> ## Content Index
> Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.foodsafetynews.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further.

# 34 Sickened in Canadian Salmonella Outbreak Linked to Chicks From Alberta Hatchery
- URL: https://www.foodsafetynews.com/2015/05/34-sickened-in-canadian-salmonella-outbreak-linked-to-chicks-from-alberta-hatchery/
- Published: 2015-05-26T18:17:26.000Z
- Updated: 2018-07-31T06:34:48.000Z
- Author: Cathy Siegner
- Tags: Government Agencies, Uncategorized, World, Alberta Agriculture, baby chicks, Canada, live poultry, Public Health Agency of Canada, Salmonella, Salmonella Enteritidis, #wp, #wp-post, #Import 2025-11-25 10:59

An investigation is underway in Canada to figure out the source of a *Salmonella Enteritidis* outbreak linked to live chicks from an Alberta hatchery. According to [news reports](http://www.cbc.ca/news/health/salmonella-outbreak-linked-to-live-chicks-at-alberta-hatchery-1.3087825?ref=foodsafetynews.com), the outbreak has so far sickened 34 people in three provinces.

[![http://www.dreamstime.com/stock-image-baby-chickens-image19791491](http://foodsafetynewsfullservice.marlersites.com/files/2015/05/Baby-chicks-1.jpg)](http://foodsafetynewsfullservice.marlersites.com/files/2015/05/Baby-chicks-2.jpg?ref=foodsafetynews.com)

The Public Health Agency of Canada is not releasing the name of the hatchery, which is [reportedly](http://www.edmontonjournal.com/Salmonella+outbreak+investigated+northern+Alberta+farms/11069841/story.html?ref=foodsafetynews.com) located in northern Alberta. However, the agency did state that the unnamed hatchery planned to send letters to any customers who ordered live baby chicks as of March 1 onward. The agency’s [public health notice](http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/phn-asp/2015/salmonella-eng.php?utm%5Fsource=facebook%5Fphac&utm%5Fmedium=social%5Fen&utm%5Fcontent=may25%5Fphn&utm%5Fcampaign=topic%5F15%2A) dated Monday, May 25, 2015, set the current case count at 34 and revealed that they are 17 people from Alberta, 13 from British Columbia, and four from Saskatchewan. “Individuals became sick between April 5 and May 12, 2015\. These cases have all reported contact with live baby poultry. Most cases have reported contact with live baby poultry from a hatchery in Alberta,” the notice stated. Officials with the Alberta agriculture agency are working with this particular hatchery to determine the source of the *Salmonella* infections, the agency added. This is the third such outbreak that has occurred in Alberta since 2009, [according to](http://www.edmontonjournal.com/Salmonella+outbreak+investigated+northern+Alberta+farms/11069841/story.html?ref=foodsafetynews.com) the chief provincial veterinarian. In the U.S., the most recent national *Salmonella* [outbreak](http://www.cdc.gov/salmonella/live-poultry-05-14/index.html?ref=foodsafetynews.com) linked to live birds sickened at least 363 people in 43 states, hospitalizing 33 percent of them. Cases began in May 2014 and continued to be reported through September of this past year. Those most at risk for *Salmonella* infections include children younger than five, the elderly, pregnant women and those with compromised immune systems. Public health officials said that people should not snuggle or kiss live birds and should always wash their hands after handling live poultry. “Young children are at higher risk of infection because they often enjoy handling and interacting with live baby poultry and may not wash their hands before putting their fingers or other contaminated items in or near their mouths,” the Public Health Agency of Canada [stated](http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton/live-chicks-from-alberta-hatchery-linked-to-salmonella-outbreak-1.3087819?ref=foodsafetynews.com) in a news release. [Symptoms](http://healthycanadians.gc.ca/eating-nutrition/poisoning-intoxication/salmonella-salmonelle-eng.php?%5Fga=1.43614181.179579266.1432437910&ref=foodsafetynews.com) of *Salmonella* infection include fever, chills, diarrhea, abdominal cramps, headache, nausea and vomiting. Anyone who has been in contact with live poultry and develops symptoms of a *Salmonella* infection that persist or are severe should consult a health professional and mention the exposure to live poultry, the agency advised. *Salmonella* infection is usually contracted from food. However, since live animals can transmit the bacteria in their feces, *Salmonella* infection can also be contracted from a bird, its droppings, or from environments where birds have been.