Category Archives: foodborne outbreak

Finland – Large outbreak linked to school meals in Finland; hundreds sickened

Posted on August 23, 2023 by | Leave a comment

Food Safety News

More than 600 people have fallen ill in a suspected food poisoning outbreak at several schools in a Finnish city.

This past week, officials from the city of Mikkeli sent a questionnaire to parents of students and staff about symptoms that occurred during or after school meals on Aug. 16. As of Monday morning, answers had been received from nearly 3,800 parents and 350 employees.

All schools in Mikkeli have had at least a few patients. The incident is being investigated with the Finnish Food Authority (Ruokavirasto) and National Institute of Health and Welfare (THL).

Samples taken from different foods and raw materials are being examined to find out the cause of the epidemic. Results of laboratory tests are expected later this week.

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Posted in Decontamination Microbial, food bourne outbreak, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Research, Food Microbiology Testing, foodborne outbreak, foodbourne outbreak, microbial contamination, Microbial growth, Microbiological Risk Assessment, Microbiology, Microbiology Investigations, Microbiology Risk, outbreak

UK – Urgent health warning as Brits returning from holiday with grim parasite amid outbreak – Cyclopsora

Posted on August 23, 2023 by | Leave a comment

 

 

The Mirror

Cyclospora_LifeCycle201

Holidaymakers returning to the UK from Mexican all-inclusive resorts have been hit by a severe gastro-parasite infection, as the government warns of a large outbreak.

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) is investigating the cluster of Cyclospora infections in the United Kingdom among people who visited Mexico between May and August. Between May 12 and August 14, 74 cases of Cyclospora cayetanensis — a nasty gastric illness caused by a parasite only endemic in certain countries — were reported in England, Wales, and Scotland.

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Posted in Cyclospora, Cyclosporiasis, 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, Microbial growth, Microbiological Risk Assessment, Microbiology, Microbiology Investigations, Microbiology Risk, outbreak

UK -FSA assesses the use of Listeria guidance after the outbreak

Posted on August 21, 2023 by | Leave a comment

Food Safety News

Most hospitals and social care sites are aware of Listeria guidance from the Food Standards Agency (FSA) but an analysis has found several challenges around implementation.

In a 2019 outbreak associated with pre-packed sandwiches supplied to hospitals in England, seven patients died of listeriosis.

Following this incident, the FSA said it would review its 2016 listeriosis guidance. The research was commissioned to look at awareness, implementation, and perceived effectiveness of the guidance, including barriers to implementing it in full.

The recent report covers findings from 39 respondents within National Health Service (NHS) Trusts and 445 from Health and Social Care (non-NHS Trust) settings, such as nursing homes, home care service providers and hospices, in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland.

An online survey was sent to all NHS Trusts in the three nations between November and December 2021. In the majority of cases, the survey was completed by the catering manager, who was responsible for food safety. IFF Research carried out the survey of non-NHS settings by telephone. Fieldwork took place in August and September 2022. IFF Research interviewed the person with overall responsibility for food safety — this was often the general manager.

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Posted in Death, food death, Foodborne Illness Death, foodborne outbreak, foodbourne outbreak, Listeria, Listeria monocytogenes, outbreak

Spain sees E. coli and Listeria infections rise in 2022

Posted on August 21, 2023 by | Leave a comment

Food Safety News

Spain recorded an increase in E. coli and Listeria infections in 2022, according to recently released figures.

In 2022, 633 Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) infections were reported, as well as eight imported cases. This includes 620 confirmed and 13 probable cases. The number rose from 426 cases in 2021.

The highest incidences in 2022 were observed in children younger than 5 years of age, being higher in girls than in boys, according to data from the National Epidemiological Surveillance Network (RENAVE).

A total of 134 hospitalizations were reported and six people developed hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). HUS is a severe complication associated with E. coli infections that causes kidney failure. Four of these were younger than the age of 3, one was 10 years old, and the other was an 84-year-old adult.

Three deaths were recorded: one child younger than 3 years old who had HUS, and two adults aged 65 and 93.

For imported cases, two were younger than 10 years of age, and the rest were aged between 22 and 60.

Information on serogroup causing infection was available in 80 cases of which 67 corresponded to O157. One was O107, another was O128 and 11 were recorded as non-O157.

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Posted in Death, E.coli O128, E.coli O157, E.coli O157:H7, food death, Food Illness, Foodborne Illness, Foodborne Illness Death, foodborne outbreak, foodbourne outbreak, Illness, Listeria, Listeria monocytogenes, O107, outbreak, STEC, STEC E.coli

USA – Tacoma restaurant’s milkshakes linked to listeria outbreak that killed 3

Posted on August 21, 2023 by | Leave a comment

Komo News

OLYMPIA, Wash. — Listeria bacteria found in the milkshakes at a Tacoma restaurant have been linked by health officials to an outbreak that hospitalized six people and killed three.

According to the Washington State Department of Health (DOH), investigators found foodborne listeriosis in the ice cream machines at Frugals, located at 10727 Pacific Avenue South. The machines were not cleaned correctly, and no other Frugals restaurant are believed to be affected, the DOH said.

The Tacoma Frugals stopped using its ice cream machines on Aug. 8, but listeria can affect people up to 70 days later, the DOH said.

Genetic fingerprinting of bacteria in the shakes showed the same strain of listeria that hospitalized six people — five from Pierce County and one from Thurston County — between Feb. 27 and July 22, according to the DOH. All six had conditions that made their immune systems “less able to fight the disease,” the DOH said. Three of the six died, the DOH added, and two people who were hospitalized but survived said they ate the milkshakes before getting sick.

