OTTAWA – The Public Health Agency of Canada says it’s investigating an outbreak of salmonella in British Columbia, Alberta and Saskatchewan linked to live chicks from an Alberta hatchery.
Thirty-four people reported getting sick — 17 in Alberta, 13 in B.C. and four in Saskatchewan — between April 5 and May 12.
Alberta Health said Tuesday the number of cases in the province has risen to 23, with 10 cases involving persons under the age of 18. Two of the 23 cases resulted in persons being hospitalized but have since been released.
Alberta Agriculture is working with the unnamed hatchery to determine the source of the infection, and says the hatchery is sending out letters to its customers who have placed orders for live baby poultry beginning March 1. The department is also reaching out to Alberta petting zoos to make sure they are aware of the situation and explain what they can do to reduce any risks.
Alberta Agriculture is providing petting zoo and animal attraction operators with an Alberta Health Services fact sheet on best practices.
Symptoms of salmonella include fever, chills, diarrhea, abdominal cramps, headache, nausea and vomiting.
The public health agency says warns people should always wash their hands after handling live birds, and should never “snuggle or kiss the birds.”
Those at highest risk for infection are children under the age of five, pregnant women, the elderly and those with weaker immune systems.
“Young children are at higher risk of infection because they often enjoy handling and interacting with live baby poultry and may not wash their hands before putting their fingers or other contaminated items in or near their mouths,” says the agency.
“If infected, young children are also at increased risk for serious illness because their immune systems are still developing.”
*With files from Global news
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