Category Archives: foodbourne outbreak

Norway – Outbreak of Salmonella infection

Matportalen

The Norwegian Food Safety Authority has been notified by the Norwegian Institute of Public Health about a national outbreak of the gastrointestinal bacterium Salmonella Napoli. So far, infection has been detected in seven people. The source of infection is not known.

An outbreak investigation has been initiated in collaboration between the Norwegian Food Safety Authority, the Norwegian Institute of Public Health, the Veterinary Institute and municipal chief medical officers. It is currently unknown what the source of infection is, but it is common for gastrointestinal bacteria to become infected through food. According to the Norwegian Institute of Public Health, the most common symptoms are diarrhoea, headache, abdominal pain, nausea and possibly fever.

– The Norwegian Food Safety Authority collects information from the sick persons about what they have eaten and what they have been in contact with. It may also be relevant to take samples of food and food packaging, says Anne Mæland, senior advisor in the biological food safety section of the Norwegian Food Safety Authority.

Outbreak investigation takes time and the work is complicated. It is not always possible to find the source of infection in such outbreaks. If a common source of infection from food, animals or the environment is identified, the Norwegian Food Safety Authority will follow up the tracing work along the food chain.

USA – FDA – Core Table -Investigations of Foodborne Illness Outbreaks

FDA

What’s New

  • An Outbreak Advisory was issued for the outbreak of Salmonella Thompson (ref #1190) linked to recalled Gills Onions brand diced onions. An onsite inspection and sample collection have been initiated. Additional information is available in the Outbreak Advisory.
Date
Posted
Ref Pathogen
or
Cause of
Illness
Product(s)
Linked to
Illnesses

(if any)
Total
Case
Count

Status
10/4/

2023

1190 Salmonella
Thompson
Onions See

Advisory

Active
8/9/

2023

1172 Listeria
monocytogenes
Ice
Cream
See
Advisory
Active

Finland – Sprouts suspected in Finnish Salmonella outbreak

Food Safety News

A Salmonella outbreak in Finland, which affected more than 60 people, has been linked to sprouts.

The National Institute of Health and Welfare (THL) reported that 62 people in different parts of the country became ill from Salmonella Enteritidis in August and October.

In September, it was reported that authorities were investigating an increase in Salmonella Enteritidis infections.

In interviews by local authorities, 23 of 24 people said that they had eaten sprouts before getting sick.

THL surveyed salmonellosis patients in Finland to find out the extent and source of the epidemic. This survey was answered by 16 cases part of the Salmonella Enteritidis outbreak and 11 other controls infected with Salmonella.

People who became infected with the outbreak strain of Salmonella Enteritidis had eaten sprouts more often than people who were not part of the outbreak.

Patients had eaten two different sprout products in the seven days before becoming ill. Both products had the same unnamed producer.

USA -Buckhead Fresh Market Salmonella Outbreak Sickens Consumers

Food Poisoning Bulletin

A Buckhead Fresh Market Salmonella outbreak in Georgia has sickened an unnamed number of consumers, according to WSB-TV. A whistleblower told that news outlet that food sold from the deli may be associated with this outbreak. That Fresh Market is located on Roswell Road in Buckhead.

USA – Miguel’s Cocina 4S Ranch linked to E. coli Outbreak in San Diego

Food Poison Journal

The County of San Diego Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA) is reporting an outbreak of 13 confirmed or probable cases of Shiga-toxin-producing E. Coli (STEC) linked to dining at Miguel’s Cocina 4S Ranch location in San Diego.

HHSA Epidemiology Program and the County Department of Environmental Health and Quality are investigating the cluster of E. coli infections. Ages range from 6 to 87 years of age.

The ill persons or their families reported eating at the Miquel’s 4S Ranch location from Oct. 6 to Oct. 18 and had symptoms from Oct. 13 to Oct. 19.  Seven cases were hospitalized with at least one case developing the more severe complication of the infection called hemolytic uremic syndrome.

The specific food items that were sources of the E. coli bacteria at the restaurant are under investigation.  The restaurant is cooperating and working closely with the County. This morning its management voluntarily decided to close until the source can be identified.

“People who visited the restaurant and are feeling ill should see their doctor as soon as possible,” said Wilma J. Wooten, M.D., M.P.H., County public health officer.  “We want them to get tested and have the results sent to the local health department. Those most at risk from infection are children, adults 65 and older and people with weakened immune systems.”

