Category Archives: outbreak

USA -Shigella Outbreak hits Elk’s Lodge in Humboldt

Posted on September 9, 2024 by | Leave a comment

Food Poison Journal

Humboldt County Department of Health & Human Services Public and Environmental Health officials are advising community residents who attended a dinner at the Elks Lodge in Eureka on Wednesday, Aug. 28, that they may have been exposed to Shigella. Attendees experiencing gastrointestinal (GI) issues should contact their primary care provider, as well as take steps not to spread the highly contagious infection.

Instances of Shigella infection are on the rise in the county after at least six individuals have tested positive for the illness since August.

The first cluster of three cases was identified in late-August. The individuals all appear to have been infected sometime in mid-August and a connection between the individuals could not be confirmed. Based on this information, Public Health sent out a Provider Alert to monitor for potential cases in case there was ongoing spread in the community.

Humboldt County Health Officer Dr. Candy Stockton said within the last 24 hours, staff was notified about three new confirmed cases and five suspected cases associated with the Aug. 28 event.

Leave a comment

Posted in food bourne outbreak, Food Illness, Foodborne Illness, foodborne outbreak, foodbourne outbreak, Illness, outbreak, Shigella

USA – FDA – Outbreak Investigation of Salmonella: Eggs (Sept 2024)

Posted on September 9, 2024 by | Leave a comment

fda

Do not eat, sell, or serve recalled chicken eggs from Milo’s Poultry Farms and Tony’s Fresh Market. FDA’s investigation is ongoing.

Product

All types (conventional cage-free, organic, and non-GMO chicken eggs) and sizes (M, L, XL, Jumbo) of recalled chicken eggs supplied by Milo’s Poultry Farms, LLC in Bonduel, WI.

This recall covers all expiration dates for the following eggs:

  • All carton sizes and all egg types labeled with “Milo’s Poultry Farms”.
  • All carton sizes of “Tony’s Fresh Market” branded eggs.

Symptoms of Salmonella Infection:

Illness usually occurs within 12 to 72 hours after eating food that is contaminated with Salmonella, and the symptoms 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.

Stores Affected

Recalled eggs were distributed to food service locations and retailers located in Wisconsin, Illinois, and Michigan. The firm has directly notified foodservice customers who received recalled product.

FDA will update this advisory as more information becomes available.

Status

Ongoing

Recommendation

  • Consumers, restaurants, and retailers should not eat, sell, or serve recalled chicken eggs produced by Milo’s Poultry Farms, LLC and distributed to restaurants and retailers in IL, WI, and MI.
  • Consumers, restaurants, and retailers who purchased or received recalled chicken eggs, including wholesale eggs, should carefully clean and sanitize any surfaces or containers that they touched.
  • Check your refrigerators for any recalled chicken eggs and throw them away. If you stored the eggs without the original packaging and can’t tell if it is part of the recall, throw them away.
  • Wash hands, utensils, and surfaces with hot, soapy water before and after handling raw eggs and raw egg-containing foods. Follow FDA’s safe handling and cleaning advice and use extra care in cleaning and sanitizing any surfaces and containers that may have come in contact with this product to reduce the risk of cross-contamination.
  • Contact your healthcare provider if you think you may have developed symptoms of a Salmonella infection, after eating eggs.

Leave a comment

Posted in food bourne outbreak, Food Illness, Foodborne Illness, foodborne outbreak, foodbourne outbreak, Illness, outbreak, Salmonella, Salmonella in Eggs

Research – Inhibitory Effects of Lactobionic Acid on Biofilm Formation and Virulence of Staphylococcus aureus

Posted on September 7, 2024 by | Leave a comment

MDPI

Abstract

Staphylococcus aureus biofilm is a common bio-contaminant source that leads to food cross-contamination and foodborne disease outbreaks. Hence, there is a need for searching novel antibiofilm agents with potential anti-virulence properties to control S. aureus contamination and infections in food systems. In this study, the antibiofilm effects of lactobionic acid (LBA) against S. aureus and its influence on virulence were explored. The minimum inhibition concentration of LBA on S. aureus was 8 mg/mL. Viable count and crystal violet assays revealed that LBA inhibited and inactivated S. aureus biofilms. Microscopic observations further confirmed the antibiofilm activity of LBA on S. aureus that disrupted the biofilm architecture and inactivated the viable cells in biofilms. Moreover, LBA decreased the release of extracellular DNA (eDNA) and extracellular polysaccharide (EPS) in S. aureus biofilms. LBA suppressed biofilm formation by intervening metabolic activity and reduced virulence secretion by repressing the hemolytic activity of S. aureus. Furthermore, LBA altered the expressions of biofilm- and virulence-related genes in S. aureus, further confirming that LBA suppressed biofilm formation and reduced the virulence secretion of S. aureus. The results suggest that LBA might be useful in preventing and controlling biofilm formation and the virulence of S. aureus to ensure food safety.

