Category Archives: outbreak

Lithuania – Three pathogens found in chicken linked to illnesses

Food Safety News

Three people have fallen sick in Lithuania after eating chicken contaminated with Salmonella, Listeria and Campylobacter.

The Kaunas Department of the State Food and Veterinary Service (VMVT Kaunas) received information from the National Public Health Center (NVSC) about three illnesses from chicken wings sold at a café.

Officials from VMVT Kaunas inspected the outlet and found several non-compliances including instances of cross-contamination, hygiene violations at the premises and by employees as well as improper waste management. Operations at the establishment were suspended.

As part of an investigation into the source of infection, VMVT inspectors took samples of surfaces, drinking water and chicken wings for microbiological analysis. Lab testing found Salmonella, Listeria monocytogenes and Campylobacter in the chicken.

Research – Listeria monocytogenes, Escherichia coli and Coagulase Positive Staphylococci in Cured Raw Milk Cheese from Alentejo Region, Portugal

MDPI

Listeria monocytogenesEscherichia coli and Coagulase Positive Staphylococci in Cured Raw Milk Cheese from Alentejo Region, Portugal

Abstract

Traditional cheeses are part of the Portuguese gastronomic identity, and raw milk of autochthonous species is a common primary ingredient. Here, we investigated the presence of Listeria monocytogenes, Coagulase Positive Staphylococci (CPS) and pathogenic Escherichia coli, as well as of indicator microorganisms (E. coli and other Listeria spp.) in 96 cured raw milk cheeses from the Alentejo region. Whole genome sequencing (WGS) of pathogenic E. coli and Listeria spp. as well as antimicrobial resistance (AMR) screening of E. coli isolates was also performed. L. monocytogenes, CPS > 10cfu/g and Extra intestinal E. coli were detected in 15.6%, 16.9% and 10.1% of the samples, respectively. Moreover, L. monocytogenes > 102 cfu/g and Staphylococcal enterotoxins were detected in 4.2% and 2.2% of the samples, respectively. AMR was observed in 27.3% of the E. coli isolates, six of which were multidrug resistant. WGS analysis unveiled clusters of high closely related isolates for both L. monocytogenes and L. innocua (often correlating with the cheese producer). This study can indicate poor hygiene practices during milk collection/preservation or during cheese-making procedures and handling, and highlights the need of more effective prevention and control measures and of multi-sectoral WGS data integration, in order to prevent and detect foodborne bacterial outbreaks.

Finland joins countries with travel-related Shigella cases

Food Safety News

Shigella - kswfoodworld

Image CDC

Finland is the latest country to report Shigella infections in people returning from Cape Verde.

The Finnish Institute of Health and Welfare (THL) recorded eight patients with shigellosis in November and December 2022, with a history of travel to Cape Verde.

Based on typing, the strains in five of these cases match those found in other European countries. Almost all Shigella infections found in Finland originate from abroad.

During 2022, more travel-related shigellosis cases than usual were recorded in several European countries. Patients are linked by trips to Cape Verde.

Related cases have been reported by the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, France, Germany, Denmark, and Portugal.

Abu Dhabi shuts down cafeteria over food poisoning

Gulf News

Abu Dhabi: Abu Dhabi has ordered the temporary closure of the Arab Burger Cafeteria for food hygiene and safety breaches that have resulted in multiple cases of poisoning.

In a statement, the Abu Dhabi Agriculture and Food Safety Authority (Adafsa) said it had ordered the eatery in Musaffah to shut down after the poisoning cases were traced back to the individuals consuming contaminated grilled chicken meals from the restaurant. The chicken had been handled and prepared by the restaurant in an unsafe manner, which had resulted in salmonella contamination.

The Adafsa said the outlet will remain shut until it corrects unsafe practices and conditions.

Spain – UPDATE: Six hospitalised after 59 get food poisoning from famous Madrid tortilla restaurant

Euro Weekly News

According to local health authorities, the number of cases of food poisoning had risen to 59 by Wednesday, February 1 with at least six hospitalised, one of whom is said to be in intensive care. That patient is said to be very ill but their condition remains stable.

The owners of the restaurant have said the results of the inspection of the premises and the tests carried out are still awaited, with the cause still unknown.

In the meantime, they have asked anyone who has been affected to get in touch via email to enable them to respond to individual cases. The email address to write to is reclamacionescasadani@gmail.com.

USA – FDA – Investigations of Foodborne Illness Outbreaks – Cor Outbreak Table

FDA

What’s New

  • On 1/27/2023, an updated outbreak advisory was issued for the outbreak of Listeria monocytogenes linked to enoki mushrooms (reference #1127) to include additional products.

Irish officials search for the source of the Salmonella outbreak

Food Safety News

Health officials in the Republic of Ireland are investigating a Salmonella outbreak that has sickened more than 20 people.

The number of laboratory-confirmed cases associated with the epidemic is 26 and people fell ill between Nov. 30 and Dec. 25, 2022.

Patients range in age from 10 to 91 years old; 14 are male and 12 are female, according to the Health Service Executive (HSE).

The Salmonella Typhimurium outbreak was identified through routine whole genome sequencing.

The outbreak control team includes the HSE Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC), regional departments of public health, HSE environmental health officers, the National Salmonella, Shigella, and Listeria Reference Laboratory, the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI), the Department of Agriculture Fisheries and the Marine (DAFM), and colleagues from Northern Ireland.

The source of the infection remains under investigation. Officials would not say if the outbreak was linked to a recall of raw chicken products in late January.

Research – Campylobacter, the bacterium that causes most foodborne outbreaks in Spain

World Nation News

There were 11,244 cases of Campylobacteriosis in 2021, almost double the 6,891 cases reported in 2020

Campylobacter is the bacterium that causes most gastrointestinal infections in humans. According to the latest report on zoonotic diseases (infections from animals to humans) published by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), Campylobacter was the most common cause of infection in the EU accounting for 62% of the cases registered in 2021. and the European Center for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC).

In Spain, there were 11,244 cases of campylobacteriosis in 2021, almost double the 6,891 cases recorded in 2020. The incidence of this bacterium has a marked seasonal pattern, with the highest figures being found in summer, with a rebound in January. The most frequently implicated food as confirmed by the Consumers’ and Users’ Organization (OCU) is poultry meat (turkey and chicken).

India – 36 School Students Fall Sick Due To Food Poisoning In Maharashtra

NDTV

Sangli: 

Thirty-six students in Sangli in Maharashtra on Friday fell ill due to suspected food poisoning, an official said.

All of them were shifted to a hospital, where 35 were discharged post treatment, while one has been kept under observation, he said.

“Food samples from the school and the central kitchen have been sent to a lab for tests. A three-member committee has been formed to probe the matter,” Gaikwad added.

Sweden – Number sick in Swedish Salmonella in Eggs outbreak doubles

Food Safety News

hazegg.jpg

The number of people sick in a Salmonella outbreak in Sweden traced to eggs has doubled to almost 50.

The Public Health Agency of Sweden (Folkhälsomyndigheten) also warned this figure is expected to increase again.

There are 48 people from 13 regions confirmed to have been infected with the outbreak strain of Salmonella Enteritidis, this is up from 22 people in 11 regions.

Illnesses occurred between early December and mid-January. Of those sick, 22 are women and 26 are men. The age range is 1 to 90 years old with a median age of 34.

The outbreak has been linked to eggs, which have been recalled. Analysis has revealed Salmonella found during environment sampling at an egg producer is identical to isolates from sick people.

Typing of Salmonella isolates from people that reported having food containing eggs from recalled batches is ongoing, which is why the Public Health Agency of Sweden believes the number of people affected will go up.