USA – Cryptosporidium Outbreak in Caldwell County, North Carolina

Food Poisoning Bulletin

A Cryptosporidium outbreak in Caldwell County, North Carolina has sickened an unnamed number of residents, according to the Caldwell County Health Department. No patient age range or illness onset dates were given in the press release, and there is no word on whether or not anyone has been hospitalized. Officials are also not saying if contaminated food or drink, contaminated recreational water, or contact with animals caused these illnesses.

U.S. researchers confirm canned sardines spread deadly botulism during Rugby World Club held in France

Food Safety News

They visited Bordeaux, France, last month for the Rugby World Cup and reported  eating home-canned sardines in the same bar and restaurant

The University of Minnesota  Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy (CIDRAP) reports that 15 cases of botulism poisoning resulted, including one death.

The deadly outbreak was confirmed by the open-access platform known as  Eurosurveillance.

CIDRAP’s summary of the botulism outbreak follows:

The report presented the clinical case descriptions of eight patients seen at the Bordeaux University Hospital, where the first patient treated in the outbreak was admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) on Sept. 6.

Home-canned sardines implicated
All three initial patients seen at the hospital reported visiting France for the rugby tournament. On Sept. 10, French investigators questioned the three, who all reported eating home-canned sardines in the same bar and restaurant in Bordeaux.

On Sept. 11 and Sept. 12, the hospital saw five more patients, all international visitors, for symptoms of botulism poisoning, including descending paralysis and extensive gastrointestinal illness.

The patients came from Canada, France, Ireland, and the United States. Two patients were men, six were women, and only one was younger than 50. The average time between the consumption of sardines and the first signs of illness was 13 hours.

“Six of eight cases required invasive mechanical ventilation because of respiratory muscle paralysis,” the CIDRAP authors said. The median delay between the onset of symptoms and intubation was 25 hours.

USA – CDC confirms high school E. coli outbreak is part of multi-state outbreak

Food Safety News

An E. Coli outbreak at an Illinois high school is part of a multi-state outbreak being investigated by federal officials.

According to school district officials, the outbreak at Huntley High School in suburban Chicago was identified on Sept. 17. Nine high school students were confirmed as outbreak patients, and several more were suspected to be part of the outbreak.

Although federal officials have not posted any information about the outbreak, a spokesperson for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention confirmed to Food Safety News that the agency is involved in the investigation.

USA – Outbreak Investigation of Salmonella: Onions (October 2023)

FDA

Product

Recalled Gills Onions-brand diced yellow onions, diced onions & celery, diced mirepoix, and diced red onions with use-by dates in August 2023.

FDA’s investigation is ongoing. Updates to this advisory will be provided as they become available.

Stores Affected

  • Recalled Gills Onions were sold to foodservice and institutions nationwide and in Canada. The firm has directly notified foodservice customers who received recalled product.
  • Recalled product was sold to retailers in Arizona, California, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, and Washington.

Symptoms of Salmonella Infection

Illness usually occurs within 12 to 72 hours after eating contaminated food and usually lasts four to seven days. Symptoms include diarrhea, fever, and abdominal cramps. Children younger than five, the elderly, and people with weakened immune systems are more likely to have severe infections.

Status

Ongoing

Recommendation

  • Consumers should not eat, sell, or serve recalled onions and should check their freezers if they froze recalled products. Full descriptions of recalled products sold to retailers in AZ, CA, ID, MT, OR, and WA can be found in the recall announcement.
  • Direct customers, including restaurants, institutions, and retailers will be contacted by the company and should check their refrigerators and freezers and throw away recalled onions.
  • Contact your healthcare provider if you think you may have symptoms of a Salmonella infection after eating recalled onions.

Current Update

October 24, 2023

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in collaboration with state and local partners, are investigating an outbreak of Salmonella Thompson infections linked to fresh diced onions from Gills Onions of Oxnard, California.

Based on epidemiological data collected by CDC, 14 of 19 cases with information available reported exposure to fresh diced onions before becoming ill. Additionally, based on traceback data collected by FDA, FDA determined that onions processed at Gills Onions were available at points of service where people ate prior to becoming ill.

In response to this investigation, Gills Onions has voluntarily recalled diced yellow onion, diced onions & celery, diced mirepoix, and diced red onions.

The investigation is ongoing to determine the source of contamination and whether additional products are linked to illnesses. FDA will update this advisory should additional consumer safety information become available.

USA – 9 Cases Of Salmonella Linked To Raw Milk Reported In San Diego County

Patch

Nine San Diego area residents became ill after consuming raw milk or milk products from Fresno-based Raw Farm LLC, officials said.