Category Archives: E.coli O157:H7

FDA – Core Outbreak Table – Investigations of Foodborne Illness Outbreaks

Posted on September 1, 2022 by KSW | Leave a comment

What’s New

An outbreak of Salmonella Mississippi (ref# 1097) in a not yet identified product has been added to the table and FDA has initiated traceback.
For the E. coli O157:H7 outbreak (ref# 1081) in a not yet identified food, sample collection and analysis have been initiated.
For the Salmonella Senftenberg outbreak (ref# 1087) in a not yet identified food, the case count has increased from 22 to 25 cases.
For the Salmonella Typhimurium outbreak (ref# 1095) in a not yet identified food, the case count has increased from 62 to 73 cases, an on-site inspection and sample collection and analysis has been initiated.
For the Cyclospora outbreak (ref# 1080) the case count has increased from 70 to 75.
For the Cyclospora outbreak (ref# 1084), the case count has increased from 41 to 42.
For the Salmonella Braenderup outbreak (ref# 1075), the case count increased from 74 to 75.
For the outbreak of Listeria monocytogenes (ref# 1057) linked to ice cream, FDA initiated an on-site inspection.

Posted in Cyclospora, Cyclosporiasis, E.coli O157, E.coli O157:H7, FDA, food bourne outbreak, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Research, Food Microbiology Testing, foodborne outbreak, foodbourne outbreak, Listeria, Listeria monocytogenes, microbial contamination, Microbiological Risk Assessment, Microbiology, Microbiology Investigations, Microbiology Risk, outbreak, Salmonella

USA – What you need to know about E. coli O157:H7 and its complications during an Outbreak

Posted on August 31, 2022 by KSW | Leave a comment

Food Poison Journal

E. coli O157:H7 is one of thousands of serotypes of Escherichia coli.

E. coli O157:H7 was first recognized as a pathogen in 1982 during an investigation into an outbreak of haemorrhagic colitis associated with consumption of hamburgers from a fast-food chain restaurant. Retrospective examination of more than three thousand E. coli culturesobtained between 1973 and 1982 found only one isolatewith serotype O157:H7, and that was a casein 1975. In the ten years that followed, there were approximately thirty outbreaks recorded in the United States. This number is likely misleading, however, because E. coli O157:H7 infections did not become a reportable disease in any state until 1987, when Washington became the first state to mandate its reporting to public health authorities. Consequently, an outbreak would not be detected if it was not large enough to prompt investigation.

E. coli O157:H7’s ability to induce injury in humans is a result of its ability to produce numerous virulence factors, most notably Shiga toxin (Stx), which is one of the most potent toxins known to man. Shiga toxin has multiple variants (e.g., Stx1, Stx2, Stx2c), and acts like the plant toxin ricin by inhibiting protein synthesis in endothelial and other cells. Endothelial cells line the interior surface of blood vessels and are known to be extremely sensitive to E. coli O157:H7, which is cytotoxigenic to these cells.

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Posted in Bacterial Toxin, Cytotoxic, E.coli O157, E.coli O157:H7, food bourne outbreak, Food Illness, Food Toxin, Foodborne Illness, foodborne outbreak, foodbourne outbreak, Illness, outbreak, STEC, STEC E.coli, STX 1, STX 2, Toxin

USA – Wendy’s E. coli outbreak in Indiana, Michigan, Ohio and Pennsylvania has sickened between 84 to 160 people

Posted on August 31, 2022 by KSW | Leave a comment

Food Poison Journal

Last week the CDC reported 84 E. coli cases – 53 in Michigan, 23 in Ohio, 6 in Indiana and 2 in Pennsylvania. However, Michigan reports at least 115 and Wood County in Ohio reports at least 23 which would bring Ohio case numbers to 37.

