An outbreak that has sickened dozens in Canada has been traced to products containing pistachios.
As of Aug. 6, there were 52 confirmed patients: 39 in Quebec, nine in Ontario, three in British Columbia and 1 in Mantoba, according to Public Health Canada. Nine of the patients have been hospitalized. The patients range in age from 2 to 89 years old. People became sick between early March and mid-July.
Product recalls related to the outbreak are:
Al Mokhtar Food Centre brand Pistachio
Dubai brand Pistachio & Knafeh Milk Chocolate
The recalled pistachios may have been used and sold in baked goods.
Many people who became sick reported eating pistachios, and products containing pistachios, such as Dubai-style chocolate. The outbreak strains of Salmonella that made people sick were found in samples of the recalled Habibi brand pistachios.
More recent illnesses may continue to be reported because there is a period between when a person becomes sick and when the illness is reported to public health officials. It can take more than a month from the time someone gets sick, sees a doctor, gets tested, and has their results confirmed. For this outbreak, the illness reporting period is between 15 and 55 days after illness onset, according to the health agency.
The actual number of sick people in Canada is likely much higher. Many people have mild symptoms and don’t go to the doctor, so they aren’t tested. Researchers estimate that for each case of Salmonella reported to public health, there are 26 more cases that are not reported.
About Salmonella infections
Food contaminated with Salmonella bacteria does not usually look, smell, or taste spoiled. Anyone can become sick with a Salmonella infection. Infants, children, seniors, and people with weakened immune systems are at higher risk of serious illness because their immune systems are fragile.
Anyone who has eaten any recalled products and developed symptoms of Salmonella infection should seek medical attention. Sick people should tell their doctors about the possible exposure to Salmonella bacteria because special tests are necessary to diagnose salmonellosis. Salmonella infection symptoms can mimic other illnesses, frequently leading to misdiagnosis.
Symptoms of Salmonella infection can include diarrhea, abdominal cramps, and fever within 12 to 72 hours after eating contaminated food. Otherwise, healthy adults are usually sick for four to seven days. In some cases, however, diarrhea may be so severe that patients require hospitalization.
Older adults, children, pregnant women, and people with weakened immune systems, such as cancer patients, are more likely to develop a severe illness and serious, sometimes life-threatening conditions.
Some people get infected without getting sick or showing any symptoms. However, they may still spread the infections to others.
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