Provincial posted Nov 23, 2023 @ 12:45pm by Iain Burns

Dozens of salmonella cases confirmed across Canada as outbreak linked to cantaloupes continues

The Public Health Agency of Canada has issued an update about a salmonella outbreak linked to a brand of cantaloupes.

It said there have now been 26 confirmed cases of the infection in British Columbia, Ontario, Quebec, Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland and Labrador.

Six people have been taken to hospital, but there have been no fatalities.

The outbreak has been linked to imported cantaloupes sold under the label “Malichita.”

<who> Photo credit: CFIA

Those affected are aged between 0 and 100, the agency said.

People have been urged to dispose of affected products immediately.

Anyone uncertain of what brand of cantaloupe they have should throw the fruit out as a precaution, health officials said.

The Public Health Agency of Canada said that “secondary recalls” have also been issued for products made using Malichita cantaloupes as well as for items processed alongside the brand’s fruit.

That recall involves pineapples and watermelons.

"Food contaminated with salmonella may not look or smell spoiled but can still make you sick," the Canadian Food Inspection Agency said.

"Young children, pregnant women, the elderly and people with weakened immune systems may contract serious and sometimes deadly infections. Healthy people may experience short-term symptoms such as fever, headache, vomiting, nausea, abdominal cramps and diarrhea.

"Long-term complications may include severe arthritis."

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