Category Archives: outbreak

Ecuador – Salmonella outbreak linked to baptism ceremony sickens dozens

Outbreak News Today

According to a report in the news source, El Comercio (computer translated), some 60 people who participated in a celebration of baptism they were treated in wards emergency hospitals in Ambato , Latacunga and Salcedo with symptoms of poisoning food the night of Sunday 22 and dawn on Monday, 23 August 2021.

In a statement from the Zonal Coordination 3 of the Ministry of Health, it is indicated that the attendees were residents of the sectors of Huachi Grande ( Tungurahua ) and Cusubamba ( Cotopaxi ). The patients presented a picture of food poisoning from eating food contaminated with salmonella.

USA – Core Investigation Table Update

FDA

cyclo

Two Cyclospora outbreaks in the United States continue to grow, sickening at least 153 people, according to the FDA’s CORE Investigation Outbreak Table. Both investigations are active, but the government has not released any information about the outbreaks, including possible source, patient age range, illness onset dates, or if anyone has been hospitalised.

USA – Salmonella Outbreaks Linked to Italian-Style Meats

CDC

CDC and partners are investigating two Salmonella outbreaks linked to Italian-style meats. People in both outbreaks report eating salami, prosciutto, and other meats that can be found in antipasto or charcuterie assortments before getting sick. Investigators are working to identify specific contaminated products and determine if the two outbreaks are linked to the same food source.

Fast Facts
  • Illnesses: 36
  • Hospitalizations: 12
  • Deaths: 0
  • States: 17
  • Recall: No
  • Investigation status: Active

CDC, public health and regulatory officials in several states, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (USDA-FSIS) are collecting different types of data to investigate two multistate outbreaks of Salmonella infections—one involving Salmonella Typhimurium infections and one with Salmonella Infantis infections.

Epidemiologic data show that the likely sources of both outbreaks are Italian-style meats. Investigators are working to determine specific brands and products that are causing illnesses and whether the outbreaks are linked to the same Italian-style meat brands and products.

Epidemiologic Data

As of August 24, 2021, a total of 36 people infected with either Salmonella outbreak strain have been reported. This includes 23 people who are part of the Salmonella Typhimurium outbreak and 13 people who are part of the Salmonella Infantis outbreak.

The true number of sick people in the outbreaks is likely much higher than the number reported, and the outbreaks may not be limited to the states with known illnesses. This is because many people recover without medical care and are not tested for Salmonella. In addition, recent illnesses may not yet be reported as it usually takes 3 to 4 weeks to determine if a sick person is part of an outbreak.

UK – Almost 200 sick in UK-wide Salmonella outbreak; one-third hospitalised

Food Safety News

Nearly 200 people across the United Kingdom are part of a Salmonella outbreak linked to pork scratching products.

There have been 179 reported cases of Salmonella Infantis since September 2020, according to the Food Standards Agency and Food Standards Scotland.

Public Health England said 56 percent of cases are male, and ages range from 0 to 91 years old with a median of 53. Almost two thirds of those sick have been reported since June 2021.

No deaths are linked to the outbreak but a third of the confirmed cases who completed case interviews have been hospitalized with Salmonella infections.

Sweden – Campylobacter (Sweden, August 2021-)

Folkhalsomyndigheten

2021-08-23

In recent weeks, the number of people who have contracted campylobacter infection has been higher than in previous weeks. The increase has been seen throughout the country and in all age groups. The period has been preceded by an increased proportion of broiler flocks carried on campylobacter (Swedish Veterinary Institute (SVA). Previous studies have shown that cases of disease are often linked to raw chicken meat, which makes it likely that increased prevalence of campylobacter in chicken flocks is the cause. In the next few weeks, the Swedish Public Health Agency will collect samples from the disease cases for analysis and typing as part of the microbiological monitoring program in order to identify the presence of common sources of infection.

Figure. The number of reported cases of campylobacter infection per week during 2021 to week 33 (until 2021-08-23, week 33 is incomplete) and for the years 2018-2020, for cases infected in Sweden and cases with unknown country of infection.

The graph shows the number of reported cases per week in 2021 that are stacked.  During weeks 29-33, the number of cases has been higher than before with 150-200 cases, earlier this year the number of cases was below 50 to up to 100 cases a week.  The pattern follows previous years, 2018-2020 with more cases during the late summer, these years are shown as lines in the graph.

Venezuela – Salmonella outbreak sickens nearly 600 in Anzóategui

Outbreak News Today

Anzoátegui State Governor, Antonio Barreto Sira said Saturday (computer translated) there is a salmonella outbreak in the state. He notes 571 cases of salmonellosis are registered in state in north eastern Venezuela, including two deaths.

According to the epidemiological records of the Anzoatiguense Institute of Health (Saludanz), the disease mainly affects the Simón Bolívar municipality, with 262 cases in the El Carmen parish and 276 in San Cristóbal, while in the Sotillo municipality they have been diagnosed 23 and 9 in Urbaneja, all with positive antigen results and clinical signs of this pathology.

The outbreak is attributed to the terrible services in the distribution of drinking water throughout the state and especially in the north. “The lack of maintenance and repair of fallen collectors in the capital of this entity, coupled with little or no collection of garbage and solid waste, are causes of this new outbreak,” he said.

