Category Archives: outbreak

PHAC

This is the final update for this outbreak investigation. The investigation has been closed, however illnesses could still be reported because this Salmonella strain may be present in some cattle and raw pet food products in Canada.

Why you should take note

The Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) collaborated with federal and provincial public health partners to investigate an outbreak of extensively drug-resistant (XDR) Salmonella infections in six provinces.

Investigation findings identified two sources:

• Exposure to raw meat prepared for pets (raw pet food) was identified as a likely source for some of the illnesses reported in this outbreak. Some of the individuals who became sick reported exposure to raw pet food, or to dogs fed raw pet food, before their illnesses occurred. A single common supplier of raw pet food was not identified.
• Contact with cattle, particularly calves, was also identified as a likely source for some of the illnesses reported in the outbreak.

This investigation has been closed, however this outbreak is a reminder that Salmonella bacteria can be found in raw pet food and in many species of animals, including dogs and cattle. If contaminated, raw pet food can also make your pets sick. Infected pets can also spread bacteria, like Salmonella, to individuals they are in contact with, even if they do not show any signs of illness.

Always use safe food handling practices when preparing, cooking, or storing raw pet food to prevent illness. Practice good hand hygiene and frequent handwashing after contact with dogs fed raw pet food, cattle, and their environments.

Investigation summary

In total, 44 laboratory-confirmed cases of XDR Salmonella I 4,[5],12:i:- illness were linked to this outbreak in six provinces: Manitoba (1), Ontario (15), Quebec (24), New Brunswick (1), Nova Scotia (2), and Prince Edward Island (1). Individuals became sick between July 2020 and January 2024. Thirteen individuals were hospitalized. No deaths were reported. Individuals who became ill were between 0 and 91 years of age. Many of the cases (43%) were in children 5 years of age or younger. About half of the cases (55%) were female. Some illnesses associated with this outbreak strain were difficult to treat with commonly recommended antibiotics.

Using a laboratory method called whole genome sequencing, it was determined that some Salmonella illnesses dating back to 2020 were caused by the same outbreak strain as the illnesses that occurred in 2023 and 2024.

The outbreak strain of Salmonella that made people sick was found in raw pet food from the home of an ill individual. The outbreak strain of Salmonella was also found in sick dogs and cattle, and some of these animals died.