Category Archives: E.coli O157:H7

Research – Inactivation of Escherichia coli O157:H7 and Salmonella and Native Microbiota on Fresh Strawberries by Antimicrobial Washing and Coating

Posted on July 8, 2018 by | Leave a comment

Journal of Food Protection Hepatitis A kswfoodworld

Antimicrobial washing (AW), antimicrobial coating (AC), and a combination of washing followed by coating (AW+AC) were evaluated for their ability to inactivate artificially inoculated foodborne pathogens and native microbiota on strawberries stored at 4°C. Strawberries were inoculated with a six-strain composite of Escherichia coli O157:H7 and Salmonella; treated by AW, AC, or AW+AC; and stored at 4°C for 3 weeks. The washing solution contained 90 ppm of peracetic acid, and the coating solution consisted of chitosan (1%, w/v), allyl isothiocyanate (1%, v/v), and corn-bio fiber gum (5%, w/v). The effectiveness of the antimicrobial treatments against E. coli O157:H7 and Salmonella pathogens and native microflora on strawberries and their impact on fruit quality (appearance, weight loss, color, and firmness) were determined. By the end of storage, pathogen populations on strawberries were 2.5 (AW+AC), 2.9 (AC), 3.8 (AW), and 4.2 log CFU for the positive (untreated) control. AW+AC treatments also inactivated the greatest population of native microflora, followed by the AC treatment alone. AW+AC treatments showed additional antimicrobial effectiveness against these two pathogens and native microflora. Both AW+AC and AC treatments preserved the color, texture, and appearance of strawberries throughout storage. The coating treatments (AW+AC and AC alone) further reduced the loss of moisture throughout storage. The AW treatment was the least effective in reducing populations of pathogens and native microflora and in maintaining the quality of strawberries throughout storage. This study demonstrates a method to improve the microbiological safety, shelf life, and quality of strawberries.

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Posted in E.coli, E.coli O157, E.coli O157:H7, Salmonella, Uncategorized

Research – Petting zoos as sources of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) infections

Posted on July 7, 2018 by | Leave a comment

X-MOL

Despite their general low incidence, Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia (E.) coli (STEC) infections are considered an important public health issue due to the severity of illness that can develop, particularly in young children. We report on two Austrian petting zoos, one in Tyrol (2015) and one in Vorarlberg (2016), which were identified as highly likely infection sources of STEC infections. The petting zoo related cases involved a case of hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) due to STEC O157:HNM in 2015 and an outbreak of STEC O157:H7 infections affecting five young children and two adults in 2016. The HUS case accounted for 2.8% of the 36 STEC O157:HNM/H7 infections notified in Austria in 2015 (5,9% of 17 HUS cases). The seven cases described for 2016 accounted for 4.0% of the 177 human STEC infections documented for Austria in 2016, and for 19% of the 36 STEC O157:HNM/H7 infections notified that year. The evaluation of the STEC infections described here clearly underlines the potential of sequence-based typing methods to offer suitable resolutions for public health applications. Furthermore, we give a state-of-the-art mini-review on the risks of petting zoos concerning exposure to the zoonotic hazard STEC and on proper measures of risk-prevention.

A table of petting zoo outbreaks is available at http://www.barfblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/Petting-Zoo-Outbreaks-Table-7-26-17.xlsx

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Posted in E.coli, E.coli O157, E.coli O157:H7, STEC, Uncategorized, VTEC

Canada – Food Recall Warning – Certain extra lean ground beef products recalled due to E. coli O157

Posted on July 2, 2018 by | Leave a comment

CFIA

Recall details

Ottawa, June 29, 2018 – The Butcher’s Blend is recalling certain extra lean ground beef products from the marketplace due to possible E. coli O157 contamination. Consumers should not consume the recalled products described below.

Recalled products

Brand Name Common Name Size Code(s) on Product UPC
None Extra Lean Ground Beef Approx. 1 lb None – Sold by The Butcher’s Blend at the Western Fair District Farmer’s Market on June 16, 2018 None
Mitchell’s Butcher’s Blend / Old East Village Grocer Extra Lean Ground Beef Approx. 1 lb Best Before JUN 23/18 Starts with 0 200150
Mitchell’s Butcher’s Blend / Old East Village Grocer Extra Lean Ground Beef Approx. ½ lb Best Before JUN 23/18 Starts with 0 200150

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Posted in CFIA, E.coli, E.coli O157, E.coli O157:H7, food contamination, Food Hygiene, Food Inspections, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Pathogen, food recall, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Testing, Food Toxin, STEC, Uncategorized, VTEC

USA – Canal water likely source of E. coli in romaine-related outbreak

Posted on July 2, 2018 by | Leave a comment

Food Safety News 

 

Federal officials say contaminated canal water near romaine lettuce growing fields is the likely source of the unusually virulent strain of E. coli that has sickened people across 36 states, killing five.

