In a follow-up to a story last week, Canadian health officials said yesterday the multi-province Salmonella outbreak has increased by seven cases.
In addition, the number of provinces reporting cases in this outbreak has increased to four as Manitoba has reported their first case.
Currently there are 41 cases of human illness under investigation in four provinces: Alberta (22), British Columbia (14), Saskatchewan (4), and Manitoba (1). Seven people have been hospitalized, and all individuals have recovered or are recovering. Individuals became sick between April 5 and May 23, 2015, and all have reported contact with live baby poultry including chicks, turkey poults and goslings.
Many individuals reported purchasing live poultry by mail-order or from feed supply storefronts for backyard flocks to produce eggs or meat. Poultry varieties commonly reported include: broiler chickens (meat birds) such as Cornish Giants; egg layers; dual-purpose breeds and turkeys. Traceback investigations have indicated that these birds were ordered from Miller Hatcheries and Rochester Hatchery catalogues. Both catalogues ship birds supplied by a single hatchery in Alberta.
Health officials say if you have been in contact with any live poultry and develop symptoms of a Salmonella infection that persist or are severe, you should consult a health professional and mention your exposure to live poultry.
