Category Archives: foodbourne outbreak

Europe – Salmonella the most common cause of foodborne outbreaks in the European Union

Posted on December 13, 2019 by | Leave a comment

ECDC

Nearly one in three foodborne outbreaks in the EU in 2018 were caused by Salmonella. This is one of the main findings of the annual report on trends and sources of zoonoses published today by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) and the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC).

In 2018, EU Member States reported 5 146 foodborne outbreaks affecting 48 365 people. A foodborne disease outbreak is an incident during which at least two people contract the same illness from the same contaminated food or drink.

Slovakia, Spain and Poland accounted for 67% of the 1 581 Salmonella outbreaks. These outbreaks were mainly linked to eggs.

 “Findings from our latest Eurobarometer show that less than one third of European citizens rank food poisoning from bacteria among their top five concerns when it comes to food safety. The number of reported outbreaks suggests that there’s room for raising awareness among consumers as many foodborne illnesses are preventable by improving hygiene measures when handling and preparing food” said EFSA’s chief scientist Marta Hugas.

Salmonellosis was the second most commonly reported gastrointestinal infection in humans in the EU (91 857 cases reported), after campylobacteriosis (246 571).

Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) has become the third most common cause of foodborne zoonotic disease with 8 161 reported cases – replacing yersiniosis with a 37% increase compared to 2017. This may be partly explained by the growing use of new laboratory technologies, making the detection of sporadic cases easier.

Of the zoonotic diseases covered by the report, listeriosis accounts for the highest proportion of hospitalised cases (97%) and highest number of deaths (229), making it one of the most serious foodborne diseases.

The number of people affected by listeriosis in 2018 is similar to 2017 (2 549 in 2018 against 2 480 the previous year). However, the trend has been upward over the past ten years.

The report also includes data on Mycobacterium bovis, Brucella, Yersinia, Trichinella, Echinococcus, Toxoplasma, rabies, Coxiella burnetii (Q fever), and tularaemia.

Read the report

Publication

The European Union One Health 2018 Zoonoses Report

Surveillance report – 

This report of the European Food Safety Authority and the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control presents the results of zoonoses monitoring activities carried out in 2018 in 36 European countries (28 Member States (MS) and 8 non-MS).

The European Union One Health 2018 Zoonoses Report – EN – [PDF-14.15 MB]
e.

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Posted in E.coli, E.coli O157, E.coli O157:H7, food bourne outbreak, food contamination, food death, Food Hygiene, Food Illness, Food Inspections, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Research, Food Pathogen, Food Poisoning, food recall, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Testing, Food Toxin, foodborne disease, Foodborne Illness, foodborne outbreak, foodbourne outbreak, Listeria, Listeria monocytogenes, Research, Salmonella, STEC, STEC E.coli, Uncategorized

USA -Outbreak Investigation of Salmonella Potentially Linked to Tailor Cut Produce Fruit Mix, Winter 2019

Posted on December 9, 2019 by | Leave a comment

FDA

FDA and the Pennsylvania Department of Health (DOH) are investigating an outbreak of illnesses caused by Salmonella Javiana in Pennsylvania. Epidemiologic and traceback evidence indicate that fruit mix with cantaloupe, honeydew, pineapple, and grapes from Tailor Cut Produce of North Brunswick, New Jersey, are a potential source of this outbreak.

Total Illnesses: 31

Recommendation

Food service and institutional food operators should not sell or serve the fruit mix with cantaloupe, honeydew, pineapple, and grapes prepared by Tailor Cut Produce.

Tailor Cut Produce reports that their products may be found in restaurants, banquet facilities, hotels, schools and institutional food service establishments in New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania.

Because this fruit mix may have been distributed to nursing homes, schools, hospitals and other facilities that cater to vulnerable populations, it is important that these facilities do not sell or serve this fruit medley. Please consult with your distributor to confirm the source of the fruit mix used in your operation.

Background

The Pennsylvania Department of Health (DOH) reports that it is investigating 31 laboratory-confirmed illnesses of Salmonella at four healthcare facilities in southeast Pennsylvania. Salmonella Javiana has been identified among cases at three of four facilities. According to the Pennsylvania DOH the epidemiologic evidence collected thus far indicates that this fruit mix is a potential source of the illnesses. The state’s review of invoices shows that a common food eaten by many case patients was the fruit mix with cantaloupe, honeydew, pineapple, and grapes from Tailor Cut Produce.