USA – Great Moon Buffet Salmonella Outbreak Sickens 17 in West St. Paul, MN

Food Poisoning Bulletin

Salmonella outbreak at Great Moon Buffet in West St. Paul, MN has sickened 17 people, according to the Minnesota Department of Health. Three people were hospitalized.

The illnesses are associated with meals purchased at the restaurant from June 26 to June 28 and some July visits to the restaurant. A particular food item has not yet been identified, the investigation is ongoing.

Thirteen of the illnesses are lab-confirmed cases of Salmonella Enteritidis. Four of the illnesses were reported from people who ate at the restaurant but weren’t tested.

After the illnesses were reported, health officials initiated interventions at Great Moon Buffet and the risk is no longer ongoing, according to the health department.

USA- Outbreak Investigation of Salmonella Weltevreden: Shrimp (April 2021)

FDA

The FDA, along with CDC and state and local partners, is investigating a multistate outbreak of Salmonella Weltevreden infections linked to the consumption of frozen cooked shrimp manufactured by Avanti Frozen Foods of India.

Since July 21, 2021, additional cases have been identified in this outbreak and this investigation was reopened. At least one ill person consumed shrimp that were not a part of the Avanti Frozen Foods of India’s initial recall. Due to this new information, on August 10, 2021 the FDA asked the firm to expand its initial recall to prevent additional illnesses. On August 13, 2021, Avanti Frozen Foods of India expanded its recall of frozen cooked shrimp to include frozen cooked shrimp products imported into the U.S. from November 2020 to May 2021. Since Avanti Frozen Foods expanded its recall, downstream recalls have been initiated for sushi products containing recalled shrimp, sold in the state of California:

Recommendation

Consumers, restaurants, and retailers should not eat, sell, or serve recalled shrimp. The expanded recall includes the following brands:

  • BIG RIVER
  • 365
  • AHOLD
  • CENSEA
  • COS
  • CWNO BRAND
  • FIRST STREET
  • NATURE’S PROMISE
  • HARBOR BANKS
  • HOS
  • MEIJER
  • SANDBAR
  • SEA COVE
  • WATERFRONT BISTRO
  • WELLSLEYFARMS
  • WFNOBRANDS
  • FOODLION
  • HANNAFORD

Please check the expanded recall announcement for full product descriptions.

Previously recalled shrimp should no longer be available for sale; however, these products have a long shelf life, and consumers, restaurants, and retailers should check their freezers and should throw away any previously recalled shrimp. The initial recall includes the following brands:

  • CENSEA
  • CHICKEN OF THE SEA
  • HONEST CATCH
  • CWNO
  • HANNAFORD
  • WATERFRONT BISTRO
  • OPEN ACRES
  • 365
  • MEIJER

Please check the initial recall announcement for full product descriptions.

Anyone who received recalled shrimp should use extra vigilance in cleaning and sanitizing any surfaces that may have come in contact with the recalled product, to reduce the risk of cross contamination.


Case Count Map Provided by CDC

Outbreak Investigation of Salmonella Weltevreden in Shrimp - CDC Case Count Map - August 11, 2021

Research – Application of chitosan microparticles against human Norovirus

Journal of Food Protection

Human norovirus (HuNoV) is the leading causative agent of foodborne outbreaks and is associated with the second most prevalent cause of waterborne infections in the United States. The goal of this research was to investigate the antiviral activity of chitosan microparticles (CM) against HuNoV GII.4 Sydney and its cultivable surrogate, Tulane virus (TuV), in suspensions mimicking fecally-contaminated water. CM was prepared by crosslinking chitosan molecules with sodium sulfate, and then its anti-noroviral activity was assessed using infectivity assay on TuV and RT-qPCR on TuV and HuNoV. A 3% CM suspension in PBS (pH 7.2) showed binding to TuV particles but with a negligible impact on virus infectivity (p>0.05). TuV and HuNoV suspended in fecal suspensions showed a 1.5-log10 reduction in genomic copies per ml following a 10-min contact time (p<0.05). Despite the negligible impact on viral infectivity, CM moderately binds to virus particles and helps purify environmental water by removing infectious virus particles. In this study, TuV served as a suitable surrogate for HuNoV by showing a similar log10 reduction in fecal suspension. Overall, the outcomes of thisresearch highlight the potential application of CM as a novel, natural treatment to minimize the spread of water-transmitted viral pathogens.

 

Finland – Undercooked burgers suspected for E. coli cases in Finland

Food Safety News

Finnish authorities have issued a warning after a number of E. coli infections were linked to hamburger patties.

The National Institute for Health and Welfare (THL) and Finnish Food Authority (Ruokavirasto) were made aware of several E. coli infections earlier this year after people ate burgers. Municipal inspectors investigated cases locally and took food samples.

E. coli may be present in raw ground (minced) meat and medium-cooked ground meat so patties should always be eaten fully cooked, said the agency.

When handling raw meat, care must be taken to wash hands, utensils and surfaces to prevent the transfer of bacteria to ready to eat foods such as salads.