The Public Health Agency of Canada has released a statement in which four provinces (Alberta, British Colombia, Ontario and New Brunswick) are recently experiencing a salmonella outbreak.
The outbreak is attributed to frozen raw chicken products. Provincial public health officials are working with the Canadian Food Inspection Agency and Health Canada to find solutions for this outbreak. SO far, four people have been reported ill in the four provinces. Two of them are hospitalized and so far there are no casualties. The period in which the people fell ill was between the months of April and May.
What is salmonella?
Salmonella is a bacterium which causes food poisoning. It is found in raw chicken and frozen raw chicken products. Infection with salmonella bacterium can be avoided by handling food properly, avoiding cross-contamination and a through hygiene. The infection causes the inflammation of the stomach lining and intestines. You can also get salmonella from several animals such as turtles, iguanas, chicks, dogs or cats and it last usually four days.
Prevention and how to handle the infection
Do not handle or cook food for others if infected.
Wash your hands before and after handling raw meat and poultry, use different knives and cutting boards for meat and vegetables and keep counters clean. The risk of becoming infected is higher on people with a weak immune system, children and elderly citizens. The recovery process usually takes a couple of days in which symptoms such as diarrhea and dehydration occurs. Remember to drink plenty of water and of course seek medical attention if you present symptoms such as fever, chills, abdominal cramps, headache, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.
Keep a close eye on children and adolescents since they usually forget to properly wash their hand after handling pets.
