The Government of Canada has issued a public health notice regarding an outbreak of extensively drug-resistant Salmonella infections linked to raw pet food and contact with cattle. Many of the individuals who became sick are children 5 years of age or younger. Illnesses associated with this outbreak strain may be difficult to treat with commonly recommended antibiotics, if antibiotic treatment is needed.
As of Saturday there are 40 confirmed cases of this particular strain of salmonella illness in six provinces including Manitoba (1), Ontario (14), Quebec (21), New Brunswick (1), Nova Scotia (2), and Prince Edward Island (1). Individuals became sick between July 2020 and September 2023. Thirteen people have been hospitalized and no deaths have been reported. Just under half -43 per cent- of the cases are in children 5 years of age or younger. About half of the cases -53 per cent – are female. The outbreak is ongoing, as recent illnesses continue to be reported.
Based on the investigation findings to date, two sources have been identified including exposure to raw meat prepared for pets (raw pet food) has been identified as a likely source for some of the illnesses reported in this outbreak. Some of the individuals who became sick reported exposure to raw pet food, or to dogs fed raw pet food, before their illnesses occurred. A single common supplier of raw pet food has not been identified. Contact with cattle, particularly calves, has also been identified as a likely source for some of the illnesses reported in the outbreak.
Always use safe food handling practices when preparing, cooking, or storing raw pet food to prevent illness. Practice good hand hygiene and frequent handwashing after contact with dogs fed raw pet food, cattle, and their environments. Symptoms typically start 6 to 72 hours after exposure to Salmonella bacteria, and usually last for 4-7 days and may include fever, chills, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, headache, and abdominal cramps.
More information provided by Public Health Agency of Canada:
The Salmonella strain associated with this outbreak investigation is extensively drug-resistant, which means it’s resistant to all commonly recommended antibiotics (ceftriaxone, azithromycin, trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole, ampicillin, and ciprofloxacin). This outbreak strain is also resistant to older antibiotic drugs (aminoglycosides, chloramphenicol, and tetracycline). Illnesses resulting from this outbreak strain may be difficult to treat with commonly recommended antibiotics, if antibiotic treatment is considered necessary.
Contact with pets or pet food
-Use dedicated dishes and utensils to serve your pet and wash them separately from other dishes and utensils.
-Store all pet food and treats away from where human food is stored or prepared and away from reach of young children. Pick up treats and food bowls when your pet is done with them.
-Raw pet food may need to be stored frozen or refrigerated. If thawing raw food:
-Keep your pet’s food away from human food
-Place it in a sealed, clean container that will hold any juices that may leak out
-Thaw only as much as needed
-Thaw on the bottom shelf of the refrigerator
-Do not re-freeze food after thawing
-Don’t allow your dog to lick your face, mouth, or open wounds.
Contact with cattle
-Always wash your hands before and after you touch cattle, or anything in the areas where they live, roam or eat. Wash with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds. Use an alcohol-based hand rub if soap and water are not available.
-If visiting a farm or petting zoo, wash your hands when you leave animal areas, even if you did not touch the animals directly.
-Do not eat or drink around cattle. Keep food and drinks away from animal areas.
-Always supervise children around animals, such as cattle. Do not let children put their fingers or objects (like pacifiers) in their mouths when they are around animals or in an animal area.
