Latest news with #SaskatoonFarm
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@
CTV News
4 days ago
- Health
- CTV News
Dozens believed sick after eating at Alberta restaurant
Calgary Watch Dozens of people are now believed to have fallen sick after eating at a restaurant at Saskatoon Farm last week, with some people even hospitalized.
CTV News
4 days ago
- Health
- CTV News
Mass illness linked to Saskatoon Farm food facility worsens
A gastrointestinal outbreak has now been declared at Saskatoon Farm near Okotoks, with the number of cases of people falling ill growing to more than 200.
CTV News
4 days ago
- Health
- CTV News
Form of E. coli, parasite presumed to be culprits in mass illness at Saskatoon Farm food facility
Dozens of people are now believed to have fallen sick after eating at a restaurant at Saskatoon Farm last week, with some people even hospitalized. Alberta Health Services continues to learn more about the nature and severity of a gastrointestinal outbreak at the food facility at Saskatoon Farm. On Friday, AHS said the outbreak is presumed to be the result of a form of E. coli and a parasite called Entamoeba histolytica. 'To date, there have been 18 lab-confirmed cases of E. coli, three of which also tested positive for (Entamoeba histolytica),' the provincial health authority said. 'AHS has identified 235 symptomatic individuals connected to the outbreak and two recent hospitalizations are linked to this incident.' Of the two people hospitalized, Dr. Franco Rizzuti, medical officer of health, said Friday that one has since been discharged, while the other remains under care. The type of E. coli found is Enteroinvasive Escherichia coli, which 'is not toxin-producing and generally goes away without treatment.' AHS said Entamoeba histolytica often has no symptoms, but 'it can cause gastrointestinal illness and, more rarely, severe infection of the liver, lungs, heart and brain.' Rizzuti said the water supply is thought to be the source of this outbreak. He said Saskatoon Farm has since switched to a different water supply. 'AHS is very satisfied that this is safe water on site,' Rizzuti told media on Friday. The restaurant, bakery and red house remain closed. The gift store, clothing boutique, farmer's market and U-Pick orchards are open. The Saskatoon Farm near Okotoks is temporarily closed after multiple diners contracted a gastrointestinal illness last week. The Saskatoon Farm near Okotoks is temporarily closed after multiple diners contracted a gastrointestinal illness last week. Saskatoon Farm posted to its website on Wednesday: 'We are fully co-operating with AHS and are taking all necessary actions to address the situation and work toward a safe reopening in accordance with their directives,' it said. 'At this time, we do not have any information regarding when our food service facilities will be permitted to reopen. 'We will continue to keep our patrons informed as we receive further updates from AHS.' It's believed the illnesses stem from July 15 and 16, specifically, but AHS is looking back to July 1, Rizzuti said, 'out of an abundance of caution.' Anyone who consumed food or drink at the facility between July 1 and 16 and has symptoms is advised to call Health Link at 811 or see their primary care provider. Those with more severe symptoms should consider more urgent care. And those who consumed food or drink at the facility between July 1 and 16 but remain symptom-free are urged to call Health Link at 811 after July 30 for screening. Questions or concerns in the meantime can also go to Health Link at 811.
Global News
4 days ago
- Health
- Global News
Some diners test positive for rare parasite after eating at popular Calgary-area restaurant
Alberta Health Services says there have been 235 people identified with symptoms of gastrointestinal illness — including 18 lab-confirmed cases of E. coli — after dining at the Saskatoon Farm, a popular Calgary-area restaurant about 20 minutes southeast of the city, earlier this month. AHS says two of those people have been hospitalized, although one has since been discharged. 'This E. coli that has been presumptively identified is an that's not normally found in treated drinking water — and if we see it, it's often a sign of some sort of contamination,' said AHS Medical Officer of Health Dr. Francesco Rizzuti, in a late Friday afternoon press conference. 'It can lead to gastrointestinal illness.' Rizzuti said three of the people who have tested positive for E. coli have also tested positive for a parasite called entamoa histolytitica, which can cause a severe gastrointestinal illness called amoebiasis weeks to months after infection. Story continues below advertisement While so far nobody has tested positive for amoebiasis, Rizutti said, 'in some severe cases (it) can lead to other infections outside of the stomach and GI tract — so heart, liver, lungs, very rare, but we do know it can happen.' Get weekly health news Receive the latest medical news and health information delivered to you every Sunday. Sign up for weekly health newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy Some of these are not immediate symptoms, but they can lead to serious illness, added Rizzuti. As a result, AHS will be asking more people to get tested, in case they have been infected by the parasite. Specifically, anyone who ate or consumed water or beverages at the restaurant between July 1 and 16, 2025 are being asked to call Healthlink (811) for more information , even if they haven't developed any symptoms of illness. That testing will take place after July 30 and Rizzuti said more information will be provided next week. AHS investigators have identified the farm's water system as the likely source of the outbreak. 'What we understand is that … there were some complaints of maybe unusual taste to the water around July 15 of 16,' said Rizzuti. 'We're continuing to investigate a number of samples — really trying to understand exactly what it is — but from what we've understood from talking with the site, interviews with these 235 individuals, the common thread that continues to come up is consumption of beverages, water, or food that was produced with water from that contaminated cistern.' Story continues below advertisement View image in full screen The Saskatoon Farm is located a 20 minute drive southeast of Calgary and is a popular destination for Saskatoon berry picking, a farmers market and restaurant. Global News The farm has since switched its water system to a different source and Rizzuti said testing by AHS has confirmed there is no contamination and it is safe for consumption. However, he said there is ongoing testing being done and the facility will remain closed until AHS public health inspectors and medical officers of health determine there is no ongoing risk to the public. 'The reopening plan is contingent on ensuring that there's a safe water supply — a sustainable water supply,' said Rizzuti. He's also asking anyone else who has been experiencing symptoms of gastrointestinal illness, such as nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain or diarrhea, to call Healthlink at 811 or their family health care provider immediately.
