Category Archives: foodborne outbreak

USA – FDA – Investigations of Foodborne Illness Outbreaks

FDA

The CORE Outbreak Investigation Table is a list of outbreak and adverse event investigations primarily being managed by FDA’s CORE Response Teams. The investigations are in a variety of stages, meaning that some outbreaks have limited information, and others may be near completion. The table will be updated weekly.

This week’s updates are:

  • A new outbreak of E. coli O157:H7 (ref #1269) linked to a not yet identified product has been added to the table. FDA has initiated traceback.
  • For the outbreak of E. coli O121:H19 (ref #1273) linked to a not yet identified product, the case count was adjusted from 33 to 37 cases.
  • For the outbreak of E. coli O157:H7 (ref #1270) linked to onions, FDA updated the outbreak advisory.
  • For the outbreak of Salmonella Thompson (ref #1262) linked to a not yet identified product, the outbreak has ended.
  • For the outbreak of E. coli O157:H7 (ref #1249) linked to a not yet identified product, the outbreak has ended.
  • For the outbreak of Listeria monocytogenes (ref #1247), FDA’s investigation has closed.
  • For the outbreak of Cyclospora cayetanensis (ref #1245), FDA’s investigation has closed. CDC, FDA, and state and local partners conducted epidemiologic and traceback investigations and identified shrimp salad, made with fresh produce ingredients, as the source of illnesses in this outbreak. FDA collected and analyzed product and ingredient samples as part of the investigation, but all samples were reported as negative for Cyclospora. Due to the lack of additional supporting evidence, investigators were unable to determine a specific ingredient as the source of contamination while the outbreak was considered ongoing. All product is past shelf life and is no longer on the market. There is no ongoing risk to public health.
  • For the outbreak of Cyclospora cayetanensis (ref #1237), FDA’s investigation has closed and the case count has adjusted to 49. CDC, FDA, and state and local partners conducted epidemiologic and traceback investigations and identified imported parsley as the source of illnesses in this outbreak. FDA initiated on-site inspections and collected and analyzed product and ingredient samples as part of the investigation, but all samples were reported as negative for Cyclospora. Due to the lack of additional supporting evidence, investigators were unable to determine a specific source of contamination while the outbreak was considered ongoing. All product is past shelf life and is no longer on the market. There is no ongoing risk to public health.
  • For the outbreak of Salmonella Typhimurium (ref #1234), FDA’s investigation has closed. CDC, FDA, and state and local partners conducted epidemiologic and traceback investigations and identified jalapeno pepper as the source of illnesses in this outbreak. FDA collected and analyzed product samples as part of the investigation, but all samples were reported as negative for Salmonella. Additionally, once investigators had enough information to confirm jalapenos as the source of this outbreak, the products were past their shelf life and no longer available for sale. This outbreak is over and there is no risk to consumers.

USA – Great Falls school children hit with Salmonella

Food Poison Journal

The Montana State lab is performing genomic sequencing of test samples and has notified CCHD that it expects results on Friday 11/15. These results would determine whether the Great Falls cases are linked to a multistate outbreak but will not confirm a specific food source.

At this time, ten cases have been confirmed. Nine of those confirmed cases are within four GFPS elementary schools. Three additional test results are pending, one of which is associated with another secondary school.

Because foodborne illnesses are commonly linked to fresh fruits and vegetables, GFPS is temporarily removing those items from all school menus as a cautionary measure, and alternative canned and dried fruit options will be made available. A GFPS notification has been sent to student families.

USA- FDA- Update – Outbreak Investigation of E. coli O157:H7: Onions (October 2024)

FDA

November 13, 2024

FDA, CDC, and state partners continue investigating a multistate outbreak of E. coli O157:H7 linked to slivered onions served on Quarter Pounder burgers at McDonald’s restaurants in certain states. As of November 13, 2024, 104 people infected with the outbreak strain of E. coli O157:H7 have been reported from 14 states. Of 98 people with information available, 34 have been hospitalized, and 4 people developed HUS, a serious condition that can cause kidney failure. One death has been reported from an older adult in Colorado. This person is not one of those who developed HUS. Of the 81 people interviewed, 80 (99%) report eating at McDonald’s. Seventy-five people were able to remember specific menu items they ate at McDonald’s. 63 of 75 people (84%) reported a menu item containing fresh slivered onions.

FDA, Colorado Department of Agriculture (CDA), and Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) have collected onion and environmental samples from McDonald’s stores, distribution centers, and firms of interest for laboratory analysis. At this time, one FDA sample of recalled onions has tested positive for E. coli, but it is a non-O157:H7 Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) and does not match the outbreak strain or any other clinical illnesses. Whole genome sequencing (WGS) analysis determined that the sample is positive for E. coli O168:H8 and contains the Shiga toxin gene stx2a. Additional sample results are pending. More information will be provided in this update as it becomes available.

FDA has completed onsite inspections at a Taylor Farms processing center in Colorado and an onion grower of interest in Washington state.

McDonald’s stopped using slivered onions on Quarter Pounder burgers in affected states, and Taylor Farms recalled yellow onions on October 22, 2024. Food service customers were notified by Taylor Farms that they should not sell or serve recalled yellow onions. FDA continues working with Taylor Farms and their direct customers to determine if additional downstream customer recalls are necessary. Food service customers should not be further distributing recalled onions. According to available information, recalled onions should not be available for purchase in grocery stores. McDonald’s has reintroduced slivered onions from a different onion supplier into their full menu. At this time, there does not appear to be a continued food safety concern related to this outbreak at McDonald’s restaurants.

