Category Archives: Contaminated water

Research – Cyclospora cayetanensis: A Perspective (2020–2023) with Emphasis on Epidemiology and Detection Methods

Posted on September 6, 2023 by | Leave a comment

MDPI

Abstract

Cyclospora cayetanensis infections are prevalent worldwide, and the parasite has become a major public health and food safety concern. Although important efforts have been dedicated to advance toward preventing and reducing incidences of cyclosporiasis, there are still several knowledge gaps that hamper the implementation of effective measures to prevent the contamination of produce and water with Cyclospora oocysts. Some of these data gaps can be attributed to the fact that access to oocysts is a limiting factor in C. cayetanensis research. There are no animal models or in vivo or in vitro culture systems to propagate the oocysts needed to facilitate C. cayetanensis research. Thus, researchers must rely upon limited supplies of oocysts obtained from naturally infected human patients considerably restricting what can be learnt about this parasite. Despite the limited supply of C. cayetanensis oocysts, several important advances have happened in the past 3 years. Great progress has been made in the Cyclospora field in the areas of molecular characterization of strains and species, generation of genomes, and development of novel detection methods. This comprehensive perspective summarizes research published from 2020 to 2023 and evaluates what we have learnt and identifies those aspects in which further research is needed.

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Posted in Contaminated water, Cyclospora, Cyclosporiasis, Decontamination Microbial, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Research, Food Microbiology Testing, microbial contamination, Microbial growth, Microbiological Risk Assessment, Microbiology, Microbiology Investigations, Microbiology Risk, Parasite, Protozoan, Water, water microbiology, Water Safety

USA – Lehi E. coli Outbreak now stands at 12

Posted on August 22, 2023 by | Leave a comment

Food Poison Journal

An ongoing investigation into recent E. coli cases in Lehi led to the detection of E. coli O157 in samples collected from pressurized irrigation (PI) water sources in Lehi. Samples were taken from a PI reservoir and nine exposure sites on Monday, August 14. E. coli O157 was found in the sediment of the tested reservoir and at five of the exposure sites.

The investigation linked the source of the outbreak to using pressurized irrigation for drinking and recreation, such as running through sprinklers or playing on slip-n-slides. Currently, the Utah County Health Department has reported a total of 12 cases of E. coli. Pressurized irrigation water, unlike culinary water, is not treated, leaving it susceptible to contamination by harmful bacteria, including E. coli. The effects of E. coli can be severe, leading to a range of health issues. Pressurized irrigation water is not connected to the city culinary drinking water system. Using culinary water to water the lawn should not be used as an alternative water source.

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Posted in Contaminated water, E.coli, E.coli O157, E.coli O157:H7, Water, water microbiology, Water Safety

Solar Water Heating & Legionella – What You Need to Know

Posted on August 20, 2023 by | Leave a comment

Legionella Control

In this article the water safety specialists at Legionella Control International take a detailed look at solar water heating systems and the implications for the control of legionella.

The article examines the social and economic drivers for such eco-friendly heating systems, how they may increase the risks from legionella, and how these risks can be controlled to keep people safe from harm.

A version of this story dealing with the potential risks from legionella when using solar heating systems first appeared in Legionella Control International’s newsletter. To get it in your inbox, sign up for free at the link above.

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Posted in Contaminated water, Cooling Towers, Legionella, Water, water microbiology, Water Safety

Research – First Report of Aeromonas veronii as an Emerging Bacterial Pathogen of Farmed Nile Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) in Brazil

Posted on August 19, 2023 by | Leave a comment

MDPI

Abstract

Brazil is one of the world’s leading producers of Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus. However, the industry faces a major challenge in terms of infectious diseases, as at least five new pathogens have been formally described in the last five years. Aeromonas species are Gram-negative anaerobic bacteria that are often described as fish pathogens causing Motile Aeromonas Septicemia (MAS). In late December 2022, an epidemic outbreak was reported in farmed Nile tilapia in the state of São Paulo, Brazil, characterized by clinical signs and gross pathology suggestive of MAS. The objective of this study was to isolate, identify, and characterize in vitro and in vivo the causative agent of this epidemic outbreak. The bacterial isolates were identified as Aeromonas veronii based on the homology of 16S rRNA (99.9%), gyrB (98.9%), and the rpoB gene (99.1%). A. veronii showed susceptibility only to florfenicol, while it was resistant to the other three antimicrobials tested, oxytetracycline, enrofloxacin, and amoxicillin. The lowest florfenicol concentration capable of inhibiting bacterial growth was ≤0.5 µg/mL. The phenotypic resistance of the A. veronii isolate observed for quinolones and tetracycline was genetically confirmed by the presence of the qnrS2 (colE plasmid) and tetA antibiotic-resistant genes, respectively. A. veronii isolate was highly pathogenic in juvenile Nile tilapia tested in vivo, showing a mortality rate ranging from 3 to 100% in the lowest (1.2 × 104) and highest (1.2 × 108) bacterial dose groups, respectively. To our knowledge, this study would constitute the first report of highly pathogenic and multidrug-resistant A. veronii associated with outbreaks and high mortality rates in tilapia farmed in commercial net cages in Brazil.

