The death toll from the salmonellosis outbreak has risen
The incidence in Canada has doubled.
A salmonellosis outbreak linked to contaminated Malichita or Rudy brand melon has already sickened 129 people in six Canadian provinces. That number is nearly double the number reported on Dec. 1, when the first fatality was reported. So far, the Public Health Agency of Canada has reported five deaths.
Salmonella is a bacterium that can be found in raw (or semi-raw) chicken, fruits, and vegetables. Salmonellosis caused by it usually manifests itself 6-72 hours after consuming contaminated food. The disease is characterized by a sudden onset of fever, abdominal pain, diarrhea, nausea, and sometimes vomiting. Most people recover on their own within a few days, but sometimes the disease can be severe.
Who got sick and where?
The current outbreak has affected more than a hundred Canadians and 230 people in dozens of U.S. states. It is linked to the spread of contaminated melon sold in October and November. The recalled Malichita brand melon was sold in Canada between October 11 and November 14, and Rudy's brand between October 10 and November 24.
Almost half of those infected in Canada are over 65 years old (at least one person was over 100 years old), and another third are children under the age of five. There have been cases in infants under one year of age.
Territorially, Quebecers are the most affected. A week ago, 35 infected people were reported there, and now there are 91. Also reported about 17 cases in Ontario and 15 in British Columbia. Two infections each were reported in New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, and Prince Edward Island.
Dr. Isaac Bogoch, an infectious disease specialist at Toronto General Hospital, called the current salmonellosis outbreak a major outbreak:
"The number of cases that are diagnosed is really the tip of the iceberg. There are probably many, many, many more cases of milder illness that don't make it to clinical attention."
Experts suspect the contamination started on the farms, either in the soil or during irrigation. They have urged all Canadians to throw out the melons of these brands. It is also best not to eat other fruits from these brands for the time being. If you have symptoms of salmonellosis, you should go to the hospital as soon as possible. Investigations into the causes of infection are continuing in both Canada and the United States.
