While salmonella is commonly linked to meat that is not cooked properly, nine cases of salmonella poisoning on the Coast in the past four months have been linked to poorly washed vegetables.
"Residents of the Sunshine Coast are being warned to be on the alert for signs of salmonella following confirmation of nine cases across the community since July," said Paul Martiquet, medical health officer for Vancouver Coastal Health.
"While no point source has been determined, all cases have consumed long English cucumbers, tomatoes or peppers," he said. He said the vegetables might have become contaminated by food handlers who did not properly wash their hands or by contaminated water used to spray the vegetables.
"Even though a vegetable like the English cucumber looks clean and fresh and is wrapped in cellophane, it still needs to be washed thoroughly before being eaten," said Martiquet.
Symptoms of salmonella include abdominal pain, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting and fever starting as soon as 12 hours after ingestion of contaminated food or water. Anyone with these symptoms is advised to see their family doctor.
"While symptoms usually resolve over time, persistent infection may require antibiotics," said Martiquet.
There have been no new cases of salmonella poisoning on the Coast in the past two weeks.