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Posted in E.coli O157, E.coli O157:H7, food bourne outbreak, food contamination, food handler, Food Hazard, Food Hygiene, Food Illness, Food Inspections, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Testing, Food Pathogen, Food Poisoning, food recall, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Safety Management, Food Testing, Food Toxin, Foodborne Illness, foodborne outbreak, foodbourne outbreak, Illness, outbreak, STEC, STEC E.coli

USA – Over 100 Cases Reported so Far in the Wendy’s E coli Outbreak

Posted on August 30, 2022 by KSW | Leave a comment

Food Poisoning News

In the latest update posted by the CDC on August 19th, 37 cases of E. coli O157:H7 infections were reported in the states of Ohio (19), Michigan (15), Indiana (1), and Pennsylvania (2). However, experts believe the actual number of infections to be much higher than 100, with estimates of at least 200 cases. Most notably, despite the CDC reporting 15 of the 37 cases occurring in Michigan, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) has reported 43 confirmed E. coli O157 infections. In total, the MDHHS received 98 reports of E. coli infections in August from Michigan residents. For reference, Michigan officials only received 20 reports of E. coli infections during the same time period in 2021. The 43 Michigan E. coli O157 infections have been confirmed to match the same strain of E. coli as the Wendy’s outbreak strain and all cases match the illness onset date of late July through early August. Michigan health officials are currently testing at least 55 additional E. coli infections to determine if they are also connected to the Wendy’s outbreak.

In Ohio, officials in Wood Country are testing samples from 22 residents with E. coli infections and have so far confirmed 9 of the cases to have stemmed from the same strain of E. coli bacteria. Experts believe that the true number of cases involved in the Wendy’s outbreak is much higher than reported and expect to see an increase of reported cases in the days to come.

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Posted in E.coli O157, E.coli O157:H7, food bourne outbreak, Food Illness, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Research, Food Microbiology Testing, Foodborne Illness, foodborne outbreak, foodbourne outbreak, Illness, microbial contamination, Microbiological Risk Assessment, Microbiology, Microbiology Investigations, Microbiology Risk, outbreak, STEC, STEC E.coli

Resaerch- Evaluation of Various Lactic Acid Bacteria and Generic E. coli as Potential Non-pathogenic Surrogates for In-Plant Validation of Biltong Dried Beef Processing

Posted on August 20, 2022 by KSW | Leave a comment

MDPI

Validation studies conducted within a food processing facility using surrogate organisms could better represent the manufacturing process than controlled laboratory studies with pathogenic bacteria on precision equipment in a BSL-2 lab. The objectives of this project were to examine potential surrogate bacteria during biltong processing, conduct biltong surrogate validation lethality studies, and measure critical factors and intrinsic parameters during processing. Beef pieces (1.9 cm × 5.1 cm × 7.6 cm) were inoculated with four-strain mixtures of Carnobacterium divergens/C. gallinarum, Pediococcus acidilactici/P. pentosaceous, and Biotype 1 E. coli ATCC BAA (-1427, -1428, -1429, and -1430), as well as a two-strain mixture of Latilactobacillus sakei and other commercially available individual bacterial cultures (P. acidilactici Saga200/Kerry Foods; Enterococcus faecium 201224-016/Vivolac Cultures). Inoculated beef was vacuum-tumbled in marinade and dried in a humidity-controlled oven for 8–10 days (24.9 °C; 55% relative humidity). Microbial enumeration of surviving surrogate bacteria and evaluation of intrinsic factors (water activity, pH, and salt concentration) were performed post inoculation, post marination, and after 2, 4, 6, 8, and 10 days of drying. Trials were performed in duplicate replication with triplicate samples per sampling time and analyzed by one-way RM-ANOVA. Trials conducted with E. faecium, Pediococcus spp., and L. sakei never demonstrated more than 2 log reduction during the biltong process. However, Carnobacterium achieved a >5 log (5.85 log) reduction over a drying period of 8 days and aligned with the reductions observed in previous trials with pathogenic bacteria (Salmonella, E. coli O157:H7, L. monocytogenes, and S. aureus) in biltong validation studies. Studies comparing resuspended freeze-dried or frozen cells vs. freshly grown cells for beef inoculation showed no significant differences during biltong processing. Carnobacterium spp. would be an effective nonpathogenic in-plant surrogate to monitor microbial safety that mimics the response of pathogenic bacteria to validate biltong processing within a manufacturer’s own facility. View Full-Text

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Posted in Decontamination Microbial, E.coli, E.coli O157, E.coli O157:H7, Enterococcus, Enterococcus faecium, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Research, Food Microbiology Testing, lactic acid bacteria, Listeria, Listeria monocytogenes, microbial contamination, Microbiological Risk Assessment, Microbiology, Microbiology Investigations, Microbiology Risk, Research, Salmonella, Staphylococcus aureus

USA – FSIS Issues Public Health Alert for Ground Beef Products Due to Possible E. coli O157:H7 Contamination

Posted on August 19, 2022 by KSW | Leave a comment

FSIS USDA

FSIS Announcement

WASHINGTON August 18, 2022 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is issuing a public health alert due to concerns that specific ground beef products may be adulterated with E. coli O157:H7. A recall was not requested because the products are no longer available for purchase.

