The Region - News from Aug. 13, 1985

The listeriosis epidemic that claimed 43 lives and caused more than 100 illnesses in Los Angeles County appears to have ended. Department of Health Services spokeswoman Toby Milligan said no new cases have been reported in the past 15 days. The epidemic was blamed on contamination of a Mexican-style cheese manufactured by the now-defunct Jalisco Mexican Products Inc. Milligan said that of the cases studied, 27 involved the death of fetuses or newborn infants, while the other fatalities involved older children or adults. Health Services Director Robert Gates said the epidemic produced a large amount of information on treatment of listeriosis. “Another positive outcome . . . is the developing reform of the regulation and inspection practices in the manufacture of dairy products,” he added.