Food poisoning sick list reaches 140

The number of people affected by Canberra's worst food poisoning outbreak has reached 140 people.

The people became ill with salmonella poisoning after eating at The Copa Brazilian Churrasco restaurant in Dickson at the weekend.

Investigators are continuing to test the food from the restaurant but they have found salmonella in the mayonnaise.

Fifteen people were admitted to hospital for treatment.

ACT Health is also investigating a second unrelated food poisoning outbreak at an unnamed venue in Canberra's south.

It says more than 90 patrons came down with gastroenteritis but their symptoms were not severe.

Only 3 people linked to the second eatery sought medical help from their doctor.

ACT chief health officer Paul Kelly says the worst of the salmonella outbreak is over.

"Fifteen have been hospitalised. Luckily none of them very serious. But some have spent more than a day or two in the hospital," he said.

"Most patients just required rehydration just by mouth but it can be by drip for the more severe cases. Some people have received antibiotics."

ACT Health has deactivated emergency response measures with demand on emergency departments returning to a normal level.

Dr Kelly says the peak of the outbreak stretched resources.

"It was on the back of a very busy month already so having something like this, particularly with what you need to do to keep people separated from other patients to stop any cross infection, was actually quite tough," he said.

Both venues remain closed.

Source: ABC News, 16 May 2013