FDA has activated a team to coordinate its outbreak investigation.  On December 6, 2019, the FDA and the Pennsylvania DOH shared the results of the investigation thus far with the firm, and the firm’s leadership stated that they would work with FDA to implement a recall of this product.

FDA will continue its investigation and provide updates as more information becomes available.

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Posted in FDA, food bourne outbreak, food contamination, Food Hygiene, Food Illness, Food Inspections, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Pathogen, food recall, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Testing, foodborne outbreak, foodbourne outbreak, Salmonella, Uncategorized

Netherlands – Belgium – Outbreak of Listeria monocytogenes infections in Europe linked to meat products

Posted on December 3, 2019 by | Leave a comment

HPS

03 December 2019

Article: 53/4804

A new rapid risk assessment from the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) shows that twenty-one cases of Listeria monocytogenes IVb sequence type ST 6 infections have been reported in the Netherlands (19 cases) and Belgium (two cases). This outbreak was identified using whole genome sequencing (WGS) analysis.

The patients involved had onset of illness between 2017 and August 2019. Three patients died and one suffered a miscarriage due to the infection. The close genetic relatedness of the strains, and the temporal distribution of the cases suggests a prolonged, intermittent, common source food-borne outbreak which occurred in at least two EU member states.

Nine isolates from six sliced ready-to-eat (RTE) meat products, produced between 2017 and 2019 by the Dutch manufacturing company A, were found to be contaminated with L. monocytogenes strains matching the outbreak strain.

Although the exact points of contamination have not yet been identified, the results of the investigation suggest that the contamination may have happened at the Dutch company, which was the only common manufacturing point of the contaminated products. The company distributed products to several EU countries as well as to countries outside the EU.

Company A stopped production in October 2019, and finalised the withdrawals and recalls of all RTE meat products. This measure lowered the risk of new cases occurring, which may be associated with this company’s products.

Pregnant women, the elderly and immunocompromised people are at higher risk of invasive listeriosis, which is associated with severe clinical course and potential death.

Specific attention should be paid to the administration of RTE meat products to people in hospitals, nursing homes and those belonging to vulnerable population groups.

Source: ECDC, 26 November 2019

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Posted in food contamination, Food Hygiene, Food Illness, Food Inspections, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Pathogen, food recall, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Testing, foodborne disease, Foodborne Illness, foodborne outbreak, foodbourne outbreak, Listeria, Listeria monocytogenes, Uncategorized

Sweden – Sweden -Cryptosporidium outbreak tops 300 cases since October

Posted on December 2, 2019 by | Leave a comment

Outbreak News Today crypt

In a follow-up on a previous report on the Cryptosporidium outbreak in Sweden, the Public Health Authority, or Folkhalsomyndigheten, report more than 300 cases of cryptosporidiosis in October and November.

The good news is while the number of cases are still unusually high, the number of reported cases has decreased.

 

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Posted in Boil Water Notice, Contaminated water, Cryptosporidium, food bourne outbreak, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology Blog, foodborne outbreak, foodbourne outbreak, microbial contamination, Microbiology, outbreak, Uncategorized, Water, water microbiology

USA -Cruise outbreak: 133 sickened on Norwegian Cruises’, Norwegian Joy

Posted on November 28, 2019 by | Leave a comment

Outbreak New Today

Federal health officials are reported a gastrointestinal outbreak of yet unknown etiology onboard a recent voyage of the Norwegian Cruise Lines vessel, Norwegian Joy.

According to officials, 127 passengers and six crew members have been stricken with symptoms of diarrhea on a recent November 8–24, 2019 voyage.

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Posted in food bourne outbreak, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, foodborne outbreak, foodbourne outbreak, microbial contamination, Microbiology, outbreak, Uncategorized

USA – MD E. coli O157:H7 Outbreak Linked to Ready Pac Chicken Caesar Salad

Posted on November 20, 2019 by | Leave a comment

Food Poisoning Bulletin

A MD E. coli O157:H7 outbreak may be linked to Ready Pac Bistro® Bowl Chicken Caesar Salad that was purchased from several Sam’s Club locations in that state, according to the Maryland Health Department. Seven people are sick. One person has been hospitalized and no deaths have been reported.

The health department is recommending the consumers not eat Ready Pac Bistro® Bowl Chicken Caesar Salad. The lot number on the product is 255406963, and the best by date is October 31, 2019.

