Health officials in southwestern Alberta are dealing with an acute outbreak of salmonella.

Officials in Lethbridge say there are more than 30 cases, mostly in rural areas.

Many of the infections are secondary ones, meaning it is being spread by household contact.

Symptoms include nausea and vomiting and residents are warned that the most serious complication is dehydration.

Dirty cooking surfaces along with undercooked eggs and poultry are the common causes of salmonella.

Alberta health officials are working with Health Canada and First Nations and Inuit Health to stem the outbreak.