Category Archives: foodbourne outbreak

Mexico – At least 30 people suffered from severe food poisoning in Seyé, Yucatan

Posted on June 15, 2022 by | Leave a comment

The Yucatan Times

On Sunday, June 12th, around two in the afternoon many people began to go to a private clinic located near the outskirts of the municipality of Seyé, presenting the same symptoms.

Nausea, high or low blood pressure, vomiting, and diarrhea were just some of the symptoms suffered by men, women, and children, due to the food poisoning cases that forced the municipal authorities to report the events to the Ministry of Health.

The Secretary of Public Security (SSP) transferred some people to other places for their attention, and staff from the Ministry of Health arrived in Seyé to carry out the corresponding investigations.

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Posted in food bourne outbreak, Food Illness, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Testing, Food Poisoning, Foodborne Illness, foodborne outbreak, foodbourne outbreak, Illness, microbial contamination, Microbiological Risk Assessment, Microbiology, Microbiology Investigations, outbreak, Poisoning

UK – Three dead in UK fish Listeria outbreak

Posted on June 15, 2022 by | Leave a comment

Food Safety News

Three people have died in an ongoing Listeria outbreak linked to fish in the United Kingdom.

The UK Health Security Agency, Food Standards Agency (FSA), Public Health Scotland and Food Standards Scotland (FSS) are investigating the Listeria monocytogenes outbreak that was first made public in April.

Twelve patients across the UK have been identified, including three in Scotland, with onset dates of illness between October 2020 to March 2022.

Ten sick people are over the age of 65, and one is a pregnant woman. Three of those affected who are older than 65 have died.

Six people have fallen ill since January 2022. The majority of patients reported eating smoked fish.

The FSA and FSS are doing food chain and microbiological investigations including whole genome sequencing (WGS) but the cause is yet to be confirmed.

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Posted in food bourne outbreak, food death, Food Illness, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Research, Food Microbiology Testing, Foodborne Illness, Foodborne Illness Death, foodborne outbreak, foodbourne outbreak, Illness, Listeria, Listeria monocytogenes, microbial contamination, Microbiological Risk Assessment, Microbiology, Microbiology Investigations, outbreak, Research, UKHSA

Research – Investigators raid Ferrero as part of Salmonella outbreak probe

Posted on June 13, 2022 by | Leave a comment

Food Safety News

Authorities have searched a number of Ferrero sites as investigations continue into a large Salmonella outbreak.

Six facilities in Belgium and Luxembourg were targeted this week including the factory in Arlon which is believed to be where contaminated occurred. The Belgian food safety agency stopped production at the plant in early April but it could reopen this month.

The monophasic Salmonella Typhimurium outbreak linked to Kinder chocolate has sickened almost 450 people including 122 in the United Kingdom, 118 in France as well as four in Canada and one in the United States.

Ferrero said it was cooperating with authorities as part of the investigation.

Documents and computer hardware were seized during the operation but no arrests were made, according to the Luxembourg Public Prosecutor’s Office.

The two outbreak strains of monophasic Salmonella Typhimurium were identified in 10 of 81 samples taken in Ferrero’s Arlon plant in Belgium between December 2021 and January 2022.

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Posted in Chocolate, food bourne outbreak, Food Illness, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Testing, Foodborne Illness, foodborne outbreak, foodbourne outbreak, Illness, microbial contamination, Microbiological Risk Assessment, Microbiology, Microbiology Investigations, outbreak, Salmonella in Chocolate

USA – Multistate Outbreak of Hepatitis A Virus Infections Linked to Fresh Organic Strawberries

Posted on June 13, 2022 by | Leave a comment

CDC

At a Glance
  • Reported cases: 18
  • States: 3
  • Hospitalizations: 13
  • Deaths: 0

CDC recommends that people who purchased fresh organic strawberries branded as FreshKampo or HEB during March 5, 2022, through April 15, 2022, and then froze those strawberries for later consumption take the following actions:

  • Check your freezer for these fresh organic strawberries. If you froze them to eat later, do not eat them.
  • Throw away any remaining fresh organic strawberries that you froze for later consumption. If you are unsure of what brand you purchased, when you purchased your fresh organic strawberries, or where you purchased them prior to freezing them, you should throw the strawberries away.
  • If you have eaten these organic strawberries, purchased fresh and later frozen, within the last 14 days and are not vaccinated against hepatitis A, contact your local health department or health care provider to discuss getting postexposure prophylaxis (hepatitis A vaccine or immune globulin). Getting postexposure prophylaxis within 14 days of exposure can help prevent illness.
Outbreak Information
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  • As of June 7, 2022, there are:
    • 18 outbreak-associated cases of hepatitis A reported from 3 states (California, Minnesota, and North Dakota).
    • Illnesses started on dates ranging from March 28, 2022, to May 6, 2022.
    • 13 people have been hospitalized. No deaths have been reported.
  • Epidemiologic and traceback evidence indicate that fresh organic strawberries are the likely source of this outbreak.
    • In interviews, 11/14 (79%) reported eating fresh organic strawberries.
What is Hepatitis A?

