Important Advisory: Nationwide Listeria outbreak impacting LTC facilities

Dear Members:

We want to make sure that you were aware of the advisory from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regarding Listeria bacteria found in frozen shakes served at nursing homes and possibly other types of long term care facilities.  Thus far this outbreak has resulted in 12 deaths and 38 documented illnesses across 21 states.  At this time the FDA and state health officials are uncertain whether Wisconsin has been impacted.  The contaminated frozen shakes were made by Prairie Farms Dairy and marketed under the Lyons ReadyCare and Sysco Imperial brands.

We have enclosed a recent article (View Article Here) from AHCA/NCAL that provides more detail.  Please contact your Department of Health Services regional infection preventionist with any questions that you may have . Thank you for your attention to this important matter.