Cantaloupes may have caused salmonellosis outbreaks

The Public Health Agency of Canada says Malichita brand cantaloupes likely caused a salmonellosis outbreak in five provinces.

It says as of Wednesday, there have been 26 confirmed cases in British Columbia, Ontario, Quebec, Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland and Labrador.

Six people were hospitalized.

The agency advises Canadians to throw away a cantaloupe of which they do not know the brand.

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency issued food recalls earlier this month, including for whole cantaloupes, pre-cut cantaloupes and fruit trays using the Malichita brand.

She also recalled certain pre-cut pineapples, honeydew melons and watermelons that were handled alongside Malichita cantaloupes.

Canadian authorities are working with the Food And Drug Administration (FDA) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in the United States, where salmonellosis outbreaks linked to cantaloupes have also occurred.

Symptoms of a salmonellosis infection include fever, chills, vomiting, diarrhea, headache and stomach cramps.

Most people recover in about a week, but young children, the elderly, pregnant people, and people with weakened immune systems are at higher risk of becoming seriously ill.

The Canadian Press’s health content receives funding through a partnership with the Canadian Medical Association. The Canadian Press is solely responsible for editorial choices.

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