Canadian multi-jurisdictional enteric illness outbreak investigations: Highlights from 2023/2024

Abstract

An estimated four million enteric illnesses in Canada are related to contaminated food each year, and an estimated 85,000 are related to animal contact. Enteric illness investigations are complex and involve multiple stakeholders. Successful multi-jurisdictional enteric illness outbreak investigations require strong partnerships, coordination, and collaboration at all levels of government. This presentation will provide an overview of 5 Canadian multi-jurisdictional enteric illness outbreaks investigated in 2023 and 2024. Highlights include key findings from the epidemiological, food safety and traceback investigations, as well as the public health action(s) taken related to: Salmonella linked to contact with geckos, Listeria linked to recalled plant-based refrigerated beverages, Salmonella linked to imported pastries, Salmonella linked to snakes and feeder rodents, and Salmonella linked to cantaloupes.

Speaker

Megan Striha, MPH, BSc

Megan Striha is a Senior Epidemiologist with the Outbreak Management Division at the Public Health Agency of Canada. As a member of the Outbreak Response team, she works to coordinate the response to and investigation of multi-jurisdictional outbreaks of enteric illness. Megan began her career at Statistics Canada in the Health Statistics Branch as a data analyst before taking on a role as an epidemiologist with the Office of Biosafety Program and Planning during the pandemic. Megan holds a Bachelor of Science from the University of British Columbia and a Master of Public Health from Simon Fraser University.