Health officials are calling a sudden surge of salmonella cases in London "unusual."
Since last Thursday, there have been 14 laboratory-confirmed cases of salmonella reported to the Middlesex-London Health Unit. On average, the health unit normally sees about nine cases throughout the month of August.
“With people barbequeing and preparing food outdoors, it isn’t uncommon to see a few cases of salmonella in the summer months, but more than a dozen in a week is surprising, which is why we’re trying to determine a cause,” says Stephen Turner, director of environmental health and infectious diseases with the health unit.
Officials with the health unit are investigating the sting of cases but, so far, no common food item or circumstances have been found to link the cases. Those who have become ill range from young children to seniors with a variety of food being consumed in different locations.
Turner says there are a number of steps that can be taken to prevent salmonella.
“Proper food preparation practices, like keeping foods separated, making sure meats are cooked to the proper internal temperature, and ensuring cold items stay cold and hot items remain hot, are critical in preventing food-borne illnesses, like salmonella," says Turner.
Other tips include washing hands, cutting boards, utensils, and countertops with hot soapy water before and after food preparation and refrigerating leftovers within two hours.
Symptoms of salmonella can last between four to seven days and can include sudden headache, fever, abdominal pain, diarrhea, nausea, and sometimes vomiting. Diarrhea begins six to 72 hours after contaminated food or beverages have been consumed.
Anyone suspected of having salmonella is advised not to prepare food for others.