Salmonella outbreak linked to Folk Festival food booth

EDMONTON — Environmental Public Health in Edmonton is investigating an outbreak of Salmonella, linked to food served by one restaurant booth at the recent Edmonton Folk Music Festival.

There have been 19 lab-confirmed cases of Salmonella in the Edmonton Zone, all with exposure to food purchased at the Haweli Restaurant food booth at the Edmonton Folk Music Festival, held August 10-13, 2017.

AHS would like to reassure that there is little ongoing risk to the public due to this outbreak. Operators of the restaurant have been cooperative with public health officials to date and there have been no cases linked to Haweli Restaurant itself - only the food booth operated at the Festival.

Environmental Public Health inspected Haweli Restaurant and is satisfied that all requirements under the Alberta Public Health Act are being met at the present time.

AHS is grateful for the ongoing cooperation and support of both Haweli Restaurant and Edmonton Folk Festival management. AHS worked closely with the Festival and food vendors, before the event, to ensure all food operators were aware of and set up to meet all requirements under the Public Health Act.

Predominant symptoms associated with this outbreak are: diarrhea that may be bloody, abdominal cramps and fever, and vomiting and nausea in some cases. Salmonella illness can last for several weeks.

The most common complication of Salmonella is dehydration. If you are showing signs of dehydration, you should seek medical attention; otherwise, the illness usually clears up on its own. Eating contaminated foods is the most common cause of infection with Salmonella bacteria. Contaminated foods could include raw or under cooked eggs or egg products, meat, poultry (including turkey), raw fruit and vegetables.

You can also be exposed to Salmonella bacteria by not thoroughly cleaning surfaces that have been used to prepare raw meat and other foods in the kitchen, or if you have not properly washed fresh fruits and vegetables before eating them.

It is critical individuals use safe and effective hand washing practices. Food handlers who have not thoroughly washed their hands after handling raw meat or after using the washroom can also contaminate food.

Salmonellosis symptoms generally occur within six to 72 hours after ingesting the bacteria in food, environmental or other sources, and last four to seven days, or longer. People who are infected with Salmonella bacteria can be infectious from several days to several weeks.

However, some people can become infected with the bacteria and not get sick or show symptoms. Even though you don’t show symptoms, it is still possible to carry the bacteria and spread the infection to others.

Residents can contact Health Link Alberta to speak to a registered nurse 24 hours a day, seven days a week, by dialing 811.

Alberta Health Services is the provincial health authority responsible for planning and delivering health supports and services for more than 4 million adults and children living in Alberta. Its mission is to provide a patient-focused, quality health system that is accessible and sustainable for all Albertans.

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