Canadian Food Inspection Agency recalls more pistachio products linked to Salmonella outbreak

Eight other pistachio products are subject to a reminder in Canada because of their link with an epidemic of Salmonella which has missed dozens of people.

The recall of the eight new products brings the total of the products recalled to over 35 years old. In September. On September 4, there were 62 confirmed patients in the Salmonella epidemic which was traced with pistachios and products containing pistachios.

Various brands and flavors of ice cream and Baklava have been added to the list of products recalled. For a list of new reminders, click here. The products were distributed in Ontario.

In addition to pistachio grains, a number of products – mainly bakery products – are under reminder due to the epidemic.

According to the Public Agency, British Columbia and one in Manitoba, epidemis patients spread in several provinces: 45 in Quebec, 11 in Ontario, five in British Columbia and one in Manitoba. Ten of the patients required hospitalization. None are dead.

Patients range from 2 to 89 years. People fell ill between early March and in mid-July.

Many people who have fallen ill have eaten pistachios and products containing pistachios, such as Dubai style chocolate and Bakalava. Salmonella epidemic strains that made people have been found in samples of recalled habibi pistachios.

More recent diseases can continue to be reported because there is a period between the moment when a person falls ill and when the disease is reported to public health officials. This can take more than a month from the moment someone falls ill, sees a doctor, is tested and confirms their results. For this epidemic, the period of declaration of diseases is between 15 and 55 days after the start of the disease, according to the health agency.

The real number of patients in Canada is probably much higher. Many people have light symptoms and do not go to the doctor, so they are not tested. The researchers believe that for each case of Salmonella reported to public health, there are 26 additional cases which are not reported.

On Salmonella infections
Foods contaminated by Salmonella bacteria do not look, do not feel, nor the spoiled taste. Anyone can become sick of a salmonella infection. Infants, children, the elderly and people with weakened immune systems are more at risk of serious illness because their immune system is fragile, according to the CDC.

Anyone who has eaten one of the products recalled and developed symptoms of Salmonella infection should consult a doctor. Patients should inform their doctors of the possible exposure to salmonella bacteria, as special tests are necessary to diagnose salmonellosis. Salmonella infection symptoms can imitate other diseases, frequently leading to an erroneous diagnosis.

Symptoms of salmonella infection may include diarrhea, abdominal cramps and fever within 12 to 72 hours after eating contaminated foods. Otherwise, healthy adults are generally sick for four to seven days. In some cases, however, diarrhea can be so serious that patients need hospitalization.

Older adults, children, pregnant women and people with weakened immune systems, such as cancer patients, are more likely to develop serious disease and serious, sometimes fatal conditions.

Some people are infected without falling ill or obviously symptoms. However, they can still disseminate infections to others.

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