Category Archives: Food Illness

US – Vibrio Outbreak – Raw Undercooked Shellfish

Posted on July 2, 2012 by | Leave a comment

Food Poisoning Bulletin 

The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) has announced there is an outbreak of Vibriosis in eastern Missouri. The illnesses are caused by Vibrio parahaemolyticus, which is usually associated with eating raw or undercooked shellfish, particularly oysters.

Three cases of the illnesses have been identified June 27 and 28, 2012. Risk factors for acquiring this disease include eating raw or undercooked oysters, clams, mussels, or crabs; or cross-contamination of other foods or surfaces with raw seafood. The bacteria lives in brackish water and grows easily in warm water during the summer months.

 

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Posted in Bacteria, Eurofins Laboratories, Food Hygiene, Food Illness, Food Inspections, Food Poisoning, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Testing, Foodborne Illness, Illness, Microbiology, outbreak, Parasite, Vibrio, Vibrio parahaemolyticus

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UK – Darlington Pub – Four in Hospital – Salmonella

Posted on July 2, 2012 by | Leave a comment

The Northern Echo

FOUR people have been hospitalised after an outbreak of salmonella food poisoning at a Darlington pub that also led to another 15 people falling ill.

The Copper Beech pub, in Neasham Road, has voluntarily stopped serving food after a number of cases of the infectious disease were linked to its kitchens.

Officers from the Health Protection Agency (HPA) have started an investigation to discover the source of the outbreak, which they believe has now been contained.

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Posted in Bacteria, Eurofins Laboratories, Food Hygiene, Food Illness, Food Inspections, Food Poisoning, Food Safety, Food Testing, Foodborne Illness, Microbiology, Pathogen, Salmonella

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US Norovirus Outbreaks

Posted on July 2, 2012 by | Leave a comment

CDC – Outbreak Earlier this year. Basketball Tournament

WZZM – Cheerleaders suffer Norovirus outbreak.

About 35-40 high school girls were affected by the outbreak, which began late Tuesday or early Wednesday.  They suffered diarrhea, vomiting and stomach cramps, according to Kent County Health Department spokeswoman Lisa LaPlante, though none of the victims required medical treatment or hospitalisation.

WDRB – Notre Dame Norovirus Outbreak

The University of Notre Dame says Indiana State Department of Health lab tests confirm a norovirus cause of an outbreak of gastrointestinal illness that affected more than 100 youths taking part in sports camps.

The university said Saturday it received that news from St. Joseph County Health Officer Dr. Thomas Felger.

Notre Dame says a norovirus is very contagious and the most common “stomach bug” in the United States. It says the specific reason for the outbreak at Notre Dame remains unknown.

 

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Posted in Eurofins Laboratories, Food Hygiene, Food Illness, Food Inspections, Food Poisoning, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Virus, Foodborne Illness, Microbiology, Norovirus, outbreak, Pathogen

US – Organic Alfalfa Sprouts Salmonella Recall

Posted on June 28, 2012 by | 1 comment

FDA

As a precautionary measure, Banner Mountain Sprouts is voluntarily recalling organic sprouts under the following names: 4oz. zesty greens, 5oz. sprout salad, 4oz. clover, 2lb. clover, 4oz. alfalfa/broccoli, 4oz. alfalfa sprouts, and 1lb. & 2lb. alfalfa sprouts because they may be contaminated with salmonella. Routine testing showed signs of salmonella and Banner Mountain Sprouts was notified of possible contamination.

Salmonella is a bacterium that can cause an acute infection that can have symptoms such as diarrhea, fever and vomiting. Symptoms usually develop within one to four days after eating contaminated food. Most cases resolve without the need for medical attention. However, some individuals develop a serious illness that can lead to hospitalization.

The sprouts were distributed through retail stores and wholesalers in California. The products come in a 4 or 5 oz. clear, plastic, clamshell container and a 1lb. or 2lb. ziplock bag with a sell by date from 6/17/12 to 7/6/12. No illnesses have been associated with any Banner Mountain sprouts.

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Posted in Bacteria, Eurofins Laboratories, Food Illness, Food Inspections, Food Poisoning, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Testing, Foodborne Illness, Hygiene, Microbiology, Pathogen, Recall, Salmonella

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CIFA – Tahina Recall – Salmonella

Posted on June 27, 2012 by | Leave a comment

CIFA

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) and Phoenicia Group Inc. are warning the public not to consume Alkanater brand Tahina, described below, because the product may be contaminated with Salmonella.

The affected product, Alkanater brand Tahina, is sold in 454 g containers bearing the UPC 6 92551 00002 0, lot code TT3N-280312 and codes PRO: 28/03/2012 AND EXP: 28/03/2014.

