Salmonella warning as weather warms up

There has been a big spike in the number of salmonella infections in Canberra this year.

So far more than 200 cases have been reported to ACT Health, with 15 people needing hospital treatment.

Nearly 60 of those cases have been traced back to cafes and restaurants.

In 2011 there were 161 cases.

Chief health officer Paul Kelly is warning of further outbreaks over the high-risk summer period.

"We are entering the summer season which is our peak season for salmonella so it's a good time to remind people to watch out for what they're eating and how they're preparing food," he said.

Dr Kelly says people need to take extra care when handling food, particularly eggs and raw chicken.

"We're already starting to see the occasional case in the last few weeks," he said.

"But hopefully with some of the work we've done with industry and cafes and improving food safety in cafes that we won't see such a large peak this summer. But we'll just have to keep monitoring that situation."

Source: ABC News, 10 December 2012