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Yahoo
3 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Saskatoon Farm water warning turns full gastrointestinal outbreak, 235 patients identified
The 'unprecedented changes' to the water quality at Saskatoon Farm, south of Calgary, that caused flu-like symptoms among a number of guests has been officially identified by Alberta Health Services as a gastrointestinal outbreak, 'presumed to be E. coli and amoebiasis.' In a statement issued Friday, AHS officials confirmed there have been 18 lab-identified cases of E. coli, three of which also tested positive for amoebiasis. A total of 235 symptomatic individuals have been connected to the outbreak, along with two recent hospitalizations. One of the patients had since been discharged. While the E. coli strain identified is said to generally go away without treatment, amoebiasis can 'cause gastrointestinal illness and, more rarely, severe infection of the liver, lungs, heart and brain,' even without previous symptoms indicating its presence. It is believed Saskatoon Farm's water system was the source of the outbreak. AHS is asking anybody who dined on the premises between July 1 and 16 to follow established guidelines. After July 17, the farm changed water sources and singularly sold canned or bottled beverages in the wake of the issue. Individuals without symptoms are still asked to call Health Link at 811 'on or after July 30 for amoebiasis screening.' Those who are experiencing symptoms, like nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea, are recommended to make that call for screening right away. The farm is still selling produce, including their Saskatoon berry namesake. Farm officials say they have worked closely with AHS to ensure their customers' safety. 'Our berries are irrigated using well water and rainfall, which is not connected to the water system that led to the current restaurant closure,' they said in a Facebook reply. 'The water used for rinsing our produce is non-potable, but it has been tested and approved by AHS as a satisfactory water source.' They still encourage those who purchase produce to give a secondary wash thoroughly at home before consumption. The restaurant on site was closed July 23, and will remain so until 'public health inspectors and medical officers of health have deemed it safe to reopen,' AHS said. The front office, gift store and farmers' market stand remain open. 'We are fully cooperating with AHS and are taking all necessary actions to address the situation and work toward a safe reopening in accordance with their directives,' Saskatoon Farm said. With files from Devon Dekuyper. KTulloch@
Edmonton Journal
3 days ago
- Health
- Edmonton Journal
Saskatoon Farm water warning turns full gastrointestinal outbreak, 235 patients identified
Article content The 'unprecedented changes' to the water quality at Saskatoon Farm, south of Calgary, that caused flu-like symptoms among a number of guests has been officially identified by Alberta Health Services as a gastrointestinal outbreak, 'presumed to be E. coli and amoebiasis.' Article content In a statement issued Friday, AHS officials confirmed there have been 18 lab-identified cases of E. coli, three of which also tested positive for amoebiasis. 235 symptomatic individuals have been connected to the outbreak, along with two recent hospitalizations. One of the patients had since been discharged. Article content Article content Article content While the E. coli strain identified is said to generally go away without treatment, amoebiasis can 'cause gastrointestinal illness and, more rarely, severe infection of the liver, lungs, heart and brain,' even without previous symptoms indicating its presence. Article content Article content It is believed that Saskatoon Farm's water system was the source of the outbreak. AHS is asking anybody who dined on the premises between July 1 and 16 to follow established guidelines. After July 17, the farm changed water sources and singularly sold canned or bottled beverages in the wake of the issue. Article content Individuals without symptoms are stilled asked to call Health Link at 811 'on or after July 30 for amoebiasis screening.' Those who are experiencing symptoms, like nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea, are recommended to make that call for screening right away. Article content The farm is still selling produce including their Saskatoon berry namesake. Farm officials say that they have worked closely with AHS to ensure their customers' safety. Article content Article content 'Our berries are irrigated using well water and rainfall, which is not connected to the water system that led to the current restaurant closure,' they said in a Facebook reply. 'The water used for rinsing our produce is non-potable, but it has been tested and approved by AHS as a satisfactory water source.' Article content They still encourage those who purchase produce to give a secondary wash thoroughly at home before consumption. Article content The restaurant on site was closed on July 23, and will remain so until 'public health inspectors and medical officers of health have deemed it safe to reopen,' AHS said. The front office, gift store, and farmers' market stand remain open.
