OTTAWA — The number of confirmed deaths from the Listeriosis outbreak that has triggered a series of recalls of processed food products has increased to 11.

Dr Mark Raizenne of the Public Health Agency of Canada says the latest death is from Ontario and `likely occurred in the past several weeks.'

The outbreak so far is either responsible or played a contributing factor in nine deaths from Ontario, one from Alberta and one from B.C.

Another six deaths are suspected and still under investigation.

Health officials have linked the outbreak to processed meat products from a Maple Leaf Foods plant in Toronto.

Maple Leaf issued a recall of virtually all the products produced at the plant and that has in turn sparked dozens of recalls of ready to eat sandwiches made from the Maple Leaf products.