Category Archives: STEC E.coli

Research – Majority of foodborne infections rose in 2022 in the Netherlands

Food Safety News

Most foodborne infections increased in the Netherlands in 2022 compared to the year before, according to the latest figures.

The most notable outbreak was when 72 people contracted typhoid fever on a ship that housed asylum seekers. It was likely that they were infected by Salmonella Typhi through the ship’s drinking water supply, which was old and located near sewage pipes. There was also a shigellosis outbreak related to travel to Cape Verde that continued into 2023.

Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) infections saw a sharp rise, with levels in 2022 the highest since 2016. The cause for this increase is unclear, according to the report published by the National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM).

The number of people sick due to Salmonella or Campylobacter increased this past year, though it did not reach pre-pandemic levels. However, the number of people affected by norovirus did reach 2020 levels. Listeria infections also rose above pre-pandemic levels.

Canada – Fueling Brains E. coli Outbreak jumps to 264 Sickened

Food Poison Journal

Alberta Health Services (AHS) has now reported that the Fueling Brains Day Care E. coli outbreak includes 264 lab-confirmed cases. On Tuesday, an AHS spokesperson confirmed 33 more cases had been linked to the outbreak in the past day.

The provincial health authority said there are now 25 patients in hospital.

Since the outbreak was declared at the start of last week, 12 patients have been discharged from hospital.

21 children have been diagnosed with hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). Six of those are presently receiving dialysis.

Burgers suspected as source of E. coli outbreak in Norway – O26:H11

Food Safety News

Norwegian officials have named the suspected source of an E. coli outbreak that affected 15 people.

The Norwegian Institute of Public Health (FHI) said the same type of E. coli O26:H11 had been detected in all those infected.

Two hamburger products that are the likely source of the ongoing outbreak have been recalled.

In August, it was reported that six people across the country were sick.

Canada- Patient count exceeds 225 in E. coli O157 outbreak linked to daycare centers

Food Safety News

The patient count in an E. coli outbreak linked to daycare centers in Calgary, Canada, now stands at 231.

Alberta Health Services officials say 26 of the sick are currently hospitalized, 25 of them children and one adult. Eleven other children have already been discharged from hospitals. Twenty-one children have hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) which is a type of kidney failure that also affects other organs.

A specific food has not been identified as the source of the E. coli O157:H7, but investigators have collected samples of leftovers and frozen food for testing. Eleven daycare centers that share a common kitchen were closed.

The central kitchen that serves the 11 daycare centers remains closed.

Four daycare centers were given permission to reopen Monday. The four centers did not have any illnesses linked to the outbreak. The remaining seven will be allowed to reopen Tuesday. Staff and daycare attendees from those seven centers must test negative before returning to any daycare center, according to Alberta Health Services.

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith has asked the provincial health minister and the provincial minister for children and family services to investigate the outbreak and provide a full assessment of the situation.

USA – An E. coli Tragedy – 190 sick, 34 in hospital and 20 with hemolytic uremic syndrome

Food Poison Journal

According to CTV News, the number of lab-confirmed cases of E. coli climbed again Sunday, rising to 190, stemming from a shared kitchen that 11 Calgary Fueling Brains daycares use but four daycares have reported no E. coli cases at all.

An Alberta Health Services (AHS) spokesperson sent updated figures to CTV News, showing that there are currently 27 patients receiving care in hospital. Seven others have been discharged since the beginning of the outbreak.

The number of patients confirmed to have severe hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) rose to 20 from 19 on Saturday.

“Based on the epidemiology of the cases we’ve seen to date, it is highly likely the source of this outbreak is food that was distributed from the central kitchen,” AHS said. “At this point, AHS has not been able to identify a food item that was the source. We continue to investigate.”

France – Cheese – Stools on Dear Farmer – STEC E.coli O103

Gov france

  • Product category Food
  • Product subcategory Milk and dairy products
  • Product brand name Hardy refiner – La Mère Richard
  • Model names or references Saddles on Cher Farmer AOP
  • Identification of products
    Batch Date
    59-216 Date of minimum durability 09/27/2023
  • Packaging bare or blister product
  • Marketing start/end date Since 08/21/2023
  • Storage temperature Product to be stored in the refrigerator
  • Health mark EN 41.043.003 CE
  • Geographical sales area Whole France
  • Distributors EDOUARD CO TEAM WEST

Norway – Raw Hamburger Classic frozen 800 g and Big Beef Burger 2 x 180 g are withdrawn from the market due to suspicion of E.coli (EHEC)

Matportalen

The products are sold in REMA 1000 stores throughout the country.

Consumers who may have products lying around at home are asked to throw the product away or return it to the store where it was purchased for a refund.

Good kitchen hygiene and correct heat treatment will prevent you from getting sick from eating the products in question. Consumers who think they have become ill after eating the products are asked to contact a doctor for advice and follow-up.

Contact persons:

Contact person Nordfjord Kjøtt AS:
Randi Støyva, e-mail: randis@nordfjord-as.no, mobile 40 55 17 81

Contact person for the Norwegian Food Safety Authority:
Head of Department Bente Sande, Nordfjord Department. E-mail: bente.sande@mattilsynet.no, mobile 91 52 42 85

Research – Reoccurring Escherichia coli O157:H7 Strain Linked to Leafy Greens–Associated Outbreaks, 2016–2019

CDC

Abstract

Genomic characterization of an Escherichia coli O157:H7 strain linked to leafy greens–associated outbreaks dates its emergence to late 2015. One clade has notable accessory genomic content and a previously described mutation putatively associated with increased arsenic tolerance. This strain is a reoccurring, emerging, or persistent strain causing illness over an extended period.

USA – Nine raw milk illnesses linked to Hillman, MN farm – Cryptosporidium – STEC E.coli O111:H8

Food Safety News

State health officials have linked eight cases of cryptosporidiosis and one case of E. coli O111:H8 illness to raw milk from a farm in Hillman, MN.

The Minnesota Department of Health urges anyone who recently purchased milk from Healthy Harvest Farm and Kitchen to discard the product and not consume it. The milk may be labeled natural A2 milk, and consumers may be unaware that the milk has not been pasteurized.

The illnesses have been caused by Cryptosporidium parvum, a parasite commonly found in cattle. The cases have related subtypes of Cryptosporidium parvum, suggesting a common source.

France – Cheese – DUO – STEC E.coli O26/O103

Gov france

  • Product category Food
  • Product subcategory Milk and dairy products
  • Product brand name GORS CHEESE FOOD
  • Model names or references the EOM199 duo
  • Product identification
    Batch Date
    EOM199 Use-by date 09/18/2023
  • Packaging BOX OF 6
  • Start/end date of marketing From 07/24/2023 to 08/09/2023
  • Storage temperature Product to keep in the refrigerator
  • Health mark FR 79 174004 CE
  • Geographical sales area Whole France
  • Distributors fromi (D-77694 Germany), Anthony cheese factory (68480 Vieux Ferrette), Intermarche (79500 Saint Leger de la Martiniere), Terroir d’Avenir (75002 Paris), affineur du Pays Nantais (44210 Pornic), Delon Lagache (94587 Rungis)