Two people dead in Listeria outbreak at Nepean retirement home

Two people are dead in connection with a Listeria outbreak at an Ottawa retirement home. 

Ottawa Public Health (OPH) tells CityNews Ottawa that as of 12 p.m. on June 7, there are four confirmed resident cases and no staff cases associated with the outbreak at City View Retirement Community at 151 Meadowlands Drive in Nepean, and two of the confirmed cases are deceased.

“This is an ongoing OPH investigation with support from Public Health Ontario, Public Health Ontario Laboratories (PHOL) and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency,” OPH said in a release. “In order to support this outbreak, OPH has requested and continues to request daily communication from the facility via line lists and phone calls as needed.”

Since May 4, OPH says it has conducted 10 site visits, including multiple food safety compliance inspections and follow-up inspections, and at least one Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point audit. Also, since that date, high risk foods, including deli meats and ready-to-eat cheeses were put on hold at the facility. 

Food and environmental samples have been submitted to PHOL for testing, with final results expected in about two weeks time.