Canada

Quebec reports 1st listeriosis death, recalls 11 cheeses

The Quebec government has ordered the recall of 11 cheeses because they may contain the listeria bacterium.

The Quebec government has ordered the recall of 11 cheeses because they may contain the listeria bacterium.

The province said Saturday that one person had died and 14 others were sent to hospital because of listeriosis.

 The recalled cheeses
 Le Rang des Iles 
 Le 14 Arpents
 Les Petits Vieux
 Le Gédéon
 Le Médard
 Le Couventine
 Le Cabrouet
 Les Cailles
 Le Fleur de Lysé 
 Le Fou du Roi
 Le Rassembleu

Health officials said there could be as many as 24 cases.

Eight of the recalled products are made by the dairy Medard de Saint-Gédéon in the Lac-St-Jean area. They were packed after July 12.

The Fromagiers de la table ronde in Ste-Sophie made the other three cheeses. They were recalled Thursday and were packed after July 14.

The CBC's French-language arm, Radio-Canada, reported Thursday that the government had launched a special investigation of certain Quebec dairy factories.

The Quebec death and infections are not yet reflected in the national totals. The Public Health Agency of Canada website said that as of late Friday, there were 38 confirmed listeria cases, 20 suspected and 13 confirmed deaths.

In Quebec, it said there were two confirmed cases, nine suspected and no deaths. There was one death being investigated in Quebec, it reported.

With files from the Canadian Press