10 Alberta salmonella cases confirmed in outbreak linked to snakes, rodents: PHAC

Ten cases of salmonella have been confirmed in Alberta as part of a cross-Canada outbreak linked to snakes and rodents.

Ten cases of salmonella have been confirmed in Alberta as part of a cross-Canada outbreak linked to snakes and rodents.

The Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC), alongside provincial health partners, launched an investigation into an outbreak of infections across eight provinces that occurred between February 2022 and February 2024.

As of March 19, there were 70 total confirmed cases across several provinces including British Columbia (three), Alberta (10), Saskatchewan (seven), Manitoba (three), Ontario (32), Quebec (11), New Brunswick (one) and Newfoundland and Labrador (three).

The infections resulted in 10 hospitalizations and one death.

“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,” PHAC said in a public health notice Tuesday.

“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.”

Salmonella infections can occur after touching reptiles and rodents, their food and their environments, and then touching your face, eyes or mouth without handwashing, according to PHAC.