Leave a comment

Posted in Biofilm, food bourne outbreak, Food Microbiology Research, foodborne outbreak, foodbourne outbreak, outbreak, Research, Staphylococcus aureus

Australia – Yersinia outbreak linked to milkshakes in Australia.

Posted on September 6, 2024 by | Leave a comment

Food Safety News

Scientists have found a contaminated ingredient used in milkshakes was likely to blame for a Yersinia outbreak in an Australian state.

In January 2023, an outbreak of Yersinia enterocolitica in residential aged care facilities was identified by the Gold Coast Public Health Unit and confirmed using whole genome sequencing.

There were 55 cases, including six staff. Sick residents ranged in age from 54 to 101 with a median of 87 years old. 41 females and 14 males were affected. Date of onset was known for 46 cases and ranged from Jan. 16 to Feb. 17, 2023, with a peak in late January. No cases went to the emergency department. One person, who was ill prior to Yersinia infection, died.

Leave a comment

Posted in food bourne outbreak, Food Microbiology Research, foodborne outbreak, foodbourne outbreak, outbreak, Research, Yersinia, yersinia enterocolitica

Research – Monophasic variant of Salmonella Typhimurium 4,[5],12:i:- outbreak: an investigation by the Competent Authority – Italy in Roasted Pork

Posted on September 3, 2024 by | Leave a comment

Italian Journal of Food Safety

Foodborne diseases represent a significant public health issue, regarding both collective health and the economy, with implications for healthcare costs and agribusiness. This paper shows the description and results of the investigation of a Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica foodborne outbreak that occurred in the Marche Region (Italy) in 2022, linked to the consumption of a roasted pork product (porchetta).

As part of the outbreak investigations discussed in this article, molecular analysis to evaluate the genomic correlation between clinical, food, and environmental origin strains was carried out. All Salmonella strains of different origins were serotyped as monophasic variants of Salmonella Typhimurium with an antibiotic-resistance pattern and an allelic profile such as to define the “cluster strain” allowing the correlation between clinical and food/environmental strains, definitively confirmed by whole genome sequencing analysis.

Following the laboratory evidence, corrective measures at the porchetta processing plant and at the retail stores involved were carried out by the Local Animal Based Food Hygiene Service. The results of this study show that effective intervention is only possible if efficient data exchange, standardized procedures, and staff training are guaranteed. The latter aspect also concerns the food business operator, who must take appropriate measures to minimize the risk.

Leave a comment

Posted in food bourne outbreak, Food Microbiology Research, foodborne outbreak, foodbourne outbreak, outbreak, Research, Salmonella

USA – Campylobacter Outbreak tied to Paradise Grove Dairy Raw Milk

Posted on September 3, 2024 by | Leave a comment

Food Poison Journal

Idaho Public Health officials are investigating recent reports of 18 people who recently experienced symptoms of, and tested positive for, Campylobacter, and who also reported purchasing and drinking unpasteurized (raw) milk from Paradise Grove Dairy. The Idaho Division of Public Health is collaborating with Central District Health (CDH), Eastern Idaho Public Health (EIPH), and Idaho State Department of Agriculture (ISDA) in the ongoing investigation.

Since July 24, 18 people tested positive for campylobacteriosis, a bacterial infection. All 18 reported drinking raw milk, and 17 reported drinking raw milk produced by Paradise Grove Dairy in Jefferson County prior to getting sick. Paradise Grove Dairy distributes milk to numerous stores across southern Idaho. CDH and EIPH are conducting interviews with sick people

Leave a comment

Posted in Campylobacter, food bourne outbreak, food contamination, food handler, Food Hazard, Food Hygiene, Food Inspections, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Testing, Food Pathogen, Food Quality, food recall, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Safety Management, Food Safety Regulations, Food Testing, foodborne outbreak, foodbourne outbreak, outbreak, Raw Milk

USA – Boar’s Head plant linked to deadly outbreak broke food safety rules dozens of times, records show

Posted on September 2, 2024 by | Leave a comment

ABC7 NY

Jarratt, Virginia — A Boar’s Head deli meat plant in Virginia tied to a deadly food poisoning outbreak repeatedly violated federal regulations, including instances of mold, insects, liquid dripping from ceilings, and meat and fat residue on walls, floors and equipment, newly released records show.