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Posted in E.coli, E.coli O157, E.coli O157:H7, food bourne outbreak, food contamination, Food Hygiene, Food Illness, Food Inspections, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Pathogen, Food Poisoning, food recall, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Testing, Food Toxin, foodborne outbreak, foodbourne outbreak, outbreak, Uncategorized

USA – As many as 20 possible E. coli cases in Wisconsin – lettuce a suspect

Posted on November 20, 2019 by | Leave a comment

Food Poison Journal

According to press reports, the Wisconsin Department of Health Services is investigating what it calls a “significant increase” in the number of E. coli reports throughout the state.

Since November 13, officials say they are investigating 20 cases, three involving children. They say the cases are scattered across the state and are not isolated in any one region. The source remains a mystery.  However, officials are treating it as an outbreak.

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Posted in E.coli, food bourne outbreak, food contamination, Food Hygiene, Food Illness, Food Inspections, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Pathogen, food recall, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Testing, foodborne outbreak, foodbourne outbreak, outbreak, Uncategorized

USA -Outbreak of Listeria Infections Linked to Deli-Sliced Meats and Cheeses

Posted on November 18, 2019 by | Leave a comment

CDC

This investigation is over. This outbreak is a reminder that deli products, such as sliced meats and cheeses, can have Listeria bacteria. People who are at higher risk for Listeria infection should avoid eating hot dogs, lunch meats, cold cuts, and other deli meats, unless they are heated to an internal temperature of 165°F or until steaming hot just before serving.

CDC and several states, along with the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, investigated a multistate outbreak of Listeria infections linked to deli-sliced meats and cheeses. A single, common supplier of deli products was not identified.

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Posted in CDC, food bourne outbreak, Food Illness, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Foodborne Illness, foodborne outbreak, foodbourne outbreak, Illness, Listeria, Listeria monocytogenes, microbial contamination, Microbiology, outbreak, Uncategorized

Canada – Public Health Notice – Outbreak of Listeria infections linked to Rosemount brand cooked diced chicken is over.

Posted on November 8, 2019 by | Leave a comment

Canada PHN

November 1, 2019 – Final Update

This is the final update to this notice. The outbreak appears to be over and the outbreak investigation has been closed.

The Public Health Agency of Canada collaborated with provincial public health partners, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency and Health Canada to investigate an outbreak of Listeria monocytogenes infections involving three provinces: British Columbia, Manitoba and Ontario. The outbreak appears to be over and the outbreak investigation has been closed.

Based on the investigation findings, Rosemount brand cooked diced chicken was identified as a likely source of the outbreak. Rosemount cooked diced chicken was supplied to institutions (including cafeterias, hospitals and nursing homes) where many of the individuals who became sick resided, or visited, before becoming ill.

On August 18, 2019 the Canadian Food Inspection Agency issued a food recall warning for Rosemount brand cooked diced chicken meat 13mm – ½” (#16305), packdate – 01/21/2019. During the food safety investigation, the CFIA identified additional affected products and updated food recall warnings have been issued. For additional details on all recalled product names and lot codes, please consult CFIA’s website.

Canadians are advised not to eat any of the recalled products or any foods containing the recalled products. Food service establishments are advised not to sell or serve any recalled products, or any items that may have been prepared or produced using recalled products.

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Posted in food bourne outbreak, food contamination, Food Hygiene, Food Illness, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Pathogen, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Testing, foodborne outbreak, foodbourne outbreak, Listeria, Listeria monocytogenes, Uncategorized

USA – Salmonella Dublin in Ground Beef Sickens 10 in 6 States

Posted on November 4, 2019 by | Leave a comment

Food Poison Journal

As of November 1, 2019, a total of 10 people infected with the outbreak strain of Salmonella Dublin have been reported from 6 states.

Illnesses started on dates ranging from August 8, 2019, to September 22, 2019. Ill people range in age from 48 to 74 years, with a median age of 68. Eighty percent of ill people are male. Of nine ill people with information available, eight (89%) were hospitalized, which is much higher than we would expect for Salmonella infections. The hospitalization rate is usually about 20%. One death has been reported in California. In five (50%) ill people, Salmonella was found in samples of blood, which indicates their illnesses may have been more severe. Typically, Salmonella Dublin illnesses are more severe because they can cause bloodstream infections, which are serious and require hospitalization.

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Posted in food contamination, Food Hygiene, Food Illness, Food Inspections, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Pathogen, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Testing, Foodborne Illness, foodborne outbreak, foodbourne outbreak, Salmonella, Uncategorized