 Under a very high magnification of 12000X, this undated colourized scanning electron micrograph shows a large grouping of Gram-negative Salmonella bacteria. (REUTERS/Janice Haney Carr/CDC/Handout/Files)
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CALGARY -- Alberta Health Services (AHS) is warning of an outbreak of Salmonella running rampant in rural southwestern Alberta.
With more than 30 cases currently reported -- the first on Dec. 13 -- the Lethbridge, Alta., contingent of Environmental Public Health is investigating, aided by Health Canada First Nations and Inuit Health.
Many of the infections are suspected to be through household contacts, AHS said in a Monday-issued advisory.
Symptoms of infection include dehydration, diarrhea that may contain blood, abdominal cramps, fever, vomiting and nausea -- all of which may show six to 72 hours after infection and can last for several weeks.
AHS encourages washing your hands, fresh fruit and vegetables and surfaces used in food preparation to avoid infection.
damien.wood@sunmedia.ca
On Twitter: @SUNDamienWood
