitis, septicemia and focal metastatic disease are associated with listeriosis.

To protect patient confidentiality further details of the status of the mother and child will not be released.

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Attachment: Backgrounder-Listeriosis

For more information:

Dr Hazel Lynn

Medical Officer of Health

Grey Bruce Health Unit

519-376-9420 or 1-800-263-3456 ext. 269