Hepatitis A is a contagious liver infection caused by the hepatitis A virus. The hepatitis A virus is found in the stool and blood of people who are infected. The hepatitis A virus is spread when someone ingests the virus, usually through close personal contact with an infected person or from eating contaminated food or drink. Hepatitis A can be prevented with a vaccine, which is recommended for all children at age one and adults at risk.

Symptoms of Hepatitis A

Human figure with ache
  • Symptoms of hepatitis A usually appear 2 to 7 weeks after exposure and can include
    • Yellow skin or eyes
    • Not wanting to eat
    • Upset stomach
    • Stomach pain
    • Throwing up
    • Fever
    • Dark urine or light-colored stools
    • Joint pain
    • Diarrhea
    • Feeling tired
  • Not everyone with hepatitis A has symptoms. Adults are more likely to have symptoms than children.
  • People who get hepatitis A may feel sick for a few weeks to several months but usually recover completely and do not have lasting liver damage. In some people, though, the illness may be so severe that the patient needs to be hospitalized.
  • In rare cases, hepatitis A can cause liver failure and even death. This is more common in older people and in people with other serious health issues, such as chronic liver disease.

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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 recall, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Testing, Food Virus, Foodborne Illness, foodborne outbreak, foodbourne outbreak, Hepatitis A, Illness, outbreak, Virus

USA- CDC Media Alert: Backyard poultry contact linked to more than 200 Salmonella illnesses in 2022

Posted on June 13, 2022 by | Leave a comment

CDC

Salmonella Campylobacter

A CDC investigation notice regarding multistate outbreaks of Salmonella infections has been posted: https://www.cdc.gov/salmonella/backyardpoultry-06-22/index.html

Key points:

  • CDC and public health officials in several states are investigating multistate outbreaks of Salmonella infections linked to contact with backyard poultry.
  • In total, 219 illnesses have been reported from 38 states, and 27 people have been hospitalized.
  • One in four sick people are children younger than 5 years.
  • One death has been reported from Tennessee.
  • The true number of sick people is likely much higher than the reported number, as many people recover without medical care and are not tested for Salmonella.
  • Backyard poultry can carry Salmonella germs even if they look healthy and clean. These germs can easily spread in areas where the poultry live and roam.
  • These outbreaks occur annually and coincide with the increase in baby poultry purchases, beginning in the spring. Last year in 2021, a total of 1,135 people got sick from contact with backyard poultry.
  • These Salmonella outbreaks are not related to recent cases of H5N1 bird flu viruses detected in U.S. wild birds and poultry. However, backyard poultry owners should be aware that the steps needed to stay healthy around their flocks are similar for both diseases.

Take steps to enjoy your birds while staying healthy:

  • Always wash your hands for 20 seconds after touching birds, their supplies or collecting eggs.
  • Use a pair of dedicated shoes or boots for your coop and don’t wear them inside your house.
  • Keep birds and supplies outside the house to prevent spreading germs into your house.
  • Don’t let children younger than 5 years touch the birds (including chicks and ducklings) or anything in the area where the birds live and roam. This helps protect young children from getting sick, as their immune systems are still developing,  are more likely to put items in their mouths or not wash hands fully.

About Salmonella:

  • Most people infected with Salmonella develop diarrhea, fever, and stomach cramps 6 hours to 6 days after being exposed to the bacteria.
  • The illness usually lasts 4 to 7 days, and most people recover without treatment.
  • In some people, the illness may be so severe that the patient is hospitalized.
  • Children younger than 5, adults 65 and older, and people with weakened immune systems are more likely to have severe illness.

If you have questions about cases in a particular state, please call that state’s health department.

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Posted in 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 Chicken

Research – Listeria monocytogenes outbreaks related to commercially produced caramel apples: Developments in sanitation, product formulation, and packaging

Posted on June 12, 2022 by | Leave a comment

Journal of Food Protection

Prior to a deadly 2014 listeriosis outbreak, caramel apples were not thought to be vehicles for the foodborne pathogen Listeria monocytogenes. The purpose of this review article is to summarize what has been learned from research prompted by this outbreak. An overview of the two L. monocytogenes outbreaks related to prepackaged caramel apples, along with a brief discussion of apple sanitation and the production processes used to make caramel apples, is provided. Research suggesting ways to prevent future outbreaks arising from caramel apples is summarized. This review is based on a qualitative analysis of literature as well as interviews with current caramel apple manufacturers. Sanitation, packaging, and storage procedures used by manufacturers in the past may be insufficient to effectively inactivate L. monocytogenes in the case of product contamination. Novel apple sanitation methods and product formulations to control L. monocytogenes on caramel apples have been developed and, in some cases, implemented in commercial production.