Agriculture Department officials logged 69 instances of “noncompliance” with federal rules in the past year, including several in recent weeks, according to documents released through federal Freedom of Information Act requests.

The Jarratt, Virginia, plant has been linked to the deaths of at least nine people and hospitalizations of about 50 others in 18 states. All were sickened with listeria after eating Boar’s Head Provisions Co. Inc. deli meats. The company recalled more than 7 million pounds of products last month after tests confirmed that listeria bacteria in Boar’s Head products were making people sick.

Leave a comment

Posted in food bourne outbreak, foodborne outbreak, foodbourne outbreak, Listeria, Listeria Deli Meats, Listeria monocytogenes, mold, Mould/Mold, outbreak, Visible Mould/Mold

USA – New STEC E. coli outbreak under investigation

Posted on September 2, 2024 by | Leave a comment

FSA

The FDA is investigating a new outbreak of E. coli O157:H7 infections that has sickened 25 people.

The Food and Drug Administration has not reported where the patients live or how old they are. The agency has begun traceback efforts, but is not yet reporting what food or foods are being traced.

E. coli is particularly dangerous and often results in the hospitalization of patients. Some patients develop a type of kidney failure and others develop brain injuries. Death is more likely in patients infected with E. coli O157:H7 than other types of E. coli.

Leave a comment

Posted in E.coli O157, E.coli O157:H7, food bourne outbreak, Food Illness, Foodborne Illness, foodborne outbreak, foodbourne outbreak, Illness, outbreak, STEC, STEC E.coli

USA – CDC – Update – Listeria Outbreak Linked to Meats Sliced at Delis

Posted on September 2, 2024 by | Leave a comment

CDC

Investigation start date: July 19, 2024
Investigation status: Open
Recall issued: Yes

Latest update: More illnesses and deaths have been reported in this outbreak. Listeria is a hardy germ that can remain on surfaces, like meat slicers, and foods, even at refrigerated temperatures. It can also take up to 10 weeks for some people to have symptoms of listeriosis. Do not eat recalled deli meats. Some of the products have sell by dates into October 2024.

Fast Facts

  • Cases: 57 (14 new)
  • Hospitalizations: 57 (14 new)
  • Deaths: 9 (6 new)
  • States: 18 (5 new)

Leave a comment

Posted in CDC, Death, food bourne outbreak, food death, Food Illness, Food Poisoning Illness, Foodborne Illness, Foodborne Illness Death, foodborne outbreak, foodbourne outbreak, Illness, Listeria, Listeria Deli Meats, Listeria monocytogenes, outbreak

USA- FDA – Investigations of Foodborne Illness Outbreaks

Posted on August 27, 2024 by | Leave a comment

FDA

What’s New

  • A new outbreak of Listeria monocytogenes illnesses (ref #1247) linked to a not yet identified product has been added to the table. There are a total of 3 cases, and FDA has initiated traceback.
  • For the outbreak of Cyclospora cayetanensis illnesses (ref #1245) linked to a not yet identified product, the case count has increased from 21 to 35. FDA has initiated an inspection and sampling.
  • For the outbreak of Salmonella Newport (ref #1248) linked to a not yet identified product, the case count has increased from 3 to 4. FDA has initiated an inspection.
  • For the outbreak of Cyclospora cayetanensis (ref #1237), FDA has initiated sampling.
  • For the outbreak of Salmonella Irumu (ref #1235), the outbreak has ended, and FDA’s investigation has closed. CDC, FDA, and state and local partners conducted epidemiologic and traceback investigations and identified mangoes as the source of illnesses in this outbreak. FDA collected and analyzed product samples as part of the investigation, but all samples were reported as negative for Salmonella. Due to the lack of additional supporting evidence, investigators were unable to determine a specific source of contamination while the outbreak was considered ongoing. This outbreak is over. All product is past shelf life and is no longer on the market. There is no ongoing risk to public health.

Leave a comment

Posted in CORE Investigation Table, Cyclospora, Cyclosporiasis, food bourne outbreak, Food Illness, Foodborne Illness, foodborne outbreak, foodbourne outbreak, Illness, Listeria, Listeria monocytogenes, outbreak, Salmonella