The “Hawaii Big Island Beef” brand ground beef products were produced on August 8, 2022. The following products are subject to the public health alert [view labels]:

1-lb. vacuum sealed packages containing “Ground Beef (80) Fine 1#/pkg” with “Packed 08/08/22” and “Lot 220808” on the label and case code “134R1”.
1-lb. vacuum sealed packages containing “Ground Beef (Ln) Fine 1#/pkg” with “Packed 08/08/22” and “Lot 220808” on the label and case code “135R1”.
2-lb. vacuum sealed packages containing “Ground Beef (80) Fine 2#/pkg” with “Packed 08/08/22” and “Lot 220808” on the label and case code “134R2”.
10-lb. bags containing “Ground Beef (80) Fine 10# Poly Bag” with “Packed 08/08/22” and “Lot 220808” on the label and case code “0134P10”.
10-lb. vacuum sealed packages containing “Ground Beef (75) Fine 10# Vac Seal” with “Packed 08/08/22” and “Lot 220808” on the label and case code “130R10”.
10-lb. vacuum sealed packages containing “Ground Beef (80) Fine 10# Vac Seal” with “Packed 08/08/22” and “Lot 220808” on the label and case code “134R10”.
40-lb. box containing four 10-lb chubs of “Ground Beef (80) Fine 10#” with “Packed 08/08/22” and “Lot 220808” on the label and case code “0134”.

The products bear establishment number “EST. 1063” inside the USDA mark of inspection. These items were shipped to retail and restaurant locations in Hawaii.

The problem was discovered by FSIS during an assessment of the establishment’s production records associated with a sample that tested positive for E. coli O157:H7.

There have been no confirmed reports of adverse reactions due to consumption of these products.

Anyone concerned about an illness should contact a healthcare provider. E. coli O157:H7 is a potentially deadly bacterium that can cause dehydration, bloody diarrhea and abdominal cramps 2-8 days (3-4 days, on average) after exposure the organism. While most people recover within a week, some develop a type of kidney failure called hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). This condition can occur among persons of any age but is most common in children under 5-years old and older adults. It is marked by easy bruising, pallor, and decreased urine output. Persons who experience these symptoms should seek emergency medical care immediately.

FSIS is concerned that some product may be in consumers’ refrigerators or freezers. Consumers who have purchased these products are urged not to consume them. These products should be thrown away or returned to the place of purchase.

FSIS advises all consumers to safely prepare their raw meat products, including fresh and frozen, and only consume ground beef that has been cooked to a temperature of 160 F. The only way to confirm that ground beef is cooked to a temperature high enough to kill harmful bacteria is to use a food thermometer that measures internal temperature, https://www.fsis.usda.gov/safetempchart.

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Posted in E.coli, E.coli O157, E.coli O157:H7, food contamination, food handler, Food Hazard, Food Hygiene, Food Inspections, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Testing, Food Pathogen, Food Poisoning, food recall, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Testing, Food Toxin, FSIS, STEC, STEC E.coli, USDA

USA – FDA Coe Investigation Table Update

Posted on August 18, 2022 by KSW | Leave a comment

FDA

What’s New

An outbreak of E. coli O157:H7 (ref# 1081) in an unidentified product was added to the table and FDA has initiated a traceback investigation. CDC has issued an Investigation Notice.
An outbreak of Salmonella Senftenberg (ref# 1087) in an unidentified product was added to the table.
An outbreak of Salmonella Typhimurium (ref# 1095) in an unidentified product was added to the table and traceback has been initiated.
For the outbreak of Salmonella Braenderup (ref# 1075) in an unidentified product, the outbreak has ended.
For the outbreak of Cyclospora in an unidentified product (ref# 1084), the case count has increased from 77 to 98.
For the outbreak of hepatitis A illnesses linked to fresh strawberries (ref# 1066), the FDA investigation has closed and the outbreak is over.

