The Two Rivers Public Health District in south-central Nebraska is reporting an increase of both norovirus and rotavirus cases in the district.
Norovirus and rotavirus outbreaks also frequently occur in schools, childcare centers, colleges, and universities. Both norovirus and rotavirus are spread by accidentally getting tiny particles of feces (poop) or vomit from an infected person in your mouth. Outbreaks on school and university campuses have even led to campus closures. Close quarters, shared spaces, and high-touch surfaces make it easy for norovirus and rotavirus to spread.
Health officials strongly recommends taking the following actions:
• Washing hands carefully and frequently
• Staying home when experiencing vomiting and diarrhea
• Careful cleaning of surfaces that have had contact with vomit and diarrhea using an EPA certified cleaning products
The FDA and CDC, in collaboration with state and local partners, investigated a multistate outbreak of Listeria monocytogenes infections. According to the CDC, as of March 8, 2022, this outbreak has ended.
On December 20, 2021, Fresh Express voluntarily recalled certain varieties of its branded and private label salad products produced at the company’s Streamwood, Illinois, facility.
Recommendation
On March 8, 2022, CDC announced this outbreak is over. The product is past expiration and should no longer be available to consumers. Therefore, there are no recommendations for consumers, retailers, or suppliers.
FDA recommends that anyone who received recalled products use extra vigilance in cleaning and sanitizing any surfaces and containers that may have come in contact with these products to reduce the risk of cross-contamination. Listeria can survive in refrigerated temperatures and can easily spread to other foods and surfaces.
Product Images
Map of U.S. Distribution of Recalled Packaged Salad
Case Count
People infected with the outbreak strain of Listeria monocytogenes by state of residence, as of March 8, 2022 (n=10)
Case Counts
Total Illnesses: 10
Hospitalizations: 10
Deaths: 1
Last Illness Onset: October 19, 2021
States with Cases: IL, MA, MI, NJ, NY, OH, PA, VA
National public health officials in Finland are monitoring the situation following local reports of Yersinia outbreaks.
Two outbreaks of Yersinia enterocolitica serotype O:3 have been reported to the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL) in recent weeks from the South Savo and Helsinki-Uusimaa regions.
Another suspected outbreak has been recorded in the Pirkanmaa region but patient samples have not been serotyped. People fell sick between early and mid-February.
A total of 39 cases were noted in all of Finland in February 2022, which is less than the 55 infections in February 2021.
In February 2022, five cases of Yersinia enterocolitica from South Savo were reported to the Infectious Diseases Register, which is run by THL, while from 2019 to 2021 there were no illnesses at the same time.
02.28.2022 EXPANDED: Abbott is voluntarily recalling one lot of Similac PM 60/40 (Lot # 27032K80 (can) / Lot # 27032K800 (case)) manufactured in Sturgis, Michigan. This is in addition to lots of Similac®, Alimentum® and EleCare® powder formula that were voluntarily recalled on Feb. 17. The action comes after learning of the death of an infant who tested positive for Cronobacter sakazakii and who we were informed had consumed Similac PM 60/40 from this lot. This case is under investigation, and at this time the cause of the infant’s Cronobacter sakazakii infection has not been determined. We want to extend our heartfelt sympathies to the family.
Importantly, no distributed product has tested positive for the presence of Cronobacter sakazakii. Additionally, recently tested retained product samples of Similac PM 60/40 Lot # 27032K80 (can) / Lot #27032K800 (case) were negative for Cronobacter.
02.17.2022 Abbott initiated a proactive, voluntary recall of powder formulas, including Similac, Alimentum and EleCare, manufactured in Sturgis, Michigan, one of the company’s manufacturing facilities. The recall does not include any metabolic deficiency nutrition formulas.
Abbott is voluntarily recalling these products after four consumer complaints related to Cronobacter sakazakii or Salmonella Newport in infants who had consumed powder infant formula manufactured in this facility.
Additionally, as part of Abbott’s quality processes, we conduct routine testing for Cronobacter sakazakii and other pathogens in our manufacturing facilities. During testing in our Sturgis, Michigan, facility, we found evidence of Cronobacter sakazakii in the plant in non-product contact areas. We found no evidence of Salmonella Newport. This investigation is ongoing.
Importantly, no distributed product has tested positive for the presence of either of these bacteria, and we continue to test. Abbott conducts extensive quality checks on each completed batch of infant formula, including microbiological analysis prior to release. All finished infant formula powder products are tested for Cronobacter, Salmonella, and other pathogens, and they must test negative before the product is released. Additionally, retained samples related to the three complaints for Cronobacter sakazakii tested negative for Cronobacter. And the retained sample related to the complaint for Salmonella Newport tested negative for Salmonella.
