Listeria infection in Netherlands linked to soft cheese; Two killed in France
A person in the Netherlands has been infected with the Listeria bacteria after eating contaminated soft cheese, the European public health agency ECDC reported. Last week, the agency announced that two people in France had died from listeria infections caused by contaminated cheese. At least 21 people became ill in France.
The ECDC disclosed no information about the infected Dutch person’s identity and condition. It reported four cases of Listeria infection from contaminated soft cheese in the Netherlands, Belgium, Denmark, and Norway. The people involved are between the ages of 35 and 70 years old
The infections and deaths in France prompted the recall of over 40 shipments of cheese. The listeria bacteria were found in various soft cheeses with a moldy rind in the country, including Camembert, goat cheese, gorgonzola, and brie.
It is not yet confirmed whether the infections in the Netherlands and other countries originated from the same French cheeses. The ECDC is still investigating the source of the contamination.
A listeria infection is harmless for most people, but can be dangerous for pregnant women, elderly people, and people with weakened immune systems.
