Global Courant 2023-04-15 01:22:41
The Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) warns against an outbreak of salmonella in eight counties linked to snakes and the rodents they used to feed on.
The health department says it is working with provincial health authorities to combat persistent infections as new cases continue to be reported.
PHAC says there are 45 confirmed cases of salmonella in the country as of April 13. The affected people fell ill between February 2022 and March 2023.
Here’s where every known case of the disease is in Canada so far, by province:
Ontario – 22 Quebec – 11 Alberta – 5 Manitoba – 3 British Columbia – 1 Saskatchewan – 1 New Brunswick – 1 Newfoundland and Labrador – 1
PHAC says several sick people had direct or indirect contact with snakes and rodents that fed the reptiles before they got sick.
So far, one person has died of Salmonella disease and nine people have been hospitalized. Of the 45 people who have salmonella, nine are children under the age of five.
“Using a lab method called whole genome sequencing, some Salmonella diseases dating back to 2022 were found to have the same genetic type as those that occurred in 2023,” reads a PHAC post.
Anyone can get salmonella, but according to PHAC, young children, older adults, pregnant people or people with weakened immune systems are at higher risk of becoming seriously ill.
Most people infected with salmonella get better after about four to seven days, PHAC says, and some may not feel sick at all but can still spread the disease to others.
“Reptiles and rodents can carry salmonella. You can get sick with salmonella by touching reptiles and rodents, their food and their environment and then touching your face, eyes or mouth without washing your hands,” reads a statement from the PHAC.
To protect yourself from getting salmonella, PHAC says to follow these guidelines:
Always wash your hands after being near or touching a reptile or rodent, as well as anything they eat. Clean everything your reptile or rodent touches with soapy water and disinfectant. Never kiss a pet rodent or reptile. visit the government website.
Symptoms of salmonella contamination include fever, chills, diarrhoea, abdominal cramps, headache, nausea and/or vomiting. You usually start feeling them six to 72 hours after you’ve been exposed to the bacteria. In some cases you may need to be hospitalized for a serious illness and/or you may need antibiotics to fight the infection.
PHAC says anyone with symptoms or an underlying medical condition should contact their healthcare provider if they believe they have a salmonella infection.
