A Salmonella outbreak linked to food served in hospitals in Gran Canaria has affected 17 people.
The Ministry of Health reported that nine patients were being treated at Gran Canaria University Hospital and eight at the Hospital Juan Carlos I. Gran Canaria is one of the Canary Islands.
The General Directorate of Public Health of the Canary Islands initially said 11 people had been sickened.
Three people have been discharged from hospitals, and another seven have been given the all-clear after overcoming the symptoms of food poisoning. However, they will remain in hospitals because of other underlying conditions.
Officials have started analyzing food samples and samples taken from patients.
The hospital kitchen service, which serves both hospitals, has stopped the distribution of items suspected of being the source of the foodborne outbreak to prevent further infections.
In a separate incident, about 100 people have fallen ill at a hotel in La Manga.
The Ministry of Health (Consejería de Salud) in Murcia said illnesses were reported in people staying at the Hotel Cavanna. Testing of samples from patients have confirmed that the causative agent is Salmonella.
Authorities have ordered a precautionary suspension of the hotel’s kitchen operations as well as the thorough cleaning and disinfection of the facilities.
(To sign up for a free subscription to Food Safety News, click here)