The Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) has announced the conclusion of a nationwide salmonella outbreak. This outbreak has been associated with ready-to-eat salami products, particularly Rea brand Genoa Salami Sweet and Hot, as well as Bona Brand Mild Genoa Salami. The expected illness dates reported to the agency range from mid-April to early August. As of Friday, they have verified 90 such non-specific cases, covering all 7 provinces.
The outbreak severely impacted the province of Alberta, which reported a total of 69 cases. Ontario came in a close second with 19, and Manitoba and British Columbia each had one case. Through their combined efforts, the first infections were officially reported in mid-April, and the last confirmed cases were seen in early August.
PHAC has noted more than 65 salami and cacciatore products that have been recalled as part of this outbreak. Recall is intended to prevent further public health risk. Consumers should look into their refrigerators for the products and throw them away right away.
The agency has been hammering on the dangers of salmonella. It has the potential to cause severe disease, particularly in infants, the elderly, and immune-compromised persons. Signs of illness If you contract a salmonella infection, the most common symptoms are diarrhea, fever, and abdominal cramps. These symptoms typically appear six hours to six days after infection.
Aside from these withdrawn salami items, PHAC still covers closely the scenario. Alongside health authorities, they’ve been scrambling to determine the source of the contamination and prevent future outbreaks. Even as these investigations continue, consumers should be alert to the food safety practices to take all the time.
