Five people died in a salmonella outbreak linked to two brands of cantaloupe sold in Canada this fall, according to federal authorities.

Public Health Agency of Canada confirmed the deaths in its latest update on Thursday, although it did not provide further details.

The outbreak, linked to contaminated watermelon from the Malichita and Rudy brands, has affected 129 people in six Canadian provinces, nearly double the number of cases recorded since December 1, when only one death was reported.

Salmonella is a bacterium usually associated with raw or undercooked chicken, but it can also be found in raw fruits and vegetables. Most people who get sick recover on their own within a few days, but the illness can be severe and require hospitalization.

The current outbreak has been linked to contaminated watermelon from the above-mentioned brands, which was sold in October and November.

Cases have also risen in Quebec, where 91 infections were confirmed as of Thursday, up from 35 last week.

The agency said there are also 17 cases in Ontario and 15 cases in British Columbia, as well as two cases in New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, and Newfoundland and Labrador.

Almost half of those infected are over 65 years old, while one-third are children under five. There have been cases involving children under one year old and at least one adult up to 100 years old, according to the update.

Malichita watermelon, which was recalled, was sold in Canada between October 11 and November 14, while Rudy fruit was sold between October 10 and November 24.

Also according to the federal agency, people got sick between mid-October and mid-November, with 44 of them hospitalized. Specialists continue to investigate other infection cases to determine if they are linked to the watermelon.

The update said: "People infected with salmonella bacteria can spread it to others several days to several weeks after infection, even if they show no symptoms."

The Canadian Ministry of Health confirmed: "If you cannot verify the brand of your watermelon, or if your product is part of the agency's measures, it is recommended to dispose of it."

Meanwhile, U.S. authorities are also investigating a salmonella outbreak linked to contaminated watermelon. In that country, three people have died and 230 cases have been reported in 38 states.

The health agency said the cases in both countries are caused by the same genetic strain of salmonella bacteria.

Symptoms of salmonella infection also include fever, chills, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and headache. The Canadian Ministry of Health recommends that people who believe they are ill contact their healthcare provider.