French Listeria outbreak spreads to other countries; 2 patients dead

The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) has weighed in on a multi-country outbreak of Listeria monocytogenes with 25 cases.

France has 21 infections since December 2024, including 18 since June 2025. Two people died.

Patients are between 34 and 95 years old and 11 are women. Dates of strain isolation are between Dec. 7, 2024, and July 18, 2025. Epidemiological, microbiological, and traceback investigations led to one French manufacturer producing pasteurized soft cow’s and goat’s milk cheeses.

Investigations are being led by Santé Publique France with help from the National Listeria Reference Centre of Institut Pasteur, the General Directorate of Food (DGAL), and General Directorate of Health (DGS).

Infections in other countries
Belgium, Denmark, the Netherlands, and Norway have recorded four confirmed cases between 35 and 70 years old and occurring between April 14 and July 9. Patients from Belgium, Denmark, and Netherlands reported eating pasteurized soft cheese before getting sick.

A company called Chavegrand has recalled all batches of cheese produced before June 23, 2025. Items were sold under different commercial brands. They can be identified by the health mark FR 23.117.001.

Potentially contaminated products were distributed to about 30 countries including the United States, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Czech Republic, Côte d’Ivoire, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Hong Kong, Hungary, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands, Singapore, Slovakia, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom.

ECDC is monitoring the incident through its network of national contact points and with the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), and the European Commission.

“Contamination of pasteurized soft cheese is a rare event. For the population in good general health status, the overall risk is estimated to be very low: if symptoms occur following infection due to Listeria, light forms of gastroenteritis are expected,” said ECDC.

“Given the long incubation time of listeriosis (usually until 28 days, but could last up to eight weeks), more vulnerable people such as pregnant women, elderly people and people with immune deficiency or with underlying health conditions who are possibly affected should pay attention to signs like fever or severe headache and seek for medical advice without delay.”

About Listeria infections
Food contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes may not look, smell or taste spoiled but can still cause serious and sometimes life-threatening infections. Anyone who has eaten cheese and developed symptoms of Listeria infection should seek medical treatment and tell their doctors about the possible Listeria exposure.

Also, anyone who has eaten any cheese should monitor themselves for symptoms during the coming weeks because it can take up to 70 days after exposure to Listeria for symptoms of listeriosis to develop. 

Symptoms of Listeria infection can include vomiting, nausea, persistent fever, muscle aches, severe headache, and neck stiffness. Specific laboratory tests are required to diagnose Listeria infections, which can mimic other illnesses. 

Pregnant women, the elderly, young children, and people such as cancer patients who have weakened immune systems are particularly at risk of serious illnesses, life-threatening infections, other complications and death. Although infected pregnant women may experience only mild, flu-like symptoms, their infections can lead to premature delivery, infection of the newborn, or even stillbirth.

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Source: https://www.foodsafetynews.com/2025/08/french-listeria-outbreak-spreads-to-other-countries-2-patients-dead/