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July 26, 2018 Update
As of July 24, 2018, CDC reports that there were 77 cases in nine states with 36 hospitalizations. Illnesses occurred from April 30, 2018, to July 2, 2018. Ill people ranged in age from less than 1 year to 97, with a median age of 67. Sixty-seven percent were female. Out of 70 people with information available, 36 (51%) were hospitalized. No deaths were reported.
On 10 August 2016, the Maricopa County Department of Public Health identified culture-confirmed Salmonella enterica serotype Javiana isolates from two persons who reported eating at a seafood restaurant; seven additional cases were reported by 15 August. We investigated to identify a source and prevent further illness. We interviewed persons with laboratory-reported Salmonella Javiana infection. Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) and whole genome sequencing of isolates were performed. A case was defined as diarrheal illness in a person during July to September 2016; confirmed cases had Salmonella Javiana isolate yielding outbreak-related PFGE patterns; probable cases had diarrheal illness and an epidemiologic link to a confirmed case. Case finding was performed (passive surveillance and identification of ill meal companions). A case-control study assessed risk factors for Salmonella Javiana infection among restaurant diners; control subjects were chosen among meal companions. No restaurant workers reported illness. Foods were reportedly cooked according to the Food Code. Food and environmental samples were collected and cultured; Salmonella Javiana with an indistinguishable PFGE pattern was isolated from portioned repackaged raw shrimp, halibut, and a freezer door handle. We identified 50 Salmonella Javiana cases (40 confirmed and 10 probable); illness onset range was from 22 July to 17 September 2016. Isolates from 40 patients had highly related PFGE patterns. Thirty-three (73%) of 45 patients interviewed reported eating at the restaurant. Among 21 case patients and 31 control subjects, unfried cooked shrimp was associated with illness (odds ratio, 6.7; 95% confidence interval, 1.8 to 24.9; P = 0.004). Among restaurant diners, laboratory and case-control evidence indicated shrimp as the possible outbreak source; poor thermal inactivation of Salmonella on shrimp is theorized as a possible cause. Cross-contamination might have prolonged this outbreak; however, the source was not identified and highlights limitations that can arise during these types of investigations.
LEXINGTON, Ky. (WKYT) – The Lexington-Fayette County Health Department says it has received more reports of illnesses stemming from the Fayette Mall food court.
Fayette Mall announced it is closing the food court as a result of the reported illnesses out of an abundance of caution. The health department recommended it closed.
The health department says more than 150 reports of illnesses are known at this time, but it is unsure what the actual cause of the illness is. Officials believe it is related to a stomach bug because of the symptoms.
“These are folks who got sick relatively quickly after eating there,” health department commissioner Dr. Kraig Humbaugh said.
Posted in Food Illness, Foodborne Illness, Illness, Uncategorized
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Increased use of ingredient-based analyses is being promoted by researchers after the method was used to identify the source of infection in an E. coli outbreak.
Public Health England was alerted to an outbreak of Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) O157 phage type (PT) 34 in July 2016 involving 56 cases in England and Wales. The source of infection was baby-mixed leaf salad, which was an ingredient in multiple dishes.
“A traditional analysis may have resulted in multiple menu items being associated with illness, thereby failing to identify the true source of infection,” said researchers.
Posted in E.coli, E.coli O157, E.coli O157:H7, food contamination, Food Hygiene, Food Illness, Food Inspections, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Pathogen, Food Poisoning, food recall, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Testing, Food Toxin, outbreak, STEC, Uncategorized
In an update on the Cyclospora situation in Illinois, The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) reports that as of today, 458 cases of cyclosporiasis in counties across Illinois, wth people becoming ill starting in mid-May.
Health officials report 178 Illinois cases reported eating salads from McDonald’s in the days before becoming ill and 135 Illinois cases are linked to a private event held at the Evanston Golf Club.
Cyclosporiasis is an intestinal illness caused by the parasite Cyclospora cayetanensis. People can become infected with Cyclospora by consuming food or water contaminated with the parasite; it is not transmitted directly from one person to another person. The most common symptom of cyclosporiasis is watery diarrhea, which can be profuse. Other common symptoms include anorexia, fatigue, weight loss, nausea, flatulence, abdominal cramping, and myalgia; vomiting and low-grade fever may also occur.
The latest report from CDC puts the laboratory-confirmed case count of cyclosporiasis in people who reportedly consumed contaminated Del Monte trays at 237. The infections are in Iowa, Minnesota, Wisconsin and Michigan. Seven people have been hospitalized, and no deaths have been reported.
More than one month ago, Del Monte recalled 6- ,12-, and 28-ounce vegetable trays containing broccoli, cauliflower, carrots and dill dip. The products were sold to Kwik Trip, Kwik Star, Demond’s, Sentry, Potash, Meehan’s, Country Market, FoodMax Supermarket and Peapod. According to an FDA update, Del Monte is also recalling 28-ounce veggie trays that were distributed to Illinois and Indiana.
FDA, CDC and other federal agencies continue to investigate the multistate outbreak. They are advising that the vegetable trays are neither sold nor consumed.
More information is available on the CDC website.
More than 100 people fell ill due to a food-borne parasite they allegedly picked up at a suburban golf course, authorities said.
Skokie health officials said they believe it happened during a July 3rd celebration at Evanston Golf Club, which is located in Skokie, where some 950 members and guests gathered for a big picnic and fireworks. Many of them started feeling sick about a week later, and when they compared notes they realized the common thread was the event at the club.
The cause was Cyclosporiasus, a food-borne illness caused by microscopic parasites.
Dr. Catherine Counard from the Skokie Health Department said people generally become ill about a week after ingesting the parasites. Symptoms include watery diarrhea, loss of appetite, nausea and fatigue.
MOSCOW, July 20. /TASS/. About 190 people picked up a severe case of food poisoning in Russia’s Tuva Region, and nearly 100 of them have been hospitalized, Tuva Regional Head Sholban Kara-ool informed on Friday.
Visitors to a local kebab place ended up suffering from an intestinal infection. “In total, 187 people have sought medical attention over the past couple of days, and 99 have been hospitalized. The other 88 are receiving ambulatory treatment at home under supervision of local physicians and pediatricians. As of today, 13 people have left the hospital because their condition improved, while 86 people remain hospitalized,” the head of Tuva wrote on his VK account.
Waitrose is recalling Crisp & Creamy Deli Style Coleslaw Side Salad because Listeria has been found in the product.
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No other Waitrose products are known to be affected.
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