Date Posted	Ref	Pathogen	Product(s) Linked to Illnesses (if any)	Total Case Count	Status
8/17/ 2022	1081	E. coli O157:H7	Not Yet Identified	See CDC Investigation Notice	Active
8/17/ 2022	1087	Salmonella Senftenberg	Not Yet Identified	19	Active
8/17/ 2022	1095	Salmonella Typhimurium	Not Yet Identified	44	Active
8/3/ 2022	1080	Cyclospora	Not Yet Identified	6	Active
7/27/ 2022	1084	Cyclospora	Not Yet Identified	98	Active
6/29/ 2022	1076	Not Yet Identified	Frozen Food	See Outbreak Advisory	Active
6/22/ 2022	1075	Salmonella Braenderup	Not Yet Identified	74	Active
6/22/ 2022	1072	Salmonella Paratyphi B var. L(+) tartrate+	Not Identified	14	Closed
6/15/ 2022	1070	Listeria monocytogenes	Not Identified	12	Closed
6/8/ 2022	1068	E. coli O157:H7	Not Identified	10	Closed
6/1/ 2022	1066	Hepatitis A Virus	Strawberries	See Outbreak Advisory	Closed
5/25/ 2022	1067	Salmonella Senftenberg	Peanut Butter	See Outbreak Advisory	Closed
4/20/ 2022	1064	Not Yet Identified	Dry Cereal	558 adverse event reports	Active
4/13/ 2022	1057	Listeria monocytogenes	Ice Cream	See Outbreak Advisory	Active
3/30/ 2022	1060	None Identified	Meal Replacement Drink	6 adverse event reports	Closed
3/16/ 2022	1055	Salmonella Saintpaul	Not Identified	60	Closed
2/17/ 2022	1056	Cronobacter sakazakii	Powdered Infant Formula	See Advisory	Active (IMG)
2/9/ 2022	1040	Listeria monocytogenes	Not Identified	20	Closed
2/2/ 2022	1054	Enteroinvasive E. coli O143:H26	Not Identified	16	Closed
1/10/ 2022	1050	E. coli O121:H19	Romaine	4	Closed

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Posted in Cronobacter sakazakii, Cyclospora, Cyclosporiasis, E.coli O121, E.coli O157, E.coli O157:H7, FDA, food bourne outbreak, Food Illness, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Research, Food Microbiology Testing, Foodborne Illness, Foodborne Illness Death, foodborne outbreak, foodbourne outbreak, Hepatitis A, Illness, Listeria, Listeria monocytogenes, microbial contamination, Microbiological Risk Assessment, Microbiology, Microbiology Investigations, Microbiology Risk, O143:H26, outbreak, Salmonella

Scotland – E. coli outbreak in Scotland linked to nursery

Posted on August 17, 2022 by KSW | Leave a comment

Food Safety News

Almost 30 cases of E. coli infection have been linked to a nursery in Scotland.

NHS Lothian is part of a team investigating 28 cases of E. coli linked to Pear Tree Nursery on Church Street in Haddington. Officials previously said E. coli O157 had sickened a number of young people in the East Lothian area.

Cases are confined to the nursery, respective households, or other close contacts. The site has been closed while the investigation continues.

A number of confirmed patients have been hospitalized but all are in a stable condition. Most people had mild symptoms and did not require hospital treatment.

Some people at a partner nursery in the same town reported symptoms of vomiting and diarrhoea, which have resolved without medical treatment. Meadowpark Pear Tree Nursery in Haddington has also been closed.

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Posted in E.coli O157, E.coli O157:H7, Food Illness, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Research, Food Microbiology Testing, Foodborne Illness, Illness, microbial contamination, Microbiological Risk Assessment, Microbiology, Microbiology Investigations, Microbiology Risk, STEC, STEC E.coli

USA – FDA Core Investigation Table Update

Posted on August 11, 2022 by KSW | Leave a comment

FDA

What’s New

For the outbreak of Cyclospora in an unidentified food (ref # 1084) the total case count has increased from 60 to 77.

