Cluster of listeriosis cases in France

A cluster of eight cases of Listeria monocytogenes infection with the same serotype and pulsed field gel; electrophoresis (PFGE) profile has been identified by the surveillance scheme operated by the Institut de Veille Sanitaire (national institute for health surveillance) and the national Listeria reference centre at the Institut Pasteur, Paris, since 29 May 2002 (1). The first two strains were isolated in week 22 (27 May-2 June), two more were isolated in week 23 (3-9 June), and four were isolated in week 24 (10-16 June).