While Abbott’s testing of distributed product detected no pathogens, we are taking action by recalling the powder formula manufactured in this facility with an expiration of April 1, 2022, or later. No Abbott liquid formulas are included in the recall, nor are powder formulas or nutrition products from other facilities.
If your infant is experiencing symptoms related to Cronobacter or Salmonella infection, such as poor feeding, irritability, temperature changes, jaundice, grunting breaths, abnormal movements, lethargy, rash, or blood in the urine or stool; contact your health care provider to report their symptoms and receive immediate care.
To find out if the product you have is included in this recall, click on the button below to check your lot number.
Over 1,000 people who attended a wedding dinner in the Savala village of Visnagar, Mehsana on Friday were rushed to health facilities following food poisoning. According to Visnagar taluka police, an inquiry has been initiated and proceedings shall be initiated accordingly.
According to police inspector BL Maheriya of Visnagar taluka police station, the wedding of former Congress leader Wazir Khan Pathan’s son was held on March 3 and the next day on March 4 a dinner was organised at Savala with “12,000-15,000 guests in attendance”, of which around 1,057 guests started exhibiting symptoms of food poisoning such as vomiting and diarrhoea and were admitted at various health facilities in Gandhinagar.
“FSL and FDCA has taken samples of sweets and other food items served at the dinner and the results are awaited. Health department too is working on this and have taken samples of the vomit and stool. Prima facie it seems the caterer may have been negligent and there could have been adulteration in the food,” Gohil said.
Norovirus outbreaks in care homes have risen in recent weeks, leading UKHSA to remind people of simple steps that can be taken to limit the spread of the bug.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) is reminding the public of simple actions that they can take to reduce the spread of norovirus. The advice comes after routine surveillance in England shows that the number of outbreaks caused by the vomiting bug has increased in recent weeks (4-week period from end January to February), initially in educational settings and now in care home settings.
Norovirus is highly infectious and causes vomiting and diarrhoea but usually passes in a couple of days. It is easily transmitted through contact with infected individuals or contaminated surfaces.
The increase in reported outbreaks was initially in educational settings, particularly in nursery and childcare facilities, with 48% more incidents reported to UKHSA than would be expected.
Reports of norovirus outbreaks in care home settings to UKHSA have also increased in recent weeks in 2022 – with a rise from 24 reported in week 6 (week commencing 7 February), to 40 reported in week 7 (week commencing 14 February).
While outbreaks reported in care home settings overall remain below pre-pandemic expected levels, it is likely they will continue to increase in the coming weeks and a rise in norovirus outbreaks in care home settings often precedes an increase in outbreaks in hospital settings. Therefore, it is important to take steps to limit the spread of norovirus.
Professor Saheer Gharbia, Gastrointestinal Pathogens and Food Safety Directorate, UKHSA, said:
Norovirus, commonly known as the winter vomiting bug, has been at lower levels than normal throughout the pandemic but as people have begun to mix more, the numbers of outbreaks have started to increase again.
Symptoms include sudden onset of nausea, projectile vomiting and diarrhoea but can also include a high temperature, abdominal pain and aching limbs. Stay at home if you are experiencing norovirus symptoms and do not return to work or send children to school or nursery until 48 hours after symptoms have cleared.
Please avoid visiting elderly relatives if you are unwell – particularly if they are in a care home or hospital. As with COVID-19 and other infectious illnesses, hand washing is really important to help stop the spread of this bug, but remember, unlike for COVID-19 alcohol gels do not kill off norovirus so soap and water is best.
How to reduce the spread of norovirus
Stay at home if you are experiencing norovirus symptoms. Do not return to work or send children to school until 48 hours after symptoms have cleared. Also avoid visiting elderly or poorly relatives, particularly if they are in hospital or a care home.
Wash your hands frequently and thoroughly with soap and warm water. Alcohol hand gels don’t kill norovirus.
When an infected person vomits, the droplets contaminate the surrounding surfaces. A bleach-based household cleaner or a combination of bleach and hot water should be used to disinfect potentially contaminated household surfaces and commonly used objects such as toilets, taps, telephones, door handles and kitchen surfaces.
If you are ill, avoid cooking and helping prepare meals for others until 48 hours after symptoms have stopped, as norovirus can be spread through food contaminated by the virus when food is handled by symptomatic people or infected individuals.
Wash any contaminated clothing or bedding using detergent and at 60°C and, if possible, wear disposable gloves to handle contaminated items.
