HALIFAX – Nova Scotia has three more confirmed cases of E.coli 0157, bringing the total number in the Maritimes to 15.
The Department of Health and Wellness said on Jan. 3 there were seven reported cases in the province, while New Brunswick’s Chief Medical Officer of Health confirmed five cases in that province.
All of those cases were occurred from Dec. 23 to Dec. 26 and it’s believed the outbreak was possibly linked to a vegetable product with a shorter shelf life.
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The patients involved in the three new cases all began to experience symptoms between Dec. 28 and Jan. 2.
New Brunswick has had no more confirmed cases reported since the outbreak began.
Nova Sotia’s Chief Public Health Officer Dr. Robert Strang said residents should not be worried about the increase in the number of cases.
“We know the incubation period of E.coli 0157 is one to 10 days, so it is not uncommon to see additional cases arise, as more people who may exhibit symptoms get tested,” he said.
Of the three cases confirmed on Monday, one is in the Cumberland County District Health Authority and two in the Capital District Health Authority.
That brings the total number of cases reported by Capital Health to five, two in Guysborough Antigonish Strait Health Authority and one each in Pictou, Cumberland, and Colchester East Hants health authorities.
“We are working with other departments and agencies to determine the source as we continue our investigation,” Strang said.
E. coli 0157 is the same strain that killed seven people in Walkerton, Ont. in 2000.
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