Ministry of Health reports new listeriosis fatality

SANTIAGO.- According to the information released today by the Ministry of Health, another listeriosis-related death was registered yesterday after an 81 year-old man passed away at the Universidad Católica Clinical Hospital.

Doctor Helia Molina, who is the head of the Public Policy and Promotion Division of the Ministry of Health, stated that a total of seven people have died so far this year as a result of contact with the bacteria.

"He was an 81 year-old elderly man that was suffering from chronic heart problems and was in very dire health condition", indicated Molina. The doctor added that, just as the three cases that were reported yesterday, the man was considered to be at risk.

During an interview with Radio ADN, Molina stated that none of the deaths were linked to the 001 clone strain, which was detected in Doñihue Agrosuper products.

"It is reassuring to know that it is not another flare-up or acceleration of the outbreak", she said.