Three die in NHS listeria outbreak linked to desserts

THREE people have died due to a listeria outbreak potentially linked to desserts supplied to NHS hospitals and care homes.

- By Jane Kirby

Two more patients have been made ill by the bug, which can cause vomiting, diarrhoea, aches and pains and a high temperature.

All five cases are being investigated by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), which has confirmed they are linked.

It added that it had found a match for the outbreak strain in two mousses made by Cool Delight Desserts. The threshold of listeria found in the chocolate and vanilla and strawberry and vanilla desserts is known to be below the legal threshold of what healthy people can tolerate.

But a product recall for the mousses as well as all ice cream, ice-cream rolls and yoghurts made by the firm has been issued because they are supplied to hospitals and care homes.