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Posted in Decontamination Microbial, food bourne outbreak, Food Illness, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Testing, Foodborne Illness, foodborne outbreak, foodbourne outbreak, Illness, Listeria, Listeria monocytogenes, listeriosis, microbial contamination, Microbiological Risk Assessment, Microbiology, Microbiology Investigations, outbreak, Research

Research – Results of routine inspections in restaurants and institutional catering establishments associated with foodborne outbreaks in Finland

Posted on June 11, 2022 by | Leave a comment

Tandfonline

Official food control is intended to ensure food safety in the food business. In Finland, inspections of food service are performed using a 4-point risk-based grading system. This study compared routine inspection results of outbreak and non-outbreak establishments in restaurants and institutional catering to investigate whether certain inspection results were associated with the occurrence of foodborne outbreaks. Also a more specific sample of outbreak establishments was defined using strength of evidence registered for each outbreak. Grade distributions of specific inspected items were compared separately. No significant differences were seen in restaurants but in institutional catering significantly poorer inspection results (p < 0.05) were detected in items concerning the order and cleanliness of facilities, surfaces and equipment in outbreak establishments. Effective correction of non-compliances in cleanliness of the food handling environment and equipment and constant maintenance of a favourable situation is essential in ensuring a high level of consumer safety in food service.

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

Russia – Food poisoning outbreak linked to sushi rolls sickens 38 in Samara

Posted on June 10, 2022 by | Leave a comment

Outbreak News Today

Russia: Food poisoning outbreak linked to sushi rolls sickens 38 in Samara

The number of people poisoned by rolls in the Samara region has grown to 38 people, according to Russian media. 

25 people were hospitalized in the Togliatti City Clinical Hospital No. 5 , including four children. The rest are being treated on an outpatient basis.

All patients were diagnosed with signs of food poisoning. Investigators examined the food point, identified food suppliers, and also interrogated the director of the restaurant, the investigative department said.

The mass poisoning became known on June 6 . Initially, it was reported that 22 people turned to doctors for help. According to a 63.RU source familiar with the situation, they all ordered rolls from the Kusai delivery service located in the Central District of Tolyatti. The power point has been suspended . Employees of Rospotrebnadzor, prosecutors and investigators were involved in the proceedings.

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

Canada – Two dead in Listeria outbreak at Ottawa retirement home

Posted on June 10, 2022 by | Leave a comment

Ottawa Citizen

Two residents of a west-end Ottawa retirement home are dead after a Listeria outbreak, the source of which has not been identified.

Catherine Clausi, a spokesperson for the home on Meadowlands Drive, said it has worked with Ottawa Public Health and the regional infection prevention and control team to determine the source of listeria, but has been unable to do so.

“Despite a month of investigating the outbreak with Ottawa Public Health, no known source was identified,” she said.

She added that the home purchases all of its food “through reliable suppliers and requires staff to follow all food storage and handling procedures.

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Posted in Death, food bourne outbreak, food death, Food Illness, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Research, Food Microbiology Testing, Foodborne Illness, Foodborne Illness Death, foodborne outbreak, foodbourne outbreak, Illness, Listeria, Listeria monocytogenes, microbial contamination, Microbiological Risk Assessment, Microbiology, Microbiology Investigations, outbreak

USA – New E. coli O157:H7 Outbreak Added to FDA CORE Investigation Table

Posted on June 10, 2022 by | Leave a comment

Food Poisoning Bulletin

A new E. coli O157:H7 outbreak has been added to the FDA’s CORE Outbreak Investigation Table. At least 10 people are sick. We do not know the states where the ill persons live, their age range, illness onset dates, or if anyone has been hospitalized. Traceback has been initiated, but no recall has been issued, there has been no on-site inspection or sample collection, and no analysis of any product has started. This new E. coli O157:H7 outbreak is probably associated with an FDA-regulated food.

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Posted in E.coli O157, E.coli O157:H7, food bourne outbreak, food contamination, food handler, Food Hazard, Food Hygiene, Food Inspections, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Research, Food Microbiology Testing, Food Pathogen, Food Poisoning, food recall, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Testing, Food Toxin, foodborne outbreak, foodbourne outbreak, microbial contamination, Microbiological Risk Assessment, Microbiology, Microbiology Investigations, outbreak, STEC, STEC E.coli