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Posted in Aeromonas, Contaminated water, Decontamination Microbial, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Research, Food Microbiology Testing, microbial contamination, Microbial growth, Microbiological Risk Assessment, Microbiology, Microbiology Investigations, Microbiology Risk, water microbiology

USA – FSIS Issues Public Health Alert for Fresh Salads and Wraps with Meat and Poultry due to Possible Lettuce Contamination – Deer Feces

Posted on August 8, 2023 by | Leave a comment

FSIS USDA

WASHINGTON, Aug. 7, 2023 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is issuing a public health alert due to concerns that ready-to-eat (RTE) salads and wraps with meat and poultry may contain contaminated lettuce. The lettuce, which is regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), may be contaminated with deer feces. FSIS is issuing this public health alert to ensure that consumers are aware that this product should not be consumed.

The RTE salad and wrap products were produced on August 1, 2023, and August 2, 2023. The following products subject to the public health alert are [view labels]:

  • 8.65-oz. plastic film packages containing “Chicken Caesar Wrap FRESH SEASONS Kitchen” with lot code 21323 and 21423 and Sell by dates of 8/9/2023 and 8/10/2023.
  • 7.2-oz. plastic film packages containing “Chicken Caesar Wrap FRESH SEASONS Kitchen” with lot code 21323 and Fresh Thru date of 8/10/2023.
  • 8.5-oz. plastic clam shell packages containing “Chicken Caesar Salad FRESH SEASONS Kitchen” with lot code 21323 and Fresh Thru date of 8/9/2023.
  • 8.55-oz. plastic clam shell packages containing “Chef Salad FRESH SEASONS Kitchen” with lot codes 21323 and 21423 and Sell by dates of 8/9/2023 and 8/10/2023.
  • 5.85-oz. plastic clam shell packages containing “Bacon, Lettuce and Tomato Salad FRESH SEASONS Kitchen” with lot codes 21323 and 21423 and Sell by dates of 8/9/2023 and 8/10/2023.

The products bear the establishment number “P-45091” or “Est. 45091” on the front label. The products were shipped to retail locations in Minnesota and Wisconsin.

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Posted in bacterial contamination, Contaminated water, food contamination, microbial contamination

USA – Irrigation water likely link in Utah E. coli Outbreak

Posted on August 7, 2023 by | Leave a comment

Food Poison Journal

According to Utah health official and media, in the last two weeks, eight cases of E. coli (likely a shiga-toxin producing E. coli like E. coli O157:H7) were reported in Utah County residents, with at least five of the subjects hospitalized (likely with hemolytic uremic syndrome – HUS) due to the severity of symptoms.

Currently, all reported cases are residents of Lehi or have close ties to the city, says a statement from the Utah County Health Department.

Epidemiologists are working to identify the source of infection, it says. Preliminary investigation links the likely source of spread to using pressurized irrigation water for drinking and play.

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Posted in Contaminated water, E.coli, food bourne outbreak, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Research, Food Microbiology Testing, foodborne outbreak, foodbourne outbreak, Illness, microbial contamination, Microbial growth, Microbiological Risk Assessment, Microbiology, Microbiology Investigations, Microbiology Risk, outbreak, STEC, STEC E.coli, Water, water microbiology, Water Safety

Research – Waterborne Infectious Diseases Associated with Exposure to Tropical Cyclonic Storms, United States, 1996–2018

Posted on August 6, 2023 by | Leave a comment

CDC

Abstract

In the United States, tropical cyclones cause destructive flooding that can lead to adverse health outcomes. Storm-driven flooding contaminates environmental, recreational, and drinking water sources, but few studies have examined effects on specific infections over time. We used 23 years of exposure and case data to assess the effects of tropical cyclones on 6 waterborne diseases in a conditional quasi-Poisson model. We separately defined storm exposure for windspeed, rainfall, and proximity to the storm track. Exposure to storm-related rainfall was associated with a 48% (95% CI 27%–69%) increase in Shiga toxin–producing Escherichia coli infections 1 week after storms and a 42% (95% CI 22%–62%) in increase Legionnaires’ disease 2 weeks after storms. Cryptosporidiosis cases increased 52% (95% CI 42%–62%) during storm weeks but declined over ensuing weeks. Cyclones are a risk to public health that will likely become more serious with climate change and aging water infrastructure systems.

