(Montreal) The Public Health Agency of Canada and provincial agencies are investigating an outbreak of salmonellosis cases in eight provinces linked to snakes and rodents used to feed reptiles.
Between February 2022 and February 2024, Health Canada reports 70 cases of Salmonella infection in the provinces of Quebec, Ontario, Alberta, Manitoba, British Columbia, Saskatchewan, New Brunswick and Newfoundland and Labrador.
Nearly half of the reports come from Ontario, while in Quebec, 11 cases have been reported.
In a press release, Health Canada indicates that “many infected people report having had direct or indirect contact with snakes and feeding rodents before the onset of the disease.” Other people who contracted salmonellosis did not directly touch or handle snakes or rodents, but “lived in a house where they were present.”
Symptoms can appear 6 to 72 hours after being exposed to Salmonella bacteria, says Health Canada. They include fever, chills, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, headache and abdominal cramps.
Among the reported cases, ten people were hospitalized and one person died from this illness, reports Health Canada.
The agency points out that infected people remain contagious for several days, and sometimes several weeks, after contracting the bacteria.
To reduce the risk of contagion, Health Canada recommends, among other things, washing your hands thoroughly with soap and water after coming into contact with reptiles, rodents, or their environment. The agency also suggests cleaning surfaces and objects touched by pet reptiles and rodents and avoiding kissing them.
The outbreak is still ongoing and Health Canada urges anyone experiencing symptoms to seek medical attention.