Category Archives: Food Virus

Schmallenberg virus – FSA Advice to Consumers

Posted on February 28, 2012 by | Leave a comment

FSA 

The Food Standards Agency is advising the public that, based on current evidence, there is unlikely to be any risk to consumers through the food chain from the virus that is causing abnormalities in livestock.

No illness has been reported to date in humans exposed to animals infected with the Schmallenberg virus, which is thought to be carried by midges. The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) and the Health Protection Agency (HPA) have stated the virus is unlikely to cause disease in humans.

Defra is actively monitoring the situation and the FSA is in contact with both Defra and the HPA to keep the issue under review.

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Posted in Eurofins Laboratories, Food Illness, Food Safety, Food Standards Agency, Food Testing, Food Virus, Schmallenberg virus

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Norovirus Four Major US Outbreaks this Winter

Posted on February 27, 2012 by | Leave a comment

Penn State Blog 

The leading cause of foodborne disease is making its mark this winter. Just this February, Norovirus caused more than 200 attendees at a cheerleader camp in Washington State to become ill. In St. Maarten, a cruise ship returned to port as 31 became ill. In Virginia, an elementary school was closed because so many students were ill. And in New Jersey, more than 400 college students become ill at three universities located in the same county.

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Posted in Eurofins Laboratories, Food Hygiene, Food Illness, Food Poisoning, Food Safety, Food Virus, Microbiology, Norovirus, outbreak, Pathogen, Recall

US – Norovirus Outbreak – 85 Cases

Posted on February 17, 2012 by | Leave a comment

The Washington Post

George Washington University officials alerted the campus Wednesday that about 85 students were infected by norovirus this week.

After testing by the university’s Student Health Service and D.C. Department of Health, officials confirmed that norovirus was the cause of dozens of cases of gastrointestinal illness since Monday, university officials said in a prepared release. They said they could find no common link for the infections, as students were affected who live at the Foggy Bottom campus, the Mount Vernon campus and off campus.

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Posted in Eurofins Laboratories, Food Illness, Food Testing, Food Virus, Hygiene, Norovirus, outbreak, Pathogen

Hepatitis A – 2011 Two Outbreaks in Europe

Posted on February 15, 2012 by | Leave a comment

Eurosurveillence

In October 2011, two primary cases of hepatitis A virus (HAV) infection with identical HAV genotype IB strains to those seen in other outbreaks associated with semi-dried tomatoes were reported in England. Both cases had consumed semi-dried tomatoes. Epidemiological investigations revealed two additional cases of genotype IB strains with different sequences who also reported having consumed semi-dried tomatoes. In November, five cases of HAV infection with closely related strains were identified in the Netherlands. A foodborne multiple-strain outbreak is suspected.

Euroserveillance

In November 2011, a cluster of initially five cases of hepatitis A infection with closely related strains was identified in the Netherlands. England reported possibly related cases. Strains with identical sequences had been involved in previous outbreaks linked to semi-dried tomatoes. Investigation of the Dutch cluster suggested a link with ready-to-eat salads including those containing semi-dried tomatoes. Despite trace-back, a source was not identified. Vigilance is needed, and rapid sharing of data may help source-tracing.

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Posted in Eurofins Laboratories, Food Illness, Food Poisoning, Food Safety, Food Testing, Food Virus, Hepatitis A, Microbiology, outbreak, Pathogen

More US Norovirus – Cheeleaders and Subway

Posted on February 13, 2012 by | Leave a comment

Cheerleaders

Health officials confirmed Friday that a fast-acting gut bug known as norovirus is responsible for an outbreak of illness that sickened more than 200 people gathered for a cheerleading championship in Washington state last weekend.

Results of state laboratory tests showed that that the nasty group of viruses caused the short-but-severe vomiting and diarrhea that affected some people who participated in and attended the state championship and Salute to Spirit cheerleading, dance and drill team event held in Everett, Wash. Norovirus is typically spread through person-to-person contact.

Subway

Most of the 100-plus people infected with norovirus last month had eaten at a local Subway franchise.

But an investigation by the Blackford County Health Department was unable to determine whether a customer or an employee spread the virus, also known as a stomach bug and food poisoning.

