Public health agency investigating possible salmonella outbreak
Last Updated: Monday, September 29, 2008 | 11:05 AM ET
CBC News
Related
External Links
- Public Health Agency: Salmonella poona outbreak
- Food safety, Canadian Partnership for Consumer Food Safety Education
- Salmonella prevention, Health Canada
(Note: CBC does not endorse and is not responsible for the content of external sites - links will open in new window)
In Depth
Listeriosis
- SPECIAL REPORT: 'I'd never seen anything like this,' expert says of listeria test results
- SPECIAL REPORT: Long-standing problems threaten Canadian food safety, experts warn
- Listeria FAQs
- Listeria timeline
- Listeria symptoms
Foodborne illnesses
Food safety
Environmental considerations
Warnings and advisories
External links
The Public Health Agency of Canada is investigating a potential outbreak of Salmonella poona after six cases and 14 suspected cases have been reported in Canada.
The 14 suspected cases of the relatively rare gastrointestinal illness were reported in Ontario, while the six cases of the same genetic strain were found in Manitoba, Quebec and Nova Scotia, the agency said Sunday.
For this strain, there are an average of 20 cases reported in Canada every year, Philippe Brideau, a spokesperson for the agency, said Monday.
The public health agency said it is working with American and provincial health authorities to identify other potential cases.
An additional 48 cases of salmonella have been reported in the United States.
Source of infection not known
The source of the infection is not known, the Canadian health agency said.
For most people, the risk posed by Salmonella poona is very low, it said in a press release.
Salmonella can be present in a variety of foods, including eggs and poultry, unpasteurized milk, and contaminated raw fruits, vegetables, seeds and nuts.
Symptoms — including vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal cramps and fever — generally occur one to three days after eating tainted food and the stomach illness can then last two to five days.
None of the individuals in the Canadian cases has had to be hospitalized.
The agency is suggesting Canadians take precautions while preparing food, such as washing hands, rinsing food, and ensuring that kitchen utensils and surfaces are properly cleaned. The precautions apply at all times, not just during outbreaks.
Previous outbreaks of S. poona in Canada and the U.S. have been associated with cantaloupes and pet turtles. Reptiles, rodents, amphibians, chicks, ducklings, kittens and hedgehogs are all potential sources of salmonella.
Pet owners should keep their aquariums clean and wash their hands after handling the animals, public health officials in Canada and the U.S. advised.
With files from the Canadian PressShare Tools
Top News Headlines
- Everest victim's husband says family not seeking government help
- The husband of a Toronto woman who died trying to climb Mt. Everest on Saturday says his family is not seeking government help to cover the cost of bringing his wife's body home. more »
- B.C. premier unhappy with disgraced Mountie's transfer
- B.C. Premier Christy Clark says she is not happy with the RCMP decision to transfer a disgraced Alberta Mountie to the West Coast. more »
- Henrique's OT goal sends Devils into Stanley Cup final
- The New Jersey Devils will vie for a potential fourth Stanley Cup in franchise history after defeating the New York Rangers in six games in the Eastern final, courtesy of rookie Adam Henrique's goal early in overtime. more »
- Employment Insurance review boards to be scrapped
- The federal government is scrapping two review boards used by people appealing decisions made about their employment insurance. more »
Latest Canada News Headlines
- Aylmer triple stabbing leads to first-degree murder charges

- The estranged partner of a young mother who was stabbed to death along with her parents at their home in Aylmer, Que., has been charged with first-degree murder Friday. more »
- B.C. premier unhappy with disgraced Mountie's transfer
- B.C. Premier Christy Clark says she is not happy with the RCMP decision to transfer a disgraced Alberta Mountie to the West Coast. more »
- Forest fires still burning near Timmins, Ont.
- A new forest fire is burning north of Highway 101 near Timmins, Ont., creating a new challenge for firefighters who have been working to contain another fire in the area. more »
- RCMP to close labs in Halifax, Winnipeg, Regina
- The RCMP is closing forensic laboratories in Halifax, Winnipeg and Regina and consolidating them with three others in a move the force says will lead to faster, more efficient service. more »
The National
The Current
- What does it take to get fired at the RCMP? May. 25, 2012 5:02 PM After a senior Mountie was demoted for disgraceful conduct including sex with subordinates, exposing himself and drinking on the job, some former employees wonder what you have to do to get fired.
- Aylmer triple stabbing leads to first-degree murder charges
- Everest victim's husband says family not seeking government help
- B.C. premier unhappy with disgraced Mountie's transfer
- Third B.C. salmon farm quarantined
- What a Greek euro exit could mean for Canada
- RCMP officer charged in fatal crash
- Canada ending 'Buffalo shuffle' for visas, closing consulate
- Reclaiming the dead on Mt. Everest
- Employment Insurance review boards to be scrapped

