A P.E.I. man diagnosed in August with listeriosis did not contract the bacteria from the outbreak connected to a Maple Leaf plant in Toronto.

That outbreak resulted in 17 deaths and led to a nationwide recall of dozens of meat products.

Dr. Lamont Sweet, P.E.I.'s acting chief health officer, said test results received Thursday show the Island man was infected with a different strain of the bacteria.

"We could not get a story of the patient ever having consumed any of the food in the recall, which puzzled us," said Sweet.

"If it were positive, then it would mean that someone in the province could easily have consumed the same food and we might still be getting more cases. From that point of view it is good news."

Island health officials had to wait weeks to get results from the National Microbiology Laboratory in Winnipeg.

Sweet said the patient is recovering in hospital and is doing well.

P.E.I. only gets a case of listeriosis every two years.