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Category Archives: foodborne outbreak
South Africa – Suspected food poisoning at local funeral: At least 29 in hospital, two dead.
Posted in food bourne outbreak, food contamination, food handler, Food Hazard, Food Hygiene, Food Inspections, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Testing, Food Poisoning, Food Poisoning Death, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, foodborne outbreak, foodbourne outbreak, outbreak, Poisoning
USA – Core Outbreak Table Update
| Date | Ref | Pathogen | Product(s) | Total | Investigation Status |
| 11/24/2021 | 1044 | Salmonella Javiana | Not Yet Identified | 19 | Active |
| 11/17/2021 | 1043 | E. coli O157:H7 | Spinach | See Outbreak Advisory | Active |
| 9/15/2021 | 1031 | Salmonella Oranienburg | Red, Yellow, and White Onions | See Outbreak Advisory | Active |
| 9/15/2021 | 1025 | Salmonella Thompson | Seafood | See Outbreak Advisory | Active |
Posted in E.coli O157, E.coli O157:H7, food bourne outbreak, Food Illness, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Research, Food Microbiology Testing, Foodborne Illness, foodborne outbreak, foodbourne outbreak, Illness, microbial contamination, Microbiological Risk Assessment, Microbiology, Microbiology Investigations, outbreak, Salmonella, Salmonella in Onions, Uncategorized
India – Norovirus: Dakshina Kannada, Kodagu on high alert
In the wake of Norovirus cases being reported in 13 students of a veterinary college in Wayanad district of neighbouring Kerala, Karnataka has directed health officials in the border Dakshina Kannada and Kodagu districts to be on high alert.
In a circular issued on Tuesday, the State Joint Director (Communicable Diseases) has said people need to be vigilant about the contagious virus.
The Norovirus is a group of viruses that cause gastrointestinal illness. The virus causes inflammation of the lining of the stomach and intestines, as well as severe vomiting and diarrhoea, similar to cholera, the circular stated.
Posted in Contaminated water, food bourne outbreak, food contamination, food death, Food Hazard, Food Hygiene, Food Illness, Food Inspections, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Testing, Food Pathogen, food recall, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Testing, foodborne outbreak, foodbourne outbreak, Norovirus, outbreak, Water, water microbiology, Water Safety
USA – 4,000 exposed to Hepatitis A positive Starbucks employee in New Jersey
In light of the case of hepatitis A in an employee at a local Starbucks, the Camden County Health Department will be administering vaccines to anyone who feels they may have been exposed at the Camden County Health Hub located at 200 College Drive in Blackwood.
Today’s clinic will operate from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Vaccine appointments will be made on a first come first serve basis.
Vaccine clinics held last Friday and Saturday gave doses to more than 800 people in Camden County.
If you have been vaccinated for hepatitis A in the past, you do not need to receive another dose. If you have a child that was born after the year 2000, that child has likely already been vaccinated for hepatitis A and does not require another dose. However, parents should check with their pediatrician to confirm their child’s vaccine status.
Posted in food bourne outbreak, food contamination, food death, food handler, Food Hazard, Food Hygiene, Food Illness, Food Inspections, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Testing, Food Pathogen, food recall, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Testing, Foodborne Illness, foodborne outbreak, foodbourne outbreak, Hepatitis A, Illness, outbreak
Wales – Salmonella outbreak affected 20 in Wales
An outbreak of Salmonella linked to a traditional meal containing meat affected more than 20 people earlier this year in Wales.
Public Health Wales was notified about two cases of salmonellosis in late July, according to a presentation at the ESCAIDE conference, organized by the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC).
Both belonged to the Sudanese community who bought lamb to barbecue in a park in Cardiff in July to celebrate the Muslim festival Eid-al-Adha.
Further investigations found of 33 people who attended the barbecue, 22 were identified as patients. Seven were confirmed as infected from Salmonella Typhimurium.
Nine people reported attending A&E, four were admitted to hospital overnight and one patient to intensive care. The outbreak also drew attention to a wider ongoing cluster across the UK, which is still under investigation.
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USA – Backyard Chickens hospitalize 273 and kill 2 with Salmonella – 1,135 sick in 2021 including 268 under the age of 5
CDC: This year’s investigation of outbreaks linked to backyard poultry is over. However, any backyard poultry can carry Salmonella germs that can make you sick. Always take steps to stay healthy around your flock.
CDC and public health officials in several states investigated multistate outbreaks of Salmonella infections with serotypes of Enteritidis, Hadar, Indiana, Infantis, Mbandaka, and Muenchen.
Epidemiologic and laboratory data showed that contact with backyard poultry made people sick.
A total of 1,135 people infected with one of the outbreak strains were reported from 48 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico. The true number of sick people in these outbreaks was likely much higher than the number reported, and these outbreaks may not have been limited to the states with known illnesses. This is because many people recover without medical care and are not tested for Salmonella.
Posted in food bourne outbreak, Food Illness, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Research, Foodborne Illness, foodborne outbreak, foodbourne outbreak, Illness, microbial contamination, Microbiological Risk Assessment, Microbiology, Microbiology Investigations, outbreak, Research, Salmonella, Salmonella in Chicken
India – Five instances of food poisoning in Kozhikode in less than a month
Health Department issues advisory on checking quality of drinking water sources. (Cholera)
At least five incidents of suspected food poisoning have occurred in Kozhikode district in less than a month, prompting the Health Department to issue an advisory on checking the quality of drinking water sources.
