Two in N.B. fall ill from tainted melons
Salmonella outbreak linked to Malichita and Rudy brand cantaloupes detected in New Brunswick, Public Health Agency of Canada provide is ongoing as situation progresses
An ongoing Salmonella outbreak connected to tainted cantaloupes sold throughout the country has been detected in two cases in New Brunswick.
The Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) issued an alert in late November about Malichita and Rudy brand cantaloupes, reporting an investigation found they were linked to cases of Salmonella illness in five provinces: British Columbia, Ontario, Quebec, Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland and Labrador.
New Brunswick wasn’t among the locations of the reported illnesses at the time, but in an update issued Thursday evening, PHAC advised there were now two reported cases of Salmonella illness in the province.
“As of Dec. 7, there have been 129 laboratory-confirmed cases of Salmonella Soahanina, Sundsvall and Oranienburg illness linked to this outbreak in the following provinces: British Columbia (15), Ontario (17), Quebec (91), Prince Edward Island (2), New Brunswick (2) and Newfoundland and Labrador (2),” the Thursday advisory stated, noting that there were other potential cases under investigation as well.
“Forty-four individuals have been hospitalized. Five deaths have been reported.”
Most of those who have fallen ill were under the age of five years or over the age of 65, PHAC reported, and people became sick between mid-October and mid-November.
Recall warnings were issued for the two brands of cantaloupes, and those who bought the affected products or suspect they might have are advised to throw the fruit out.
The recalled products were distributed in Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Prince Edward Island, Quebec and possibly elsewhere, the agency said.
U.S. agencies are also investigating the outbreak, the advisory said.
Symptoms - which include fever, chills, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, headaches and abdominal cramps - usually arise six to 72 hours after exposure to Salmonella bacteria, and typically last for four to seven days.
“People who are infected with Salmonella bacteria can spread Salmonella to other people several days to several weeks after they have become infected, even if they don't have symptoms,” the advisory said.
“Salmonella can spread by person-to-person contact and contaminated surfaces. Most people who become ill from a Salmonella infection will recover fully after a few days without treatment, but it can also cause severe illness and hospitalization.”
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