News and Stories

This update does not apply to any Markon First Crop, Ready-Set-Serve, or Markon Essentials products.

The Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) is collaborating with provincial public health partners, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) and Health Canada to continue to investigate an outbreak of Salmonella Infantis infections involving five provinces.

As of November 27, 2018, there have been 55 laboratory-confirmed cases (5 more than the previous update) of Salmonella Infantis illness investigated in the following provinces: British Columbia (47), Alberta (5), Saskatchewan (1), Manitoba (1), and Quebec (1).

Based on the investigation findings to date, exposure to long English cucumbers has been identified as the likely source of the outbreak. Many of the individuals who became sick reported eating long English cucumbers before their illness. However, more information is needed to determine the possible causes of contamination. The outbreak appears to be ongoing, as illnesses continue to be reported.

What we know:

• As of November 27, 2018, there have been 55 laboratory-confirmed cases of Salmonella Infantis illness investigated in the following provinces: British Columbia (47), Alberta (5), Saskatchewan (1), Manitoba (1), and Quebec (1).
  • The illness reported in Quebec was related to travel to British Columbia
• Individuals became sick between mid-June and late-October 2018
• Eleven individuals have been hospitalized
  • No deaths have been reported
  • Individuals who became ill are between 1 and 92 years of age
  • The majority of cases (60%) are female.

The Public Health Agency of Canada is issuing this updated public health notice to inform residents in western Canada of the investigation findings to date and to share important safe food handling practices to help prevent further Salmonella infections. At this time, there is no evidence to suggest that residents in eastern Canada are affected by this outbreak. The outbreak investigation remains active, but there has been a decrease in the number of cases being reported, which indicates that the outbreak appears to be winding down. Some illnesses may not be reported yet because of the time it takes between when a person becomes ill and when the illness is reported to public health officials. 

For more information on the ongoing outbreak investigation please visit the PHAC page: https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/public-health-notices/2018/outbreak-salmonella-infections-under-investigation.html

Markon will continue to update members when more information becomes available.

Angie Ramirez

Food Safety Program Manager

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