Salmonella outbreak in western provinces linked to chicks from Alberta hatchery

OTTAWA (NEWS1130) – The Public Health Agency of Canada says it’s investigating an outbreak of salmonella in British Columbia, Alberta and Saskatchewan linked to live chicks from an Alberta hatchery.

Thirty-four people reported getting sick _ 17 in Alberta, 13 in BC and four in Saskatchewan _ between April 5 and May 12.

Alberta Agriculture is working with the unnamed hatchery to determine the source of the infection, and says the hatchery is sending out letters to its customers who have placed orders for live baby poultry beginning March 1.

Symptoms of salmonella include fever, chills, diarrhea, abdominal cramps, headache, nausea and vomiting.

The public health agency says warns people should always wash their hands after handling live birds, and should never “snuggle or kiss the birds.”

Those at highest risk for infection are children under the age of five, pregnant women, the elderly and those with weaker immune systems.

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