The Public Health Agency of Canada is investigating an outbreak of Salmonella infections in seven provinces. According to the investigation findings, exposure to geckos has been identified as a likely source of the outbreak. Many individuals who became sick reported having direct or indirect contact with geckos or the environments where these pets were kept before their illnesses occurred. Salmonella with the same outbreak strain was found in a gecko habitat from the home of an ill individual. The outbreak is ongoing, as recent illnesses are reported to the Public Health Agency of Canada. As of March 22, 2024, there are 35 confirmed cases of Salmonella Lome illness reported in this outbreak in the following provinces: British Columbia (2), Alberta (2), Saskatchewan (2), Manitoba (2), Ontario (18), Quebec (8) and New Brunswick (1). Individuals became sick between March 2020 and January 2024. Five individuals have been hospitalized. No deaths have been reported. The collaborative outbreak investigation was initiated in March 2024 because of increased reports of Salmonella illnesses in multiple jurisdictions across Canada. Using WGS, it was determined that the same outbreak strain caused some Salmonella illnesses dating back to 2020 as those in 2024.
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The Public Health in Seattle is investigating an outbreak of STEC E. coli O157:H7. Three of the five people who got sick had testing that matched by genetic fingerprinting. Based on the information collected, the one common source for all sick people was store-made guacamole purchased at PCC Community Markets in West Seattle Co-op on February 10, 2024. This outbreak appears to be over. Since February 21, 2024, Public Health found five people who got sick between February 14 and February 28, 2024. All five people had symptoms of STEC. Four people who became sick had testing that was positive for STEC O157:H7. Three people also had further testing, which showed they matched by whole genome sequencing or WGS at the Washington State Public Health Laboratory. One person who became sick did not have any testing done. @ https://kingcounty.gov/en/dept/dph/health-safety/disease-illness/foodborne-illness-outbreaks/2024-march-21-pcc
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On March 21, 2024, the ECDC and EFSA published a report, “Multi-country outbreak of Salmonella Mbandaka ST413 linked to consumption of chicken meat products in the EU/EEA and the UK – first update”. A cross-border outbreak of Salmonella Mbandaka ST413 has been ongoing in the European Union/European Economic Area (EU/EEA) and the United Kingdom (UK) for over two years since September 2021. By March 15, 2024, 300 cases have been reported in Estonia (n=3), Finland (n=98), France (n=16), Germany (n=2), Ireland (n=7), the Netherlands (n=1), and the UK (n=173). Twenty-three cases were hospitalized; six cases had septicemia, and one case died in the UK, indicating that this salmonellosis outbreak is of moderate severity. https://www.ecdc.europa.eu/sites/default/files/documents/ROA_S.%20Mbandaka_2022-33-42_281122_final.pdf
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The FSA reported that Sainsbury is recalling their brand of Flaked Almonds 200g since they may be contaminated with Salmonella. The supermarket has issued a recall notice for batches of By Sainsbury’s Flaked Almonds because Salmonella was found in the product. Point of sale notices will be displayed in stores where the product was sold. @ https://www.food.gov.uk/news-alerts/alert/fsa-prin-10-2024