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Posted in Death, food death, Food Illness, Foodborne Illness, Foodborne Illness Death, foodborne outbreak, foodbourne outbreak, Illness, Listeria, Listeria Ice Cream, Listeria monocytogenes, outbreak

USA – Kansas: Trade Winds Bar & Grill Under Investigation for Campylobacter Outbreak

Posted on August 21, 2023 by | Leave a comment

 

 

Outbreak News Today

The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) is investigating an outbreak of Campylobacteriosis linked to the Trade Winds Bar & Grill in Garnett, Kansas. Symptoms of Campylobacteriosis include diarrhea, bloody diarrhea, abdominal pain, nausea, or vomiting. 

To help KDHE in their investigation, KDHE asks anyone who visited Trade Wind Bar & Grill between July 14 and August 9 and then experienced these Campylobacter symptoms to complete a confidential survey.

The Trade Wind Bar & Grill closed on August 9th and remained closed until August 15th. 

People with Campylobacter infection usually have diarrhea (often bloody), fever, and stomach cramps. Nausea and vomiting may accompany the diarrhea. These symptoms usually start two to five days after the person ingests Campylobacter and last about one week. In some cases, individuals can develop more serious complications.

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Posted in Campylobacter, 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, Microbial growth, Microbiological Risk Assessment, Microbiology, Microbiology Investigations, Microbiology Risk, outbreak

USA – Norovirus outbreak that sickened more than 300 people linked to an ill food handler at restaurant

Posted on August 21, 2023 by | Leave a comment

ABC News

The source behind a norovirus outbreak that sickened a few hundred people last year has been identified, according to a report published Thursday by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The report looked at the outbreak in Tazewell County, Illinois, which includes part of Peoria, which saw 317 people fall ill, all of whom dined at a restaurant — referred to as restaurant A — between Nov. 19, and Nov. 26, 2022.

Investigators with the Tazewell Health Department and Illinois Department of Public Health concluded the outbreak was likely caused by a sick food handler at the restaurant who had ungloved contact with salad, toppings and dressings during food preparation.

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Posted in food bourne outbreak, food handler, Food Illness, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Research, Food Microbiology Testing, Foodborne Illness, foodborne outbreak, foodbourne outbreak, Hand Washing, Illness, microbial contamination, Microbiological Risk Assessment, Microbiology, Microbiology Investigations, Microbiology Risk, Norovirus, outbreak

USA – FDA – Core Investigation Table

Posted on August 10, 2023 by | Leave a comment

FDA

What’s New

  • A new outbreak of Listeria monocytogenes (ref #1172) in a not yet identified product has been added to the table. There are two cases in this outbreak. FDA has initiated traceback.
  • For the outbreak of Cyclospora cayetanensis (ref #1171), the case count has increased from 47 to 55 cases.
  • For the outbreak of E. coli O157:H7 (ref #1166), the outbreak has ended and FDA’s investigation has closed.
  • For the outbreak of Salmonella Paratyphi B var. L(+) tartrate+ (ref #1157), the case count has increased from 36 to 37 cases.

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Posted in Cyclospora, Cyclosporiasis, E.coli O157, E.coli O157:H7, FDA, food bourne outbreak, Food Illness, Foodborne Illness, foodborne outbreak, foodbourne outbreak, Illness, Listeria, Listeria monocytogenes, outbreak, Salmonella

Taiwan – Victims of banh mi food poisoning in northern Taiwan reach 520

Posted on August 10, 2023 by | Leave a comment

Taiwan News

As of 10 p.m. on Tuesday (Aug. 8), the incident had sickened 520 people, with 41 hospitalized. The Food and Drug Administration will mount an inspection campaign targeting stalls and eateries selling exotic cuisines.

Among those feeling unwell after consuming food from the stall, 354 sought medical help and 32 were hospitalized, as of Monday (Aug. 7). Symptoms reported include diarrhea, stomach pain and cramps, fever, nausea, vomiting, and fatigue.

A task force has been formed to deal with the case, said the Department of Public Health of the northern city in Taiwan.

A preliminary investigation found seven out of 21 samples from the stall tested positive for Salmonella bacteria. More examinations are being conducted to identify the source of infection.

Inspectors said the eggs used to make mayonnaise had not been fully cleaned and the mayo products prepared in advance were not properly refrigerated when delivered to the stall. Salmonella infections have been a major cause of food poisoning events in Taiwan over recent years, according to the health agency.

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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 Quality, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Safety Management, Food Safety Regulations, Food Testing, Foodborne Illness, foodborne outbreak, foodbourne outbreak, Illness, outbreak, Salmonella, Salmonella in Eggs

One dead and six in hospital after mystery E.coli outbreak in UK

Posted on August 8, 2023 by | Leave a comment

GB News

An E.Coli outbreak in the UK has killed one and hospitalised six others, with health officials left puzzled at the source.

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) is reportedly working with the Food Standards Agency (FSA) to determine what started the outbreak, which is believed to have begun in May.

24 cases of the illness have been reported since May, including 19 in England and 4 in Northern Ireland, according to Food Safety News.

“The outbreak’s source has not yet been identified, but we are working with partners, including the Food Standards Agency, to investigate,” she added.

The strain circulating currently, is the O183, a very rare strain of E.Coli, with only 15 reported cases in the UK since 2016.

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Posted in E.coli O183, food bourne outbreak, Food Illness, Foodborne Illness, Foodborne Illness Death, foodborne outbreak, foodbourne outbreak, fsa, HUS, Illness, outbreak, STEC, STEC E.coli, UKHSA