Potential North American Outbreak of Salmonella Poona Being Investigated

The Public Health Agency of Canada is working with provincial and local health authorities to investigate a potential North American gastro-intestinal outbreak of Salmonella Poona.

The Public Health Agency of Canada is working with provincial and local health authorities as well as the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to investigate a potential North American gastro-intestinal outbreak of Salmonella Poona. To date, in Canada, there have been 6 cases spread across Manitoba, Quebec and Nova Scotia with the same genetic fingerprint, and 14 other suspected cases in Ontario. No one has been hospitalized so far. The cause of the potential outbreak is not known at this time. Provincial laboratories and the Agency's National Microbiology Laboratory are conducting ongoing analyses to determine if other Salmonella Poona cases share the same genetic fingerprint as those identified thus far. The number of cases associated with this outbreak may increase. Although Salmonella is the most frequently reported cause of food-related outbreaks of stomach illnesses worldwide, Salmonella Poona is relatively rare. Salmonella Poona causes the same illnesses as other species of Salmonella. Symptoms generally occur in one to three days after eating tainted food, and will last two to five days. Symptoms include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal cramps, and fever. It can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in some people, such as children, elderly people and those with weakened immune systems. People from these at-risk groups who may have experienced symptoms should consult their healthcare provider. Salmonella can be present on a variety of foods, including eggs and poultry, unpasteurized milk and contaminated raw fruits, vegetables, seeds and nuts.