Malichita cantaloupes linked to Salmonella Outbreak in Canada
1 year ago •source canada.ca
Outbreak
Canada
Update December 7, 2023As of December 7, there have been 129 laboratory-confirmed cases of Salmonella Soahanina, Sundsvall and Oranienburg illness linked to this outbreak in the following provinces: British Columbia (15), Ontario (17), Quebec (91), Prince Edward Island (2), New Brunswick (2), and Newfoundland and Labrador (2). 44 individuals have been hospitalized and 5 deaths have been reported. Individuals became sick between mid-October and mid-November 2023. Individuals became sick between mid-October and mid-November 2023. The investigation is ongoing.
Source: PHAC
Update December 1, 2023
As of December 1, there have been 66 laboratory-confirmed cases of Salmonella Soahanina, Sundsvall and Oranienburg illness linked to this outbreak in the following provinces: British Columbia (13), Ontario (13), Quebec (35), Prince Edward Island (2), New Brunswick (1), and Newfoundland and Labrador (2). 19 individuals have been hospitalized and one death has been reported. Individuals became sick between mid-October and mid-November 2023.
To prevent illness, do not eat, serve, use, sell, or distribute:
- Malichita or Rudy brand cantaloupe
- Any products made with Malichita or Rudy brand cantaloupe
- Any recalled produce
The investigation is ongoing.
Source: PHAC
Update November 24, 2023
As of November 24, there have been 63 laboratory-confirmed cases of Salmonella Soahanina, Sundsvall and Oranienburg illness linked to this outbreak in the following provinces: British Columbia (12), Ontario (12), Quebec (35), Prince Edward Island (2) and Newfoundland and Labrador (2). 17 individuals have been hospitalized and one death has been reported. Individuals became sick between mid-October and mid-November 2023.
On November 24, 2023, CFIA updated the food recall warning to also include Rudy brand cantaloupes sold between October 10 and November 24, 2023. Additional secondary recalls have been issued for products that were made using recalled cantaloupes and for produce items that were processed alongside recalled cantaloupes.
The investigation is ongoing.
Source: PHAC
November 22, 2023
The Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) is collaborating with various health partners to investigate a Salmonella outbreak linked to Malichita brand cantaloupes. As of November 22, there have been 26 laboratory-confirmed cases of Salmonella Soahanina and Sundsvall illness linked to this outbreak in the following provinces: British Columbia (7), Ontario (7), Quebec (8), Prince Edward Island (2) and Newfoundland and Labrador (2). 6 individuals have been hospitalized and no deaths have been reported. Individuals became sick between mid-October and early-November 2023. Additional Salmonella infections are under investigation and more illnesses associated with this outbreak may be confirmed.
Investigations reveal that the consumption of Malichita brand cantaloupe is the likely culprit behind the outbreak. This fact derived from the reports of some affected individuals who admitted to having eaten the cantaloupe before getting sick. Multiple warnings for food recalls were issued, particularly for Malichita brand cantaloupes sold from October 11 to November 14, 2023. The warnings extended to include other fruits processed in proximity to the Malichita brand cantaloupe, such as honeydew, pineapple, watermelon, and various fruit trays.
The U.S. CDC is also investigating an outbreak of Salmonella Sundsvall illnesses linked to cantaloupes that is the same genetic strain as illnesses reported in this outbreak.
Do not consume, serve, use, sell, or distribute Malichita brand cantaloupe, any products made with Malichita brand cantaloupe, or any recalled produce. If you are unable to verify the brand of cantaloupe, or if your produce is part of the CFIA recalls, it is advisable to not consume it.
In case you are experiencing Salmonella symptoms such as diarrhea, abdominal cramps, and fever, it is important to report it. It can help to detect & resolve outbreaks early and prevent others from being harmed, and it enables better surveillance. If symptoms persist, seek medical care.
Source: www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/public-health-notices/2023/outbreak-salmonella-infections-malichita-cantaloupes.html