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Hospital patients die in sandwich listeria outbreak Hospital patients die in sandwich listeria outbreak
(32 minutes later)
Three hospital patients have died in an outbreak of listeria linked to pre-packed sandwiches.Three hospital patients have died in an outbreak of listeria linked to pre-packed sandwiches.
Public Health England (PHE) said the victims were among six patients affected in England and the deaths occurred in Manchester and Liverpool.Public Health England (PHE) said the victims were among six patients affected in England and the deaths occurred in Manchester and Liverpool.
Sandwiches and salads linked to the outbreak have been withdrawn and supplier The Good Food Chain has voluntarily ceased production. Two of the victims were at Manchester Royal Infirmary, with the other a patient at Aintree Hospital.
The BBC has approached The Good Food Chain for comment. Sandwiches and salads from The Good Food Chain linked to the outbreak have been withdrawn and production ceased.
Two of the patients who died were being treated at Manchester Royal Infirmary. The third patient was in the care of Aintree University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust.
PHE said the sandwiches and salads affected are no longer being produced while investigations continue.PHE said the sandwiches and salads affected are no longer being produced while investigations continue.
It added the products were withdrawn from hospitals when the links to the infections were first identified.It added the products were withdrawn from hospitals when the links to the infections were first identified.
A spokesperson for the Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust said it offered its "deepest condolences to the bereaved families" and "sincerely regret" that two of their seriously ill patients contracted listeria.
"Although the risk of infection was extremely small, as soon as the Trust was informed of the findings of PHE's investigation, a decision was made to remove the sandwiches that may have been affected from the patient menu as a precautionary measure, and an alternative supplier was established," the spokesperson said.
Dr Nick Phin, deputy director at the National Infection Service at PHE said: "To date, there have been no associated cases identified outside healthcare organisations, and any risk to the public is low."Dr Nick Phin, deputy director at the National Infection Service at PHE said: "To date, there have been no associated cases identified outside healthcare organisations, and any risk to the public is low."
PHE said The Good Food Chain had been supplied with meat produced by North Country Cooked Meats which subsequently produced a positive test result for the outbreak strain of listeria. PHE said The Good Food Chain, based in Staffordshire, had been supplied with meat produced by North Country Cooked Meats which subsequently produced a positive test result for the outbreak strain of listeria.
This business and North Country Quality Foods, who they distribute through, have also voluntarily ceased production.This business and North Country Quality Foods, who they distribute through, have also voluntarily ceased production.
The BBC has contacted North Country Quality Foods for comment. The BBC has contacted The Good Food Chain and North Country Quality Foods for comment.