Listeria monocytogenes Spain · 2019

Listeriosis outbreak linked to chilled roasted pork, Spain, 2019

WHO reported 222 confirmed cases from 7 July to 13 September 2019, 214 of them in Andalusia, with three deaths among elderly people and six reported miscarriages. The vehicle was a chilled roasted pork meat product sold under the brand La Mechá and produced by Magrudis. Whole genome sequencing at the Instituto de Salud Carlos III found human and food strains shared the same sequence. Andalusian authorities suspended production on 16 August and all Magrudis products were recalled by 28 August.¹

Counts as reported on 13 September 2019.¹ Food vehicle: Chilled roasted pork meat product sold under the brand La Mechá. Company named in official findings: Magrudis.

Timeline

1. 7 July 2019Start of the case period.¹
2. 16 August 2019Andalusian authorities reported the outbreak, suspended production and ordered withdrawal of all batches.¹
3. 20 August 2019Outbreak reported to WHO via INFOSAN.¹
4. 28 August 2019Alert extended to all Magrudis products and all products recalled.¹
5. 16 September 2019WHO published Disease Outbreak News.¹

Regulatory and legal outcomes

1. 16 August 2019Andalusian regional health authorities (as reported by WHO). Suspended production and ordered withdrawal of all batches of the implicated product.¹

Sources

1. World Health Organization, Listeriosis, Spain (Disease Outbreak News) (16 September 2019)