Toronto Public Health confirms first three cases of Omicron variant in city
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency is investigating the first three cases of an illness caused by the Omicron variant of Salmonella in Toronto.
It is not clear whether all three individuals fell ill after consuming the same contaminated food.
Of the three, two are currently hospitalized in a local hospital and one is at home. All three are young adults.
“The person that fell ill in Toronto has not been identified; I can’t tell you whether it is someone in Toronto or if someone travelled there,” said Dr. Diane Leblanc, Chief Medical Officer with Toronto Public Health.
People with any signs or symptoms of gastroenteritis, including diarrhea, should contact their healthcare provider. Those who have travelled to or lived in countries where food is commonly contaminated should contact their healthcare provider in Canada.
The city also asks anyone with a symptom of illness to call Toronto Public Health at 416-982-2023 and report the symptoms as soon as possible.
It is not clear whether the people who reported the illness have been in contact with anyone who has fallen ill.
The public is encouraged to wash their hands and food establishments are asked to provide additional protection for customers who report they have been ill.
While Toronto Public Health asks people to not to eat or drink anything known to be contaminated with the Salmonella Omicron variant, they are asking restaurants, food service workers and grocery stores to do their own assessment of what they have on hand to ensure no one else has been exposed.
“We are reminding people to wash their hands, to be careful and not to go out and buy groceries or eat out,” said Leblanc.
Toronto Public Health advises anyone who has symptoms of gastroenteritis, including diarrhea, in order to remain home for one day if they do not feel better.
Dr. Diane Leblanc is the Chief Medical Officer with Toronto Public Health.
This is the first time that an illness with the Omicron variant has been linked to the city in over 25 years.
According to the Canada Food Inspection Agency, the O