Canadian officials are reporting there are dozens of patients in a Salmonella outbreak related to fresh peaches. In the U.S. 68 people in nine states have been sickened. Recalls are underway in both countries.
Prima Wawona in California distributed the implicated peaches in bags and bulk bins, according to public health officials in both countries. The outbreak is ongoing according to the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC). Several brands as well as unmarked peaches in open bins are involved in the recalls related to the outbreak.
As of Aug. 24, PHAC was reporting 33 confirmed infected people in two provinces. The agency is continuing to receive reports of illnesses, according to the outbreak announcement.
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has issued a consumer advisory for peaches recalled by Prima Wawona, sold from June 1 to Aug. 22 in Canada.
“Do not eat, use, sell or serve any recalled peaches from Prima Wawona from the United States, or any products made with these peaches,” PHAC warns. “This advice applies to all individuals across Canada, as well as retailers, distributors, manufacturers and food service establishments such as hotels, restaurants, cafeterias, hospitals and nursing homes.
“Peaches grown in Canada are not affected by this advice.”
PHAC reports there have been 33 confirmed cases of Salmonella Enteritidis illnesses linked to this outbreak in two provinces: Ontario with 22 and Quebec with 11. Individuals became sick between June and August this year. Three individuals were hospitalized. No deaths have been reported. Individuals who became ill are between 0 and 91 years of age.
Investigators in Canada and the U.S. continue to collaborate to exchange information and identify commonalities in the outbreak information that may identify additional sources of illness or help to identify the cause of contamination in the peaches.
It is possible that more recent illnesses may be reported in the outbreak because there is a period of time between when a person becomes ill and when the illness is reported to public health officials. For this outbreak, the illness reporting period is between two and four weeks.
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