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Posted in Eurofins Laboratories, Food Hygiene, Food Illness, Food Poisoning, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Testing, Food Virus, Hygiene, Microbiology, Norovirus, Pathogen

Hepatitis A – US Cheesecake Factory

Posted on February 13, 2012 by | Leave a comment

Boise Weekly

While assuring the public that there is no evidence of an outbreak, the Central District Health Department is alerting the public that an employee of the Cheesecake Factory on North Milwuakee Road in Boise was infected with the hepatitis A virus, but is no longer infectious.

CDHD is alerting patrons who may have dined at the restaurant between Dec. 13, 2011, and Jan. 22, 2012, that they may have been exposed to hepatitis A. If a person has had a hepatitits A vaccine or have had the illness in the past, the CDHD said they are protected from the infection.

Symptoms usually occur abruptly and may include:
-fever
-loss of appetite
-abdominal discomfort
-jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes)
-tiredness
-nausea
-dark urine

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Posted in Eurofins Laboratories, Food Poisoning, Food Safety Alert, Food Testing, Food Virus, Hepatitis A, Hygiene, Microbiology, outbreak

Hepatitis A – Dallas Mexican Food Outlet

Posted on February 10, 2012 by | Leave a comment

WFAA

The Dallas County Health and Human Services Department is investigating a case of hepatitis A at a Dallas Mexican food restaurant.

The agency is working to alert medical care providers to be on the lookout for any customers who may have been infected. Dr. Chung said the risk that the infection has spread is very low.

“The vast majority who may contract hepatitis A will recover just fine without any serious problems,” Chung noted.

Hepatitis A is an infection that attacks the liver. Symptoms include fever, nausea, vomiting, and — in some cases — yellowing of the skin.

“It’s very important, in terms of preventing the spread of hepatitis A, to engage in extremely good hand-washing,” Chung said.

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Posted in Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Testing, Food Virus, Hepatitis A, Microbiology, Pathogen

Norovirus Rampant in the States

Posted on February 9, 2012 by | Leave a comment

Daily Mail

Another cruise ship has been ordered back to port after the second consecutive outbreak of stomach illness the norovirus hit Princess Cruises, resulting in more than 3,000 passengers having their dream vacations cut short.

The ship was ordered back to Port Everglades on Tuesday for special cleansing, ending its voyage two days early.

BBlog

Norovirus is making the rounds in Madison, Wisconsin, with five food-related outbreaks since last November.

Dane County health officials are still waiting for test results from the most recent outbreak. It took place Jan. 29 when at least 16 people had vomiting and diarrhea after eating sandwiches and other food at the Mandrake Road Church of Christ in Madison.

Also last month, 28 people got sick after eating at Erin’s Snug Irish Pub in Madison. The other outbreaks took place at a drama-filming session at Madison West High School, the Pyle Center at U W Madison, and a Madison art show.

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

Electron-Beam Irradiation – Virus – Produce Control

Posted on February 7, 2012 by | Leave a comment

Physorg.com

A recent study quantifying how electron-beam irradiation reduces the risk from foodborne viruses in lettuce and spinach was published in the February issue of Applied and Environmental Microbiology. Credit: National Center for Electron Beam Research, Texas A&M University.

The study quantified the theoretical health-risk reduction from virus-related foodborne illness through the use of electron-beam irradiation.

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Posted in Eurofins Laboratories, Food Illness, Food Poisoning, Food Safety, Food Technology, Food Virus, Microbiology

“Cruise Ship” Virus Strikes Again

Posted on February 6, 2012 by | 1 comment

THE first of two Princess Cruise Lines ships sailing with scores of passengers suffering from the fast-spreading norovirus have returned to Fort Lauderdale, US.

More than 150 passengers and crew members on board the Crown Princess were infected with the gastrointestinal illness during its seven-day cruise to the southern Caribbean, WFOR-TV reported.

After the ship’s arrival in Fort Lauderdale early Saturday, staff began the arduous task of cleaning the vessel from top to bottom in an attempt to rid it of the virus, which easily spreads through person-to-person contact.

Meanwhile, the Ruby Princess is due to arrive back in Fort Lauderdale on Sunday, with nearly 100 passengers and crew sick with the virus.

Ahead of the liners’ next departures, the cruise company sent out an “emergency notification” to passengers alerting them that their trips will be delayed due to the norovirus outbreak.

Courier Mail

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Posted in Eurofins Laboratories, Food Hygiene, Food Illness, Food Poisoning, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Testing, Food Virus, Microbiology, Norovirus, outbreak