Norovirus activity has risen as people have begun to mix more – it is possible that unusual or out-of-season increases could be seen in the coming months.
UKHSA’s National Norovirus Surveillance Team will continue to closely monitor all available surveillance data to ensure early detection of any unusual norovirus activity and outbreaks.
The FDA and CDC, in collaboration with state and local partners, investigated illnesses in a multistate outbreak of E. coli O157:H7. According to the CDC, as of March 2, 2022, this outbreak has ended. Consumer purchase data indicated that seven people purchased Nature’s Basket Power Greens or Simple Truth Organic Power Greens at grocery stores before becoming sick.
FDA conducted a traceback investigation on the products of interest. Farms from both the Yuma, AZ and Salinas, CA growing regions were identified to have supplied product that could have been available to consumers, however no single production code was identified by the traceback. During FDA’s investigation, environmental samples collected near farms identified in the traceback in the Yuma, AZ and Salinas, CA growing regions tested positive for Shiga-toxin producing E. coli (STEC), however all were different strains and did not match the strain identified in this outbreak.
Recommendation
CDC announced this outbreak is over. The product is past expiration and should no longer be available to consumers. Therefore, there are no recommendations for consumers, retailers, or suppliers.
Case Count Map Provided by CDC
Case Counts
Total Illnesses: 10
Hospitalizations: 4
Deaths: 0
Last Illness Onset: December 19, 2021
States with Cases: AK (2), OH (1), OR (1), WA (6)
In the U.S, four consumer complaints of infant illness were received from September 2021 to December 2021. This includes three reports of Cronobacter sakazakii infections and one Salmonella Newport infection. All four infants were hospitalized and Cronobacter may have contributed to one death.
Abbott’s recall of these powdered infant formula produced at its facility in Sturgis, Michigan MI, has spread globally and now includes Croatia, Italy, Ireland, Netherlands, Slovenia, and Spain, among many other countries. Food Standards Agency (FSA) is investigating whether three infant illnesses reported recently in the United Kingdom are connected to an outbreak in the United States from the recalled infant formula.
Background:
Cronobacter bacteria can cause severe, life-threatening infections(sepsis) or meningitis. Symptoms of which include poor feeding, irritability, temperature changes, jaundice, grunting breaths and abnormal movement in infants. The infection can also lead to bowel damage and may spread through the blood to other parts of the body.
Salmonella bacteria causes gastrointestinal illness, fever called salmonellosis which may lead to diarrhea, fever, and abdominal cramps. A severe case of salmonella infection results in headache, lethargy, rash, blood in the urine or stool and may be fatal in some cases.
PLEASE NOTE THAT ABBOTT’S SIMILAC INFANT FORMULA POWDER REGISTERED BY NAFDAC ARE MANUFACTURED IN SOUTH AFRICA AND REPUBLIC OF IRELAND WHILE,
THE RECALLED PRODUCTS LISTED ABOVE WERE MANUFACTURED IN STURGIS, MICHIGAN- AMERICA.
Recommendation:
The Agency advises that parents of infant experiencing any of these symptoms after consumption of the recalled Abbott Infant formula, should notify your child’s healthcare provider and seek medical care for your child immediately. Healthcare providers and health departments are encouraged to report any confirmed cases of Cronobacter sakazakii to relevant authorities.
NAFDAC implores importers, distributors, retailers and the public to exercise caution and vigilance to avoid sale, distribution and consumption of the recalled products listed above or if in possession should submit to the nearest NAFDAC office or report to NAFDAC PRASCOR (20543 or 0800-1-623322) TOLL FREE from all networks) or via pharmacovigilance@nafdac.gov.ng or via e-Reporting platform available on the NAFDAC website http://www.nafdac,gov.ng.
The ABBOTT company has clarified that the batch numbers indicated in the initial notification appear on the boxes of 6 cans. On the other hand, the last digit does not appear on the cans. A photograph of how the lot appears in both cases is attached.
The updated data of the product involved are:
SIMILAC FOOD 400g. Lots:
BOXLOTS 25659Z261 (expiry 01 2023); lots IN CAN 25659Z26 (expiry 01 2023)
BOXLOTS 28123Z261 (expiry 04 2023); lots IN CAN 28123Z26 (expiry 04 2023)
BOXLOTS 30283Z262 (expiry 06 2023); lots IN CAN 30283Z26 (expiry 06 2023)
BOXLOTS 31410Z204 (expiry 07 2023); lots IN CAN 31410Z20 (expiry 07 2023)
BOX-LOTS 33688Z201 (expiry 09 2023); lots IN CAN 33688Z20 (expiry 09 2023)
FoodWorld 