Drug-resistant salmonella continues to spread across country

An ongoing spread of extensively drug-resistant (XDR) salmonella continues to be under investigation by the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC). Primarily targeting children who are five-years-old or younger, PHAC says they have recorded 40 confirmed cases of XDR salmonella, with all of the cases being in Eastern Canada. As of November 11, the cases have been found in:

• Quebec (21)
• Ontario (14)
• Nova Scotia (2)
• New Brunswick (1)
• Manitoba (1)
• Prince Edward Island (1)

Of these cases, 43% have impacted children five-years-old or younger, and have resulted in 13 hospitalizations and zero deaths. Symptoms typically start after 6-72 hours after exposure to XDR salmonella, and can last for 4-7 days. Symptoms can include:

• fever
• chills
• nausea
• vomiting
• diarrhea
• headache
• abdominal cramps