OTTAWA, ONTARIO--(Marketwired - Sept. 21, 2013) -
Updated September 21, 2013
Why you should take note
The Public Health Agency of Canada, along with its health and food safety partners, is investigating fourteen cases of E. coli O157:H7 illness; four in British Columbia, eight in Alberta, one in Saskatchewan and one in Quebec.
These individuals became ill between mid-July and early September. Most people who become ill from E. coli bacteria will recover within 5 to 10 days.
Certain contaminated cheese products manufactured by Gort's Gouda Cheese Farm in Salmon Arm, British Columbia, have been identified as the source of the illnesses. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency has recalled these products from the marketplace.
There is currently no indication of widespread risk to Canadians. However, E. coli O157:H7 can pose a serious public health risk. Additional cases of illness may be identified and linked to this outbreak in the future.
Do not eat any of the recalled product. Check your refrigerator and if you have any of the recalled product in your home, return it to the point of purchase or throw it out.
We want to remind Canadians to follow proper hygiene and safe food handling and preparation practices to prevent the spread of all food-borne illness including E. coli. For example:
- Wash your hands before and after cooking;
- Keep knives, counters and cutting boards clean;
- Keep raw meats separate from other foods when you store them; and
- Refrigerate or freeze left-overs promptly.
This Notice will be updated as new information becomes available.
Status
Investigations into outbreaks of food-borne illness can be complex. Since mid-September 2013, the Agency has been leading a committee that includes public health and food safety experts from the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, Health Canada and Provincial Ministries of Health and Health Authorities. The committee meets regularly to share and review the latest information and determine what actions should be taken to protect Canadians.
More information about the epidemiological investigation is also available.
One of the cases in British Columbia has died as a result of E. coli O157:H7 infection. All other cases have recovered or are recovering.
E. coli O157 food-borne illnesses are not unexpected in Canada and no unusual increases in the number of these illnesses have been detected nationally. The Public Health Agency of Canada's National Enteric Surveillance Program show that E. coli cases in Canada have been declining in recent years.