The Vancouver Coastal Health Authority is mulling a possible ban of deli meats in its facilities. The move follows a nationwide outbreak of Listeriosis, which has been linked to the deaths of 15 people across Canada.

A 64-year-old patient at a Vancouver Island hospital was among the 15 people who died as a result of exposure to the deadly listeria bacteria contained in some of the products produced at a Maple Leaf food plant in Toronto.

Gavin Wilson, spokesman for VCH which oversees 13 hospitals in B.C., said the authority may take another look at what it serves to patients and residents. But no decision is imminent, he said.

Meanwhile, B.C.'s Provincial Health Officer Perry Kendall says B.C health authorities are working on the assumption that any hospital or other care facility in the province may have gotten contaminated meat from Maple Leaf Foods.

As a result, he says alerts have been sent to all hospitals, residential care and assisted-living homes and licensed child care centres.

The facilities are being told about the expanded recall of Maple Leaf products and to make sure they are no longer using any of the meat.

Kendall says most healthy people exposed to Listeria have a low risk of getting sick, but he's also urging high risk groups, including seniors and pregnant women, to see their doctor if they think they have eaten any tainted meat.