The Canadian Food Inspectorate Agency reports that more than two dozen people have been infected with food and dog treats for dogs.
Most of the 27 epidemic patients live in Alberta and British Columbia. There are 13 confirmed patients in the laboratory in Alberta and 12 in British Columbia, with a case each in Ontario and the Northwest Territories.
The agency claims that dog food and treats are the probable source and that pet food can be contaminated by bacteria without visible signs. People can get sick in contact with a dog or by handling their food, even if the animal seems to be good.
The patients were confirmed from mid-February in mid-August. There were six hospitalizations but no reported deaths.
Public health officials say that there are probably many more sick people who have not been identified as epidemic patients. Indeed, some people do not consult medical care and others are not specifically tested for salmonella infection. For each Salmonella patient confirmed in an epidemic, there are approximately 29 which are not detected.
The agency has not identified the specific brand of contaminated food or treats, but it warns that people should practice good hygiene and hand washing after contact with dogs, food and treats.
On Salmonella infections
Foods contaminated by Salmonella bacteria do not look, do not feel, nor the spoiled taste. Anyone can become sick of a salmonella infection. Infants, children, the elderly and people with weakened immune systems are more at risk of serious illness because their immune system is fragile, according to the CDC.
Anyone who has manipulated food or dog treats and developed symptoms of salmonella infection should consult a doctor. Patients should inform their doctors of the possible exposure to salmonella bacteria, as special tests are necessary to diagnose salmonellosis. Salmonella infection symptoms can imitate other diseases, frequently leading to an erroneous diagnosis.
Symptoms of salmonella infection may include diarrhea, abdominal cramps and fever within 12 to 72 hours after eating contaminated foods. Otherwise, healthy adults are generally sick for four to seven days. In some cases, however, diarrhea can be so serious that patients need hospitalization.
Older adults, children, pregnant women and people with weakened immune systems, such as cancer patients, are more likely to develop serious disease and serious, sometimes fatal conditions.
Some people are infected without falling ill or obviously symptoms. However, they can still disseminate infections to others.
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