Prolonged multi-country outbreak of Salmonella Strathcona ST2559 linked to consumption of tomatoes in the EU/EEA and the UK

EFSA

Abstract

A cross-border outbreak of Salmonella Strathcona ST2559 is ongoing in the European Union/European Economic Area (EU/EEA) and the United Kingdom (UK). From 1 January 2023 to 5 November 2024, 232 confirmed cases of S. Strathcona ST2559 have been identified in 16 EU/EEA countries according to the European case definition: Austria (33), Croatia (3), Czechia (10), Denmark (9), Estonia (1), Germany (62), Finland (3), France (23), Ireland (1), Italy (67), Luxembourg (2), the Netherlands (2), Norway (3), Slovakia (5), Slovenia (2) and Sweden (6). Twenty-nine cases were also identified in the UK. Among the travel-associated cases, the most frequently visited country was Italy.

Tomatoes were identified as the vehicle of infection in several national epidemiological investigations undertaken in response to this multi-country outbreak. Whole genome sequencing cluster analyses suggest that the outbreak strain from multiple affected countries has a recent common origin.

The epidemiological, microbiological and traceability investigations in the 2023 Austrian outbreak and 2024 Italian outbreak confirmed that small tomatoes from the Sicily region of Italy were the vehicle of infection in these two outbreaks. The same conclusion was confirmed for a historical S. Strathcona ST2559 outbreak in Denmark in 2011.

Human and food sectors should continue to conduct investigations to verify whether small tomatoes from Sicily are the vehicle of infection in all EU countries that have reported or continue to report cases in this multi-country outbreak, as other foods could also be involved in the transmission. The environment’s role in the contamination of the tomatoes should also be investigated, as the outbreak strain was also identified in a farm animal in the region. Investigations to identify the point of entry of S. Strathcona – including of irrigation water – should be conducted so the appropriate corrective measures are taken to stop the contamination from spreading and prevent possible new cases.

Research – Preventing E. coli Contamination of Leafy Greens: Advanced Sanitation Practices and Exposure Reduction

Food Safety.com

The recurring contamination of leafy greens with pathogenic Escherichia coli bacteria is a critical public health issue that has impacted consumers and the food industry alike. The high susceptibility of leafy greens to E. coli contamination is exacerbated by various factors, from field exposure to processing practices. This article delves into the technical aspects of E. coli contamination in leafy greens processing facilities, including environmental control measures, sanitation practices, and strategies to mitigate bacterial load.

Research – Germany sees outbreaks decline, but cases increase

Food Safety News

Germany has reported a decline in outbreaks for 2023, but more people were sick than in the previous year.

In 2023, the Federal Office of Consumer Protection and Food Safety (BVL) and the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) received 190 reports of foodborne outbreaks that caused 2,248 illnesses, 283 hospitalizations, and 13 deaths.

In 2022, 211 outbreaks were recorded. At least 1,488 illnesses, 268 hospitalizations, and eight deaths were linked to them.

Sweden – Salmonella Typhimurium ST 36 (Sweden, August 2024–)

Folkhalsomyndigheten

An increase in cases of Salmonella typhimurium sequence type 36 is being investigated.

From August to October, 81 cases from 18 regions have contracted Salmonella typhimurium of sequence type 36 (ST 36). The cases, which have all been infected in Sweden unless information about the country of infection is missing, are infected with one of about ten different genetically related bacterial variants that have caused cases of illness from August to October (figure).

During September 2024, an outbreak investigation of cases infected with a specific variant of Salmonella Typhimurium of the ST 36 type was initiated.

Canada – Possible Salmonella Typhi Exposure at Domino’s in Saskatchewan

Food Poisoning Bulletin

There has been a possible Salmonella typhi exposure at a Domino’s Pizza location in Martensville in Saskatchewan, Canada, according to the Saskatchewan Health Authority. That Domino’s restaurant is located at 717 Centennial Drive South in that city. Anyone who ate products from that restaurant from October 11, 2024 to October 19, 2024 may have been exposed to the pathogen. The press release did not state whether or not any illnesses have been reported as a result of this exposure.

Research – How a Lack of Legionella Training Contributed to Devastating Legionnaires’ Outbreak

Legionella Control

In this article we examine the impact of inadequate Legionella training and a lack of available resources on an organisations ability to control Legionella risks effectively, meet its water safety compliance obligations, and ultimately keep people safe. The article highlights how a detailed understanding of such failings can be used to modify behaviours to prevent future outbreaks of Legionnaires’ disease.

USA – FDA – Investigations of Foodborne Illness Outbreaks

FDA

What’s New

  • A new outbreak E. coli O121:H19 (ref #1273) linked to a not yet identified product has been added to the table. FDA has initiated traceback.
  • For the outbreak of E. coli O26:H11 (ref #1272) linked to a not yet identified product, FDA has initiated traceback, an onsite inspection and sample collection.
  • For the outbreak of Salmonella Thompson (ref #1262) linked to a not yet identified product, the case count was adjusted from 27 to 25 cases.
  • For the outbreak of Listeria monocytogenes (ref #1247) linked to a not yet identified product, the outbreak has ended.
  • For the outbreak of Cyclospora cayetanensis (ref #1237) linked to a not yet identified product, the case count was adjusted from 46 to 47 cases.