72 Sick After Eating Salami Associated With Salmonella Outbreak

Rea brand Genoa Salami and Bona brand Genova Salami have been recalled due to a Salmonella outbreak. Public Health Agency of Canada handout photo

Seventy-two people across three provinces have fallen ill after eating salami that was recalled by the Public Health Agency of Canada earlier this month over possible salmonella contamination.

The federal agency issued a revised notice on June 24 about an outbreak of salmonella infections associated with Rea brand Genoa Salami Sweet, Rea brand Genoa Salami Hot, and Bona brand Mild Genova Salami. The products were recalled in Alberta, Manitoba, and Ontario on June 10 by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA).

Fifty-seven of the laboratory-confirmed salmonella cases are in Alberta, 14 are in Ontario, and one is in Manitoba. Most of the people became ill between mid-April and mid-June and seven have been hospitalized thus far, the advisory says.

The agency did not release the ages of the victims, citing the age range as between one year old and 100.

“Many people who became sick reported eating salami in prepared sandwiches or purchased from deli counters where the recalled product was served,” the advisory says, noting that the outbreak may not be limited to the provinces or territories with known illnesses.

​​The illness reporting period for this outbreak is between 11 and 45 days, the agency said.

The lot numbers for the impacted products can be found here.

Customers are advised by the CFIA recall notice to refrain from consuming, using, selling, serving, or distributing the recalled products. All recalled products should be disposed of or returned to the original point of purchase, the advisory said.

Salmonellosis

Salmonella refers to a specific type of bacteria responsible for salmonellosis, recognized as one of the most common types of food poisoning. It can cause a wide range of symptoms including chills, diarrhea, fever, nausea, stomach cramps, sudden headache, and vomiting, according to Health Canada.

Not every person exposed to salmonella will exhibit symptoms; however, those who do are likely to experience side effects within a six-to-72-hour timeframe, the agency says.

Symptoms usually resolve within four to seven days and seldom require medical intervention. Patients may require prescription drugs and intravenous fluids to fully recover in more severe instances.

The elderly, infants, pregnant women, and those with weakened immune systems have an elevated risk of suffering from severe reactions to salmonellosis.

“While most people recover completely on their own, some people may have a more serious illness that requires hospital care and may lead to long-lasting health effects or death,” Health Canada says. “Long-term complications may include severe arthritis.”

Individuals infected with the bacteria can remain contagious for a period ranging from several days to several weeks following the initial infection, even if they do not exhibit any symptoms. The bacteria is transmitted through direct person-to-person contact and by touching contaminated surfaces.