A sixth person has died after eating pre-packaged sandwiches and salads linked to a listeria outbreak.

Public Health England said the person fell ill with listeriosis while a patient at Western Sussex Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.

A statement said: “The multi-agency team investigating cases of listeriosis linked to sandwiches and salads can confirm that, since the last update, there has been another death linked to this outbreak. The total number of deaths linked to this outbreak is six.

“The individual who sadly died was one of the nine previously confirmed cases. The individual is considered to have acquired listeriosis from Good Food Chain products while at Western Sussex Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.

“Public Health England continues to test all samples of listeria on an ongoing basis to check if they are linked to this outbreak. To date, we have tested 34 samples and none are linked to the outbreak.

“There have been no new cases of listeriosis linked to this outbreak. Our investigations continue and the public should be reassured that the risk continues to be low.”

Listeria infection is rare and usually causes a mild illness in healthy people.

However, it can have more serious consequences among those with pre-existing medical conditions, pregnant women and those with a weak immune system.