An ongoing outbreak of salmonella infections in eight provinces is linked to snakes and rodents used to feed them, the Public Health Agency of Canada says.

As of March 19, there are 70 confirmed cases of Salmonella I and Salmonella typhimurium illness reported in this outbreak in:

British Columbia (3). Alberta (10). Saskatchewan (7). Manitoba (3). Ontario (32). Quebec (11). New Brunswick (1) Newfoundland and Labrador (3).

“Many of the individuals who became sick reported direct or indirect contact with snakes and feeder rodents (used as reptile food) before their illnesses occurred,” the agency said in a release.