Listeriosis has been named as the direct cause of one of the deaths, while two other people were infected with Listeria bacteria at the time of their death.
Two other non-fatal cases have also been identified, with all five people in hospital at the time of infection.
In response, the Food Standards Agency (FSA), UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), NHS, Department of Health and Social Care and several local authorities are investigating the cause of the Listeria outbreak, which has been traced back to desserts served by NHS Trusts and certain other healthcare settings.
Listeria was found in a chocolate and vanilla mousse and a strawberry and vanilla mousse that had been served to patients. The desserts were all manufactured at the same site.
“The desserts potentially linked to the reported illness are currently being removed from the supply chain,” said Tina Potter, head of incidents at the FSA.
“The food business that supplied the products are undertaking a product withdrawal, as a precaution. The cause of contamination is being investigated, and the local authority is working with the business to ensure appropriate action is taken to protect public health.”
In order to protect vulnerable consumers, the FSA has issued a Food Alert for Action to local authorities, requesting that they take urgent action to ensure any contaminated products have been withdrawn.
In the UK, it is the legal responsibility of food businesses to ensure that appropriate hygiene and food safety controls are in place to reduce the risk of Listeria contamination.
Symptoms of listeriosis can be similar to flu and include high temperature, muscle ache or pain, chills, feeling or being sick and diarrhoea. However, in rare cases, the infection can be more severe, causing more serious complications.
“Listeria generally causes only mild illness, but some people are at a higher risk of serious infection including those who are pregnant, new-born babies, people with weakened immune systems and people over 65, and this risk increases with age,” added Potter.
Dr Gauri Godbole, deputy director for gastrointestinal infections, food safety and one health at the UKHSA, explained that a cause of the outbreak has not yet been identified.
“Our laboratory testing has identified a potential link to a particular type of dessert, which is not available from retailers but is served in some NHS Trusts,” Dr Godbole said.
“Working with the Food Standards Agency, on a precautionary basis, we have advised NHS Trusts and those providing care to vulnerable people to stop serving these desserts while investigations are underway.”