This product has been distributed in Quebec, Ontario, Alberta, Manitoba and New Brunswick and may have been distributed nationally.

There have been no reported illnesses associated with the consumption of this product.

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Posted in Bacteria, Eurofins Laboratories, Food Hygiene, Food Illness, Food Inspections, Food Poisoning, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Testing, Foodborne Illness, Microbiology, Pathogen, Salmonella

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Hong Kong – Two Fatal Cases – Vibrio vulnificus

Posted on June 26, 2012 by | Leave a comment

Center for Health Protection

The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is investigating two fatal cases of Vibrio vulnificus infection, with one of them causing necrotising fasciitis (flesh-eating disease).
The case of necrotising fasciitis caused by Vibrio vulnificus affected a 48-year-old man with underlying medical conditions who lived in Shenzhen
His clinical diagnosis was necrotising fasciitis and bilateral above-knee amputations were performed. His condition continued to deteriorate and he passed away yesterday (June 19).
The patient’s blood culture grew Vibrio vulnificus and his tissue and wound swabs also detected Vibrio vulnificus.
 The case of Vibrio vulnificus infection involved a 61-year-old man with chronic illness who lived in Yuen Long. He developed fever since June 16 and loss of consciousness on June 17. He was admitted to Pok Oi Hospital on the same day. His condition deteriorated and he passed away on June 18.
His blood specimen taken during his admission yielded Vibrio vulnificus.
 The CHP’s investigation revealed that the patient had consumed raw mantis shrimp

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Posted in Bacteria, Eurofins Laboratories, Food Hygiene, Food Illness, Food Inspections, Food Poisoning, Food Safety, Food Testing, Foodborne Illness, Microbiology, Pathogen, Vibrio, Vibrio vulnificans

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France – Five Children Sick from Hamburger – E.coli

Posted on June 25, 2012 by | Leave a comment

Eygptian Gazette

Five children admitted to hospital in northern France after eating beef burgers infected with a strain of E.coli bacteria are seriously ill, health officials said on Thursday, fanning fears of a wider outbreak.

 The officials said the bacteria did not appear to be related to the lethal strain of E.coli that has killed 37 people and made 3,000 ill, most of them in northern Germany.

   Privately owned German discount chain Lidl withdrew boxes of the frozen beef patties believed to be behind the French infections. The boxes were sold under the brand “Steaks Country” and had expiry dates of May 10, 11 and 12, officials said.

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Posted in Bacteria, E.coli, Eurofins Laboratories, Food Hygiene, Food Illness, Food Inspections, Food Poisoning, Food Safety, Food Testing, Foodborne Illness, Microbiology, Pathogen

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E.coli O145 Outbreak – US 6 States

Posted on June 24, 2012 by | Leave a comment

E.coli Blog

A total of 15 persons infected with the outbreak strain of STEC O145 infection have been identified in 6 states.

The number of ill persons identified in each state is as follows: Alabama (2), California (1), Florida (1), Georgia (5), Louisiana (5), and Tennessee (1).

Four ill persons have been hospitalised. One death has been reported in Louisiana.

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Posted in Bacteria, E.coli, E.coli O145, Eurofins Laboratories, Food Hygiene, Food Illness, Food Inspections, Food Poisoning, Food Safety, Food Testing, Foodborne Illness, Microbiology, outbreak, Pathogen, Recall

Australia- Leg Ham Recall – Listeria monocytogenes

Posted on June 23, 2012 by | Leave a comment

FSANZ

Marchetti Smallgoods has recalled Leg Ham (sliced) from small independent supermarkets in Victoria due to Listeria monocytogenes  contamination. Listeria may cause illness in pregnant women and their unborn babies, the elderly and people with low immune systems. Consumers should not eat this product. Any consumers concerned about their health should seek medical advice.

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Posted in Bacteria, Eurofins Laboratories, Food Hygiene, Food Illness, Food Inspections, Food Poisoning, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Testing, FSANZ, Listeria, Listeria monocytogenes, Microbiology, Pathogen, Recall

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US Shigella Outbreak Source Unknown

Posted on June 23, 2012 by | Leave a comment

Shigella Blog

Public health officials are investigating an unusually large outbreak of shigellosis, a bacterial gastrointestinal illness that has sickened 25 people in Onondaga County.

The county Health Department announced there have been 15 laboratory confirmed cases and another 10 probable cases of shigellosis. More than half the cases involve children. Two of the people infected have been hospitalised and some others have been treated in emergency rooms and urgent care centers, said Dr. Cynthia Morrow, Onondaga County’s health commissioner.

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Posted in Bacteria, Eurofins Laboratories, Food Illness, Food Inspections, Food Poisoning, Food Safety, Food Testing, Foodborne Illness, Microbiology, outbreak, Pathogen, Shigella

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