Fifteen girl students of a private entrance coaching centre at Perumanna were admitted to hospital after they had stomach upset and other symptoms on October 25.
Two-and-a-half-year-old Mohammed Yamin of Narikkuni died on November 13, just a couple of days after he had food at a wedding event. A dozen children and some elders too fell ill.
Hundreds sought medical treatment at Puthoor in Vadakara on November 15 after they had food at another wedding event in the previous days. Those who had idli and sambar from two temples at Mukkom complained of uneasiness, and 22 people sought treatment on November 19.
Fourteen students of a hostel at Pantheerankavu sought treatment at the Government Medical College Hospital, Kozhikode, after they had breakfast on November 20.
Another instance of food poisoning was averted in the nick of time when an alert food safety inspector detected pseudomonas bacteria in eggs scheduled to be distributed at a school at Payyadimeethal near Pantheerankavu on November 10.
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USA- Norovirus Among Likely Causes of Recent Reported Illnesses
Norovirus is likely among the reasons behind increased reports of recent illnesses in Wyoming, according to the Wyoming Department of Health (WDH).
People who are sick with norovirus may experience nausea, vomiting, watery diarrhea, stomach cramps, fatigue and dehydration. Other viruses and illnesses caused by bacteria contamination such as from E. coli can cause similar symptoms, but norovirus is the most common culprit.
Commonly described as “stomach flu” or “food poisoning,” norovirus is spread when people eat or drink contaminated food and beverages, touch contaminated surfaces or through close contact with someone already sick.
Matt Peterson, WDH surveillance epidemiologist, said contamination is almost always not obvious. “We’re often talking about extremely tiny amounts of poop or vomit. We can’t see it but it can make us very sick,” he said
“When people get ill this way, they most often blame the last thing they ate, but norovirus and bacterial illness can spread through many routes other than just eating food,” Peterson said.
Illness can hit quickly between 12 to 48 hours after a person has been exposed. Symptoms usually last from one to three days and go away without causing long-term problems.
“Norovirus and other illnesses with similar symptoms can be serious when people become dehydrated,” Peterson said. He noted those who become severely ill may need to call or visit a medical professional. Infants, young children, immune-compromised persons, and persons unable to care for themselves, such as the disabled or elderly, are at higher risk for dehydration and may need hospitalization.
“We are specifically seeing increased reports of E.coli across the state recently compared to previous years, which can be particularly concerning in children under 5,” Peterson said. Parents with children who are suffering from stomach-related symptoms that do not improve after 72 hours, or if their child has bloody diarrhea, should seek medical care for the child because these could be signs of bacterial infection.
“Norovirus illnesses can be prevented,” Peterson said. “It sounds too simple, but, truly, good hand washing is critical. People can still be contagious and spread the virus for a few days after they no longer have symptoms.”
Recommended steps to help prevent illness include:
- Frequently wash hands, especially after using the restroom or changing diapers, and before eating or preparing food.
- If ill, stay home from work and school, especially if employed in food-handling, healthcare or child care.
- Thoroughly clean and disinfect contaminated surfaces immediately after an episode of vomiting or diarrhea with a solution of 1 cup household bleach per 1 gallon of water and letting the solution sit for one minute. Always follow manufacturers’ safety precautions.
- Immediately remove and wash contaminated clothing or linens after an episode of illness (use hot water and soap).
- Flush or discard any vomit and/or poop in the toilet and keep the surrounding area clean.
- Ill persons should take extra care to avoid spreading the virus by minimizing contact with other persons while ill and practicing good hygiene.
Posted in food bourne outbreak, food contamination, food handler, Food Hazard, Food Hygiene, Food Illness, Food Inspections, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Pathogen, food recall, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Virus, Foodborne Illness, foodborne outbreak, foodbourne outbreak, Illness, Norovirus, outbreak
Spain – Legionellosis outbreak reported in Montmeló and Montornès del Vallès
Health officials in Spain are reporting a legionellosis outbreak in the municipalities of Montmeló and Montornès del Vallès in the Vallès Oriental region.
To date, 26 cases have been detected. The cases have started symptoms between November 5 and 15. And, of the 26 cases, 10 did not require hospital admission, 2 cases required admission but have already been discharged and 14 cases are still hospitalized.
Those affected are 19 men and 7 women between 37 and 92 years old. And all the cases have had exposure in the municipalities of Montmeló or Montornès del Vallès.
Posted in Contaminated water, food bourne outbreak, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Testing, foodborne outbreak, foodbourne outbreak, Legionella, Legionnaires’ disease, microbial contamination, Microbiological Risk Assessment, Microbiology, Microbiology Investigations, outbreak, Water, water microbiology, Water Safety
USA – Salmonella Onion Outbreak continues to expand after 900 sickened
Potandon Produce L.L.C. of Idaho Falls, Idaho is updating its October 26 voluntary recall of onions supplied from Keeler Family Farms and sold as Green Giant Fresh to include 3lb. and 5lb. bags of whole yellow onions and 2 lb. bags of whole white onions shipped between July 15 and August 22, 2021 to a UNFI retail distribution center in Champaign, Illinois. This recall does not affect any other Green Giant Fresh products or include any Green Giant canned or frozen vegetable products.
The recalled onions are being recalled because they have the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella.
Posted in food bourne outbreak, food contamination, food handler, Food Hazard, Food Hygiene, Food Illness, Food Inspections, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Testing, Food Pathogen, food recall, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Testing, Foodborne Illness, foodborne outbreak, foodbourne outbreak, Illness, outbreak, Salmonella, Salmonella in Onions
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