Three dead after listeria outbreak as authorities investigate link to NHS hospital
19 March 2025, 11:16 | Updated: 19 March 2025, 14:40
Three people have died after a listeria outbreak, with health authorities investigating a possible link to an NHS hospital.
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The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) and Food Standards Agency (FSA) are investigating five cases of listeria, dating from May-December last year.
Officials suspect they may be linked to desserts served in an NHS hospital, although this has not been confirmed.
The bacteria was found in chocolate and vanilla mousse and a strawberry and vanilla mousse that were sampled in February this year at a hospital.
All five of the people who became ill were aged between 68 and 89, and had other health conditions.
Two of the cases reported were in Yorkshire and Humber, one was in the North West, another in the West Midlands. The fifth was in Wales.
A representative from the UKHSA said: “We are investigating a small number of cases of listeria. The cause of the outbreak isn’t confirmed yet.
"However, 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."
They told MailOnline: "Working with the FSA, 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."
Listeriosis is an infection caused due to food being contaminated with the bacterium listeria monocytogenes.
Symptoms can include high temperature, muscle aches, chills and being sick.
It is particularly dangerous for the elderly, pregnant women and babies.
Most people will only experience mild symptoms and infection is rare.
Tina Potter, head of incidents at the FSA, said: "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.
"The desserts potentially linked to the reported illness are currently being removed from the supply chain.
"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."
Information on the West Midlands Care Association homepage said it had received an FSA alert about Cool Delight Desserts products for the recall of all ice cream, ice cream rolls, mousses and yoghurts.
It said these "products must all be withdrawn from service, and placed in quarantine while investigations are ongoing".
