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One person has died as a result of a listeria monocytogenes outbreak in Ontario. Another 16 people are sick, according to The Public Health Agency of Canada.

The agency added that ready-to-eat meat products are being investigated as a possible source.

Also this week, Maple Leaf Foods expanded its recall of deli meat products and temporarily closed a plant where products suspected of listeria contamination were made. Maple Leaf and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency have warned the public to avoid these products.

"The outbreak has not been definitely linked to Maple Leaf products," said Michael Tansey, Public Health Agency of Canada Media Relations Chief. "Further testing is ongoing. Who's to say what that testing will reveal?"

According to the Meatingplace.com report, it will be at least a couple of days before test results will be confirmed.

To date, there are 17 confirmed cases of the outbreak strain of listeria in four provinces, including 13 in Ontario, two in British Columbia, one in Saskatchewan and one in Quebec.