Forty individuals—seventeen of them children under five years of age—have been infected with an extensively drug-resistant strain of Salmonella, according to the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC).
Thirteen people have been hospitalized.
Outbreak illnesses have been reported by six provinces: Manitoba (1), Ontario (14), Quebec (21), New Brunswick (1), Nova Scotia (2), and Prince Edward Island (1).
The earliest cases date back to 2020, with most of the 40 cases reported in 2022 and 2023.
Exposure to raw pet food—or to dogs fed with raw pet food—has been identified as a likely source for at least some of the illnesses. Contact with cattle has also been identified as a likely source.
The outbreak strain was recovered from a sample of raw pet food obtained at the home of one of the outbreak victims. However, no single common supplier of raw pet food has been identified.
The Salmonella strain recovered from patients and from the pet food sample is resistant to all commonly recommended antibiotics, as well as older antibiotic drugs, making the infections difficult to treat.
The outbreak is ongoing, and the PHAC expects the number of cases to grow.
What consumers and pet owners should know
PHAC does not recommend feeding raw pet food to pets, especially in households with young children or individuals who have a compromised immune system, as they are at greater risk for more serious illness.
Symptoms of a Salmonella infection may include fever, chills, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, headache and abdominal cramps. If you think you’re experiencing symptoms from a Salmonella infection, contact your health care provider.
If you choose to feed raw pet food, please take the following precautions:
- Always wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water after feeding, playing, handling or cleaning up after pets.
- Wash and sanitize any containers, utensils and surfaces that have come into contact with raw pet food before using them again. This includes food and water bowls, countertops, microwaves and refrigerators.
- Use dedicated dishes and utensils to serve your pet and wash them separately from other dishes and utensils.
- Store all pet food and treats away from where human food is stored or prepared and away from reach of young children. Pick up treats and food bowls when your pet is done with them.
- Raw pet food may need to be stored frozen or refrigerated. If thawing raw food:
- Keep your pet’s food away from human food
- Place it in a sealed, clean container that will hold any juices that may leak out
- Thaw only as much as needed
- Thaw on the bottom shelf of the refrigerator
- Do not re-freeze food after thawing
- Don’t allow your dog to lick your face, mouth, or open wounds.
If you come into contact with cattle, please take the following precautions:
- Always wash your hands before and after you touch cattle, or anything in the areas where they live, roam or eat. Wash with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds. Use an alcohol-based hand rub if soap and water are not available.
- If visiting a farm or petting zoo, wash your hands when you leave animal areas, even if you did not touch the animals directly.
- Do not eat or drink around cattle. Keep food and drinks away from animal areas.
- Always supervise children around animals, such as cattle. Do not let children put their fingers or objects (like pacifiers) in their mouths when they are around animals or in an animal area.
“A complete and compelling account of the hidden and not-so-hidden ways the food we give our beloved pets can be contaminated.” – JoNel Aleccia, Health Reporter, Food & Nutrition, The Associated Press.
“An invaluable resource for busy pet owners” – Food Safety News
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