The outbreak is over, according to an update this afternoon from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The agency has confirmed 210 people with infections. Twenty-seven of the victims have developed kidney failure. The most recent victim became sick on June 6.

“Samples have been collected from environmental sources in the region, including water, soil, and cow manure. Evaluation of these samples is ongoing,” according to an update this afternoon from the Food and Drug Administration investigators.

“To date, CDC analysis of samples taken from canal water in the region has identified the presence of E. coli O157: H7 with the same genetic fingerprint as the outbreak strain. We have identified additional strains of Shiga-toxin producing E. coli in water and soil samples, but at this time, the samples from the canal water are the only matches to the outbreak strain.”

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Posted in E.coli, E.coli O157, E.coli O157:H7, food bourne outbreak, food contamination, food death, Food Hygiene, Food Illness, Food Inspections, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Pathogen, Food Poisoning, food recall, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Testing, Food Toxin, foodborne outbreak, foodbourne outbreak, outbreak, Uncategorized

USA – Family of East Tennessee boy with E. coli asks for breast milk donations

Posted on June 29, 2018 by | Leave a comment

WATE.COM

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WATE) – UPDATE: The family says they have found a source for breast milk, but would let people know if they need more.

The parents of a 2-year-old in Children’s Hospital due to complications from E. coli are asking for donations of breast milk for his feeding tube.

James and Genevieve Zenker posted to Facebook their 27-month-old son William has hemolytic uremic syndrome. They say he is suffering from kidney failure and colitis, as well as brain insult.

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Posted in E.coli, E.coli O157:H7, Uncategorized

USA – FDA Investigating Multistate Outbreak of E. coli O157:H7 Infections Linked to Romaine Lettuce from Yuma Growing Region

Posted on June 29, 2018 by | Leave a comment

FDA Eurofins Food Testing UK

Update

The FDA, along with CDC and state partners, initiated an environmental assessment in the Yuma growing region to further investigate potential sources of contamination linked to this outbreak.

Samples have been collected from environmental sources in the region, including water, soil, and cow manure. Evaluation of these samples is ongoing.

To date, CDC analysis of samples taken from canal water in the region has identified the presence of E. coli 0157:H7 with the same genetic finger print as the outbreak strain. We have identified additional strains of Shiga-toxin producing E. coli in water and soil samples, but at this time, the samples from the canal water are the only matches to the outbreak strain.

Analysis of additional samples is still ongoing, and any new matches to the outbreak strain will be communicated publicly and with industry in the region.

Identification of the outbreak strain in the environment should prove valuable in our analysis of potential routes of contamination, and we are continuing our investigation in an effort to learn more about how the outbreak strain could have entered the water and ways that this water could have come into contact with and contaminated romaine lettuce in the region.

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Posted in Biotoxin, E.coli, E.coli O157, E.coli O157:H7, Enterotoxin, food contamination, Food Hygiene, Food Illness, Food Inspections, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Pathogen, Food Poisoning, food recall, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Testing, Food Toxin, Foodborne Illness, foodborne outbreak, foodbourne outbreak, Shigatoxin, STEC, Uncategorized, VTEC

Holland – Research on pathogens in dairy goat and dairy sheep farms

Posted on June 18, 2018 by | Leave a comment

RIVM 

Image CDC

Synopsis

Animals can carry pathogens that can cause disease in humans (zoonoses). In 2016, the RIVM and the NVWA investigated whether dairy goats and dairy sheep carry such pathogens; sometimes this is also done for livestock farmers, their family members and employees. These pathogens usually cause diarrhoea but sometimes the infections are more severe.

Research shows that a few pathogens occur often on dairy goat and dairy sheep farms. These bacteria reside in the intestines of the animals, and are excreted in manure. A small amount of manure is enough to contaminate raw milk or unpasteurised cheese. Visitors to these farms can also become infected if they come into contact with the animals or their environment. Contamination can be prevented by consuming or processing all milk pasteurized. Visitors can reduce the risk of disease by washing their hands if they have been in contact with the animals or their environment.

