Salmonella outbreaks caused by restaurant employees are not extremely common, but they do occur and can be significant when they happen. Several factors contribute to outbreaks linked to restaurant settings see more at the link above.
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Category Archives: Foodborne Illness
USA – Illinois LongHorn Steakhouse link in Shigella Outbreak
According to press reports, the St. Clair County Health Department is investigating the cause of a cluster of gastrointestinal illnesses among customers who dined at the LongHorn Steakhouse in Fairview Heights.
The restaurant has voluntarily closed Wednesday and Thursday. Officials determined that some of the illnesses were caused by shigellosis, an infectious disease caused by a group of bacteria called shigella. As of Wednesday afternoon, the department had received 14 reports from people testing positive for shigella. Twelve had dined at the LongHorn Steakhouse at 6115 N. Illinois St. between Sept. 21 and 22. Six cases have required hospitalization, according to the health department.
Research – Fatal Swiss Listeria outbreak linked to baker’s yeast
A major Listeria outbreak in Switzerland has sickened more than 30 since 2022 and seven people have died.
The first case was reported in April 2022, and the outbreak peak occurred in 2023. The last sick person became ill in June 2024.
An article in the Emerging Infectious Diseases journal revealed that the median age of all 34 patients was 79, ranging from less than 1 to 93 years old. Eighteen were female, and 16 were male. The distribution was wide, with patients across different cantons.
Seven Listeria outbreaks hit England in 2023
Data from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) shows Listeria infections rose slightly in 2023 and seven outbreaks were investigated.
In 2023, 177 listeriosis cases were reported in England and Wales compared to 167 in 2022. This is the highest level since 180 infections were noted in 2016.
For non-pregnancy-associated cases, death was reported for 32 people, of whom 11 had listeriosis recorded as a cause of death on the death certificate.
Understanding Listeria In the Aftermath of the Deadly Boar’s Head Outbreak
Listeria, caused by the bacterium Listeria monocytogenes, is a potentially life-threatening foodborne illness that poses significant risks, especially to certain populations. While healthy individuals may experience only mild symptoms, those with compromised immune systems, including pregnant women, newborns, the elderly, and people with chronic illnesses, are particularly vulnerable to severe complications. Understanding how listeria is contracted, the symptoms it causes, and the best prevention methods is crucial to protecting public health.
Malaysia – 101 pupils treated for food poisoning after having fried chicken, chocolate drinks – Salmonella
IPOH: A total of 101 pupils from SK Chepor here were treated for food poisoning after consuming fried chicken and chocolate drinks at the school canteen yesterday.
Perak Health Department director Dr Feisul Idzwan Mustapha said that they were alerted to the incident via the e-notification system at 8am yesterday, after five pupils exhibited symptoms of food poisoning, including diarrhea, vomiting, stomach pain, and fever.
“All the pupils received treatment at two healthcare facilities around Ipoh. This prompted the Infectious Disease Control Unit of the Kinta District Health Office to conduct verification and field investigations at the school on the same day at 10.30am.
“As a result of the active case detection investigation, a total of 96 additional cases were identified by 5pm yesterday, bringing the total number of cases to 101, involving 50 female pupils and 51 male pupils,” he said in a statement today.
Salmonella suspected.
USA – Another death reported in Listeria outbreak traced to Boar’s Head deli meats
A 10th death has been reported in an outbreak of Listeria infections traced to Boar’s Head deli meats. The outbreak has sickened 59 people in 19 states. All of the patients have required hospitalization.
The company recalled more than 7 million pounds of its products in July. Testing has shown that Boar’s Head deli meat was contaminated with the same strain of Listeria monocytogenes that has sickened people.
The company has closed its Jarratt, VA, production plant that manufactured the implicated products and has permanently discontinued production of liverwurst nationwide.
Taiwan reports 147,000 gastroenteritis cases after Mid-Autumn Festival
TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Gastroenteritis cases have continued after the Mid-Autumn Festival, and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) estimated the outbreak will peak in early October.
The CDC announced Tuesday (Sept. 24) that from Sept.15-21, there were approximately 147,000 medical visits for diarrhea, a 5.7% increase from the previous week, per CNA. A total of 123 cluster cases of diarrhea were reported, marking a five-year high for both medical visits and cluster reports.
CDC Epidemic Intelligence Center Director Guo Hung-wei (郭宏偉) said pathogen tests showed 47 positive cases, with norovirus detected in 28 cases, accounting for 60%, followed by Vibrio parahaemolyticus in 12 cases, making up 25.5%.
The gastroenteritis outbreak typically peaks around the Mid-Autumn Festival each year. CDC Deputy Director Lo Yi-chun (羅一鈞) said that the peak of this diarrhea outbreak is expected to occur around early October.
Research – Rare Salmonella type sickens people in Denmark and Austria
A rare type of Salmonella has sickened 20 people in Denmark and 17 in Austria.
Since July, the Statens Serum Institut (SSI) has recorded 20 cases of Salmonella Umbilo.
There are 14 men and six women sick. Patients range from under 1 to 85 years old, and the median age is 52.
UK – P&O cruises: More than 70 passengers on board Arcadia month-long cruise from Southampton port fall ill with sickness and diarrhoea
The outbreak has occurred on the 1,959-passenger Arcadia during its current sailing from the UK to the US and Canada. Some 65 passengers and 10 crew members have reported symptoms of a gastrointestinal illness including vomiting and diarrhoea, according to the US health agency, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Posted in Food Illness, Foodborne Illness, Illness, Sickness
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