Date Posted	Ref	Pathogen or Cause of Illness	Product(s) Linked to Illnesses (if any)	Total Case Count	Status
8/3/ 2022	1080	Cyclospora	Not Yet Identified	6	Active
7/27/ 2022	1084	Cyclospora	Not Yet Identified	77	Active
6/29/ 2022	1076	Not Yet Identified	Frozen Food	See Outbreak Advisory	Active
6/22/ 2022	1075	Salmonella Braenderup	Not Yet Identified	74	Active
6/22/ 2022	1072	Salmonella Paratyphi B var. L(+) tartrate+	Not Identified	14	Closed
6/15/ 2022	1070	Listeria monocytogenes	Not Identified	12	Closed
6/8/ 2022	1068	E. coli O157:H7	Not Identified	10	Closed
6/1/ 2022	1066	Hepatitis A Virus	Strawberries	See Outbreak Advisory	Active
5/25/ 2022	1067	Salmonella Senftenberg	Peanut Butter	See Outbreak Advisory	Closed
4/20/ 2022	1064	Not Yet Identified	Dry Cereal	558 adverse event reports	Active
4/13/ 2022	1057	Listeria monocytogenes	Ice Cream	See Outbreak Advisory	Active
3/30/ 2022	1060	None Identified	Meal Replacement Drink	6 adverse event reports	Closed
3/16/ 2022	1055	Salmonella Saintpaul	Not Identified	60	Closed
2/17/ 2022	1056	Cronobacter sakazakii	Powdered Infant Formula	See Advisory	Active (IMG)
2/9/ 2022	1040	Listeria monocytogenes	Not Identified	20	Closed
2/2/ 2022	1054	Enteroinvasive E. coli O143:H26	Not Identified	16	Closed
1/10/ 2022	1050	E. coli O121:H19	Romaine	4	Closed

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Posted in Cronobacter sakazakii, Cyclospora, Cyclosporiasis, E.coli O121, E.coli O157, E.coli O157:H7, food bourne outbreak, Food Illness, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Research, Food Microbiology Testing, Foodborne Illness, Foodborne Illness Death, foodborne outbreak, foodbourne outbreak, Hepatitis A, Illness, Listeria, Listeria monocytogenes, microbial contamination, Microbiological Risk Assessment, Microbiology, Microbiology Investigations, Microbiology Risk, O143:H26, outbreak, Salmonella

Research – English E. coli outbreak caused by milk pasteurisation problem in 2019

Posted on August 3, 2022 by KSW | Leave a comment

Cambridge Org

In November 2019, an outbreak of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli O157:H7 was detected in South Yorkshire, England. Initial investigations established consumption of milk from a local dairy as a common exposure. A sample of pasteurised milk tested the next day failed the phosphatase test, indicating contamination of the pasteurised milk by unpasteurised (raw) milk. The dairy owner agreed to immediately cease production and initiate a recall. Inspection of the pasteuriser revealed a damaged seal on the flow divert valve.

Ultimately, there were 21 confirmed cases linked to the outbreak, of which 11 (52%) were female, and 12/21 (57%) were either <15 or >65 years of age. Twelve (57%) patients were treated in hospital, and three cases developed haemolytic uraemic syndrome. Although the outbreak strain was not detected in the milk samples, it was detected in faecal samples from the cattle on the farm. Outbreaks of gastrointestinal disease caused by milk pasteurisation failures are rare in the UK. However, such outbreaks are a major public health concern as, unlike unpasteurised milk, pasteurised milk is marketed as ‘safe to drink’ and sold to a larger, and more dispersed, population. The rapid, co-ordinated multi-agency investigation initiated in response to this outbreak undoubtedly prevented further cases.

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Posted in E.coli O157, E.coli O157:H7, food bourne outbreak, Food Illness, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Research, Food Microbiology Testing, Food Poisoning, Foodborne Illness, foodborne outbreak, foodbourne outbreak, Illness, microbial contamination, Microbiological Risk Assessment, Microbiology, Microbiology Investigations, Microbiology Risk, outbreak, STEC, STEC E.coli

Category Archives: E.coli O157:H7

FDA – Core Outbreak Table – Investigations of Foodborne Illness Outbreaks

What’s New

USA – What you need to know about E. coli O157:H7 and its complications during an Outbreak

USA – Wendy’s E. coli outbreak in Indiana, Michigan, Ohio and Pennsylvania has sickened between 84 to 160 people

USA – Over 100 Cases Reported so Far in the Wendy’s E coli Outbreak

Resaerch- Evaluation of Various Lactic Acid Bacteria and Generic E. coli as Potential Non-pathogenic Surrogates for In-Plant Validation of Biltong Dried Beef Processing

USA – FSIS Issues Public Health Alert for Ground Beef Products Due to Possible E. coli O157:H7 Contamination

FSIS Announcement

USA – FDA Coe Investigation Table Update

What’s New

Scotland – E. coli outbreak in Scotland linked to nursery

USA – FDA Core Investigation Table Update

What’s New

Research – English E. coli outbreak caused by milk pasteurisation problem in 2019

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