STEC and Campylobacter bacteria, in particular, were frequently found. STEC was detected at virtually all the farms that were investigated. Campylobacter was detected at 33 percent of the goat farms and 95.8 percent of the sheep farms. These bacteria were found much less often among the farmers and their family members. Listeria was detected less often: at 8.8 percent of the goat farms and 16.7 percent of the sheep farms, and not among people. However, it is a relevant pathogen since unpasteurised soft cheese is the most important source of Listeria infection in humans.

Salmonella was not found at dairy goat farms but was found at 12.5 percent of the dairy sheep farms. On most farms, only a type of Salmonella that is not transmitted to humans was found. ESBL-producing bacteria, which are insensitive to many antibiotics, were detected at 1.7 percent of the goat farms and 4.2 percent of the sheep farms. They were also found in 6.8 percent of the people. This percentage is not higher than for the general population.

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Posted in Campylobacter, E.coli, E.coli O103, E.coli O104, E.coli O111, E.coli O121, E.coli O128, E.coli O145, E.coli O157, E.coli O157:H7, E.coli O26, Food Pathogen, Listeria, Listeria monocytogenes, Pathogen, pathogenic, Salmonella, STEC, Uncategorized

Research – Outbreak of E. coli O157:H7 Infections Associated with Exposure to Animal Manure in a Rural Community — Arizona and Utah, June–July 2017

Posted on June 15, 2018 by | Leave a comment

CDC O157

On June 26, 2017, a hospital in southern Utah notified the Utah Department of Health of Shiga toxin–producing Escherichia coli (STEC) O157:H7 infections in two children from a small community on the Arizona-Utah border. Both children developed hemolytic uremic syndrome, characterized by hemolytic anemia, acute kidney failure, and thrombocytopenia and died within a few days of illness onset. Over the next few days, several more STEC-associated illnesses were reported in residents of the community. A joint investigation by local and state health agencies from Arizona and Utah and CDC was initiated to identify the outbreak source and prevent additional cases; a total of 12 cases were identified, including the two children who died. Investigators initially explored multiple potential sources of illness; epidemiologic and environmental information revealed cow manure contact as the likely initial cause of the outbreak, which was followed by subsequent person-to-person transmission. One of the outbreak strains was isolated from bull and horse manure collected from a yard near a community household with two ill children. Local health agencies made recommendations to the public related to both animal contact and hand hygiene to reduce the risk for STEC transmission. Animal or animal manure contact should be considered a potential source of STEC O157:H7 during outbreaks in communities where ruminants are kept near the home

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Posted in E.coli O157, E.coli O157:H7, Uncategorized

USA – E. coli Outbreak Associated with Raw Milk and Farm Animals in TN Updated

Posted on June 15, 2018 by | Leave a comment

Food Poisoning Bulletin O157

The E. coli O157 outbreak associated with raw milk and contact with farm animals in Tennessee has been updated by the Knox County Health Department. Public health officials are investigating any potential connections between these two likely sources, and it is possible that there are two unrelated E. coli clusters. At least ten children have been sickened in this outbreak

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Posted in E.coli, E.coli O157, E.coli O157:H7, Food Hygiene, Food Illness, Food Inspections, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Poisoning, food recall, Food Safety, Food Testing, Food Toxin, Foodborne Illness, Uncategorized

Information – Parents urged to check their homes for raw milk – E.coli O157

Posted on June 11, 2018 by | Leave a comment

Food Safety News 

Image CDC

Health officials in Tennessee have repeated their public warning against drinking unpasteurized milk from French Broad Farm, confirming Thursday that more than 10 children are sick with infections from E. coli. The majority of the children were given raw milk from the farm before becoming sick.

The dairy has stopped distributing milk, according to a statement from the Knox County Health Department (KCHD). The health department did not report when French Broad stopped distribution. The department began receiving reports “last week” about children with infections from E. coli O157:H7.

In their public warning, county health officials urged people to check their homes for French Broad unpasteurized, raw dairy products.

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Posted in E.coli, E.coli O157, E.coli O157:H7, Food Hygiene, Food Illness, Food Inspections, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Poisoning, food recall, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Testing, Raw Milk, Uncategorized