The Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) is reporting another death due to a salmonellosis outbreak in melons, bringing the total number of deaths across the country to seven.
According to the agency, there have been 164 laboratory-confirmed cases of salmonellosis linked to Malichita and Rudy brand melons in eight provinces.
Quebec was the hardest-hit province with 111 confirmed cases of infection. Ontario follows with 21 cases, then British Columbia, Alberta, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador and Prince Edward Island.
Most of those affected are adults aged 65 or older or children aged five or younger.
According to the agency, 61 people were hospitalized as of December 22.
The Public Health Agency of Canada reminds that if people have fresh or frozen melons at home and are unsure of the brand, they should throw them away and then wash their hands.
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency first issued recall warnings on November 1st.
The recalled Malichita and Rudy melons were sold between October 10 and November 24.
The food inspection agency also recalled other fruits such as honeydew melon, pineapple, watermelon and various fruit plates that were processed close to the recalled melons.
Symptoms of salmonellosis may include fever, chills, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, headache, and abdominal cramps. They usually begin six to 72 hours after eating food contaminated with salmonella bacteria. Most people usually recover within a week.
The health department says infected people can spread the disease and should not prepare food for others.
The United States is also investigating an outbreak of salmonellosis linked to melons. These cases share the same genetic strain as the cases reported in Canada.
With information from The Canadian Press
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