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Posted in Contaminated water, Cryptosporidiosis, Cryptosporidium, E.coli, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Testing, Legionella, Legionnaires’ disease, microbial contamination, Microbial growth, Microbiological Risk Assessment, Microbiology, Microbiology Investigations, Microbiology Risk, STEC, STEC E.coli, Water, water microbiology, Water Safety

USA – DPH warns residents about severe Vibrio infections caused by consumption of raw shellfish or exposure to salt or brackish water

Posted on July 31, 2023 by | Leave a comment

CT Portal

The Connecticut Department of Public Health (DPH) is warning residents about the potential dangers of consuming raw shellfish and exposure to salt or brackish water along Long Island Sound, due to severe Vibrio vulnificus infections.

 Since July 1, three cases of V. vulnificus infections have been reported to DPH. The three patients are between 60-80 years of age. All three patients were hospitalized and one died.  One patient reported consuming raw oysters from an out-of-state establishment. Two patients reported exposure to salt or brackish water in Long Island Sound. Both patients had pre-existing open cuts or wounds or sustained new wounds during these activities which likely led to the infections. 

 “The identification of these severe cases, including one fatality, due to V. vulnificus is concerning,” said DPH Commissioner Manisha Juthani, MD. “People should consider the potential risk of consuming raw oysters and exposure to salt or brackish water and take appropriate precautions. Particularly during the hottest months of the summer, bacteria are more likely to overgrow and contaminate raw shellfish. Given our current heat wave, this may be a time to exercise particular caution in what you consume.”

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Posted in Contaminated water, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Testing, microbial contamination, Microbial growth, Microbiological Risk Assessment, Microbiology, Microbiology Investigations, Microbiology Risk, Shellfish, Vibrio, Vibrio vulnificans, Vibrio vulnificus, Water, water microbiology, Water Safety

Ireland – Boil notice an ongoing risk for the immunocompromised in West Limerick -Cryptosporidium

Posted on July 31, 2023 by | Leave a comment

Limerick Post

LIMERICK residents who are at risk by being immunocompromised may be waiting months before they can shower in their own homes.

“Months” is how long Uisce Éireann says it may be until it can put a new treatment system in place to deal with cryptosporidium (a parasite found in human and animal faeces) found in the water supply at the Shannon Estuary Water Treatment Plant, which has seen a boil notice enforced in the area since May.

Affected households have been told that the water is safe to drink and to use to brush teeth if boiled, but medical experts warn that while infection can cause healthy people to become mildly ill, it can lead to a life-threatening illness for people with weak immune systems.

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Posted in Boil Water Notice, Contaminated water, Cryptosporidiosis, Cryptosporidium, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Research, Food Microbiology Testing, microbial contamination, Microbial growth, Microbiological Risk Assessment, Microbiology, Microbiology Investigations, Microbiology Risk, Water, water microbiology, Water Safety

France – Chocolate Gourmet Cream 2x120g – Possible Micro Contamination

Posted on July 27, 2023 by | Leave a comment

Gov france

Identification information of the recalled product

  • Product category Feed
  • Product subcategory Milk and dairy products
  • Product brand name Bonneterre
  • Model names or references Chocolate Gourmet Cream 2x120g Bonneterre
  • Identification of products
    GTIN Batch Date
    3396410241414 L 131770033 Use-by date 07/27/2023
  • Packaging 2 glass jars grouped together by a cardboard box
  • Marketing start/end date From 04/07/2023 to 25/07/2023
  • Storage temperature Product to be stored in the refrigerator
  • Health mark EN 22.258.002 EC
  • Further information Chocolate Gourmet Cream with the DLC 07/27/2023
  • Geographic area of ​​sale Whole France
  • Distributors ORGANIC specialty stores

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Posted in bacterial contamination, Contaminated water, cross contamination, Decontamination Microbial, food contamination