Salmonella infections across Canada linked to snakes and their rodent feed – CBC

Good hand hygiene advised after contact with snakes, their rodent feed and environment

Mar 19, 2024

An ongoing outbreak of salmonella infections in eight provinces is linked to snakes and rodents used to feed them, the Public Health Agency of Canada (PJAC) says.

As of March 19, there are 70 confirmed cases of Salmonella I and Salmonella typhimurium illness reported in this outbreak in:

British Columbia (3).
Alberta (10).
Saskatchewan (7).
Manitoba (3).
Ontario (32).
Quebec (11).
New Brunswick (1)
Newfoundland and Labrador (3).
It marks an increase of 25 cases since the first public health notice was issued last April, PHAC said.

“Many of the individuals who became sick reported direct or indirect contact with snakes and feeder rodents (used as reptile food) before their illnesses occurred,” the agency said in a release.

“Some people who became sick did not touch or handle the snakes or feeder rodents themselves, but lived in the same house where they were kept.”

Read more: https://www.cbc.ca/news/health/snakes-salmonella-rodents-1.7148744