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OTTAWA (AFP) - The death toll from listeria infections remained unchanged at 15. So too was the number of confirmed cases, at 29.

However, officials said they now suspected 36 cases of food poisoning in five provinces may also be linked to the outbreak, up from 31 cases the previous day.

The Public Health Agency of Canada said of the 36 suspected cases being investigated, all were positive for listeriosis, but laboratory tests had not yet linked them to the outbreak strain from a Toronto area facility.

On August 19, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency issued a recall of Maple Leaf sliced corned beef, roast beef, pepperoni, salami, sausages, smoked ham, and turkey thought to be contaminated with the bacteria listeria monocytogenes.

The number of food products recalled has since risen to 220, including packaged sandwiches made with the tainted meat, with a total estimated value of 20 million dollars.

Food contaminated with listeria monocytogenes may not look or smell spoiled, but eating it can cause high fever, severe headache, neck stiffness and nausea.

Pregnant women, the elderly and people with weakened immune systems are particularly at risk. Infected pregnant women may experience only a mild, flu-like illness, but infections can lead to premature delivery or stillbirth.

©AFP