The British Columbia Center for Disease Control says there have been eight confirmed cases of salmonella in the province since mid-November linked to the consumption of imported melons sold under the “Malichita” label.
In a statement, the BCCDC says all eight cases involved a rare strain of salmonella, and the cases cover people ranging in age from less than one year to 68 years old, living in the Vancouver Coastal Health, Fraser Health and Island regions. Health.
The center says public health investigation into the cases has confirmed the link to the melons, which were sold from Oct. 11 to Nov. 14 in Alberta, B.C., New Brunswick, Newfoundland, Nova Scotia, Ontario, PEI, Quebec and possibly other provinces and territories.
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) had initially recalled the melons on November 1 before updating them. your withdrawal notice to include BC on November 14.
Salmonella infections in British Columbia have been linked to imported melons sold under the “Malichita” label. These melons should be discarded and not consumed. Have more information: https://t.co/qIohVjBE6d pic.twitter.com/X70vIuvZaf
“Genetic sequencing of the salmonella bacteria shows a link between some of the BC cases, the salmonella strain found in the recalled melons, and a cluster of cases in the U.S.,” a statement reads. of the BCCDC.
“BCCDC is collaborating with British Columbia regional health authorities, the Public Health Agency of Canada and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency to continue investigating the outbreak.”
British Columbians are asked to discard Malichita melons that were sold from October 11 to November 14, as well as any other melons if their origin is unclear.
The BCCDC says most people with salmonella poisoning will recover on their own within a week, but anyone with more severe symptoms should call 811 or their local health care provider.
Symptoms of the disease include diarrhea, abdominal pain, and sometimes fever, nausea, and vomiting.