Calgary Herald
3 days ago
- Health
- Calgary Herald
Saskatoon Farm water warning turns full gastrointestinal outbreak, 235 patients identified
The 'unprecedented changes' to the water quality at Saskatoon Farm, south of Calgary, that caused flu-like symptoms among a number of guests has been officially identified by Alberta Health Services as a gastrointestinal outbreak, 'presumed to be E. coli and amoebiasis.' Article content In a statement issued Friday, AHS officials confirmed there have been 18 lab-identified cases of E. coli, three of which also tested positive for amoebiasis. 235 symptomatic individuals have been connected to the outbreak, along with two recent hospitalizations. One of the patients had since been discharged. Article content Article content Article content While the E. coli strain identified is said to generally go away without treatment, amoebiasis can 'cause gastrointestinal illness and, more rarely, severe infection of the liver, lungs, heart and brain,' even without previous symptoms indicating its presence. Article content Article content It is believed that Saskatoon Farm's water system was the source of the outbreak. AHS is asking anybody who dined on the premises between July 1 and 16 to follow established guidelines. After July 17, the farm changed water sources and singularly sold canned or bottled beverages in the wake of the issue. Article content Individuals without symptoms are stilled asked to call Health Link at 811 'on or after July 30 for amoebiasis screening.' Those who are experiencing symptoms, like nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea, are recommended to make that call for screening right away. Article content The farm is still selling produce including their Saskatoon berry namesake. Farm officials say that they have worked closely with AHS to ensure their customers' safety. Article content Article content 'Our berries are irrigated using well water and rainfall, which is not connected to the water system that led to the current restaurant closure,' they said in a Facebook reply. 'The water used for rinsing our produce is non-potable, but it has been tested and approved by AHS as a satisfactory water source.' Article content They still encourage those who purchase produce to give a secondary wash thoroughly at home before consumption. Article content The restaurant on site was closed on July 23, and will remain so until 'public health inspectors and medical officers of health have deemed it safe to reopen,' AHS said. The front office, gift store, and farmers' market stand remain open.
CTV News
4 days ago
- Health
- CTV News
Stay safe from insect and animal bites this summer: AHS
Albertans are encouraged to take precaution on outdoor summer adventures to prevent insect and animal bites and infections. To prevent mosquito and tick bites, Alberta Health Services (AHS) suggests covering as much of your body as possible when outdoors – especially in grassy or wooded areas where ticks are commonly found. The health authority recommends wearing a light-coloured, long-sleeved shirt, long pants and a hat as well as Health Canada-approved insect repellent. Mosquitoes can spread West Nile virus which can affect your brain and give you flu-like symptoms. Ticks can carry Lyme disease. AHS advises to always check for ticks when you come in from the outdoors. Bats have been known to carry rabies in Alberta, which can impact your nervous system, including the brain, spinal cord and nerves. AHS says to never handle a live or dead bat with bare hands as bats are likely to bite in self-defence. If you or your child are bitten or scratched by a bat, AHS says to wash with soap and water and call Health Link at 811 or speak to a health care provider. Household pets and indoor animals should be up-to-date on routine rabies immunizations. It is also recommended that parents speak with their children about not touching wild animals and to tell an adult when they've been bitten or scratched.
CTV News
08-07-2025
- Health
- CTV News
Blue-green algae warning issued for Lac Ste. Anne
Visitors to Lac Ste. Anne are being warned about a blue-green algae bloom. Alberta Health Services (AHS) issued a release Monday saying cyanobacteria had been found in the lake. The algae, which can look like scum, grass clippings or fuzz on water's surface, is harmful to people and animals that come into contact with it. Symptoms include skin irritation, rash, sore throat and eyes, fever, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. People and pets should not swim or wade where algae is present or eat whole fish or fish trimmings from the lake, AHS said, but fish filets are safe. Any area of the lake where the bacteria are not present is safe to use. AHS said untreated water from any body of water should never be used for drinking or cooking, because boiling will not remove toxins produced by the bacteria. For more information, visit the AHS website. Anyone who suspects illness related to cyanobacteria can also call Health Link at 811.
