The Public Health Agency of Canada is collaborating with provincial public health partners, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency and Health Canada to investigate an outbreak of Salmonella infections involving five provinces: British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, and Quebec. The illness reported in Quebec was related to travel to British Columbia.
The source of the outbreak has not been identified and the investigation is ongoing. Outbreak investigators are gathering information on possible sources and possible ways contamination may have occurred. Many of the individuals who became sick reported eating cucumbers before their illness. However, other potential sources of illness are also being considered. More information is needed to determine the source of the outbreak. The outbreak appears to be ongoing, as illnesses continue to be reported.
Given the evolving nature of this outbreak, the Public Health Agency of Canada is issuing this public health notice to inform residents in western Canada of the investigation findings to date and to share important safe food handling practices to help prevent further Salmonella infections. At this time, there is no evidence to suggest that residents in central and eastern Canada are affected by this outbreak.