The source of a salmonella outbreak that has spread across 23 states remains unknown while genetic links have been identified in Salmonella Newport infections reported within the same timeframe in five Canadian provinces. Cases first started emerging in late June and have risen to 59 in Canada and 212 in the US. No deaths have been recorded to date. The CDC advises that no ‘specific food item, grocery store, or restaurant chain’ has yet been identified in the search for a source which is being carried out in collaboration with Canadian health agencies. Read more
Advice for travellers
Salmonella is a bacterium typically found in food, such as poultry, that causes diarrhoea, fever, and abdominal cramps between 12 and 72 hours after infection. Illness usually lasts 4 to 7 days, and most people recover without treatment, although diarrhoea may be so severe as to require hospital treatment. Young children and the elderly are at highest risk of severe illness. As there is no vaccine to prevent salmonellosis, it is best to avoid raw or undercooked eggs, poultry, or meat. Read more
Before you travel, call Travelvax Australia’s telephone advisory service on 1300 360 164 (toll-free from landlines) for country-specific advice and information. You can also make an appointment at your nearest Travelvax clinic to obtain vaccinations, medication to prevent or treat illness, and accessories for your journey.