Safety Report: Snakes and feeder rodents linked to Salmonella Outbreak in Canada, Canada

Canada

The Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) is investigating a Salmonella outbreak linked to snakes and feeder rodents across eight provinces. The outbreak has resulted in 70 confirmed cases of illness, 10 individuals have been hospitalized, and one fatality reported. The provinces affected include British Columbia (3), Alberta (10), Saskatchewan (7), Manitoba (3), Ontario (32), Quebec (11), New Brunswick (1) and Newfoundland and Labrador (3).

Many of the individuals who fell ill reported direct or indirect contact with snakes and feeder rodents before their illnesses occurred. Some did not handle the animals themselves but lived in the same house where they were kept. A single common supplier of snakes or feeder rodents has not been identified, indicating that Salmonella bacteria can be found in many species of animals, including snakes and feeder rodents.

The outbreak, which spans from British Columbia to Newfoundland and Labrador, has been ongoing since February 2022. The infected individuals range in age from 0 to 96, with 19% of the cases involving children 5 years or younger.

The issue was first identified due to an increase in reports of Salmonella illnesses across Canada. Through the use of whole genome sequencing, it was determined that some illnesses dating back to 2022 were caused by the same outbreak strain as the illnesses that occurred in 2023 and 2024. The investigation is ongoing, and recent illnesses continue to be reported to PHAC.

You can get sick with Salmonella by touching reptiles and rodents, their food, and their environments and then touching your face, eyes, or mouth without washing your hands. To prevent further spread of the disease, individuals are advised to practice good hand hygiene and frequent handwashing after contact with snakes, feeder rodents, and their environments.

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-linked-snakes-rodents.html