The Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) is working with provincial and local health authorities, Health Canada, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) and the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to investigate a potential North American gastro-intestinal outbreak of Salmonella Carrau. The cause of the potential outbreak is not known at this time.
As of April 17, 2009, there are 30 cases reported across Canada, including two in BC which are currently under investigation. These cases are not associated with recent outbreaks related to peanuts or pistachios.
Salmonella can be found in a variety of foods, including eggs, poultry, unpasteurized milk and contaminated raw fruits, vegetables, sprouts and nuts. Salmonella is the most frequently reported cause of food-related outbreaks of stomach illnesses worldwide. It can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in children, elderly people and those with weakened immune systems. In BC there are 650 to 800 infections caused by Salmonella each year. Salmonella Carrau is a rare type of Salmonella in BC and has not been seen in BC since 2003.
There is an average of 1 or 2 cases of Salmonella Carrau reported in Canada every year, and this strain causes the same illnesses as other species of Salmonella. Symptoms generally occur within six to 72 hours after ingestion of the bacteria through food, water or other environmental sources, and will last two to five days. Symptoms include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal cramps, and fever.
To avoid infection, the BCCDC reminds British Columbians to buy food from approved sources only, and to follow the four C’s of Food Safety:
- CLEAN: wash hands (minimum of 20 seconds), produce and food preparation surfaces;
- Don’t CROSS CONTAMINATE: do not use the same utensils, plates or cutting board for raw meat and raw vegetables or cooked meat;
- COOK: meat, including poultry, should be cooked to an internal temperature of at least 74°C, and eggs until they are no longer runny;
- CHILL: refrigerate food promptly.
If you have symptoms compatible with Salmonella infection, call the 24-hour BC NurseLine at 1-866-215-4700, contact a family physician, or view the BC HealthFiles on Salmonella and Food Safety at www.bchealthguide.org/healthfiles.
