Everything we know about NHS listeria outbreak that has killed patients

Three patients have died amid a listeria outbreak linked to desserts supplied to NHS hospitals and care homes. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) confirmed it has been investigating five linked cases of listeria infection (listeriosis), which can cause vomiting, diarrhoea, aches, and pains and a high temperature.

How many people have been affected?

All five people suffered listeriosis between May and December last year with the UKHSA and the Food Standards Agency (FSA) working to identify the cause. One of the people who died has had their death attributed to listeria. The other two were known to be infected with listeriosis at the time of their death.

The five patients were aged between 68 and 89. All had underlying health conditions and were in hospital at the time of infection. Two were from Yorkshire and Humber, one was in the north-west of England, while another was in the West Midlands and one was in Wales.

What food is the outbreak linked to?

The UKHSA has found a match for the outbreak strain in a particular type of dessert. It is understood the bacteria was detected in a chocolate and vanilla mousse and a strawberry and vanilla mousse both supplied by Cool Delight Desserts. The threshold of listeria found in the desserts is known to be below the legal threshold of what healthy people can tolerate, the PA news agency understands.

However because the desserts are supplied to hospitals and care homes where vulnerable people are cared for and treated a product recall has been issued. The manufacturer of Cool Delight Desserts has said it is unable to comment at this stage. All the desserts are known to have been manufactured at the same site.

What the investigating health agency has said

Dr Gauri Godbole, deputy director for gastrointestinal infections at 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. 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 under way.

"Most people who are affected by listeriosis will have no symptoms or experience mild diarrhoea which subsides in a few days. Those who are more vulnerable like the severely immunocompromised or those with advanced aged can be at risk of severe illness such as meningitis and life-threatening sepsis. Listeriosis in pregnancy can cause very serious illness in mothers and their babies, and in babies up to one month old."

What is listeria?

Listeriosis is a rare infection caused by bacteria called listeria. It usually goes away on its own but it can make some people seriously ill. Listeriosis is usually caused by eating food contaminated with listeria bacteria.

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, newborn 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".