Two cases of Salmonella infection were confirmed Friday by the Mohawk Council of Akwesasne. According to the announcement, the council’s Community Health Program has contacted 50 community members and 11 have been advised to seek medical attention and further lab testing for the bacteria. The Mohawk Council of Akwesasne is located in southeastern Ontario, Canada, near the border with Québec. It makes up the Canadian side of the St. Regis Mohawk Reservation. mohawks-of-akwesasne-flagHealth officials are continuing to monitor the situation and are recommending that anyone in the community, or a family member, who is experiencing symptoms of Salmonella infection such as diarrhea, fever, chills, headache, or vomiting to contact a community health nurse at (613) 575-2341, ext. 3220. Also, anyone who has, or knows someone who has, attended a social gathering in the past two weeks in Mohawk territory is advised to contact a community health nurse or health care provider. A nurse has been assigned to monitor laboratory results and will contact community members if a result is made available over the weekend, the council said. “We are continuing to advise Mohawk community members to follow strict hand-washing guidelines to prevent the spread and transmission of salmonella,” the announcement states. “People who have diarrhea should not work as food handlers, or provide care for children or patients. Children who have diarrhea should not go to childcare. Most infected people may return to work or school when diarrhea stops, and they are symptom-free for 24 hours, provided that they are careful to wash their hands after using the toilet.” Further updates on the situation will be made available on Monday, July 27, 2015, the council stated. (To sign up for a free subscription to Food Safety News, click here.)