Category Archives: STEC E.coli

USA – Annual Reports on Foodborne Illness Source Attribution Estimates

Posted on January 25, 2022 by | Leave a comment

CDC

Foodborne Illness Source Attribution Estimates for Salmonella, Escherichia coli O157, Listeria monocytogenes, and Campylobacter Using Multi-Year Outbreak Surveillance Data, United States.

Latest Report for 2019

IFSAC analyzed data from 1,532 foodborne disease outbreaks that occurred from 1998 through 2019 to assess which categories of foods were most responsible for Salmonella, E. coli O157, Listeria monocytogenes, and Campylobacter infections. These pathogens were chosen because of the frequency or severity of the illnesses they cause, and because targeted interventions can have a major impact in reducing them. The implicated foods were divided into 17 categories for the analysis, and the method gives the greatest weight to the most recent five years of outbreak data (2015–2019).

Read the 2019 report pdf icon[PDF – 14 pages]

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Germany – Camembert de Terroir au lait cru – Bertrand Père & Fils – VTEC/STEC E.coli

Posted on January 24, 2022 by | Leave a comment

LMW

product photo.jpg

Alert type:

Food

Date of first publication:

01/21/2022

Product name: Camembert de Terroir au lait cru – Bertrand Père & Fils
Gillot SAS
Manufacturer (distributor):

Gillot SAS, Saint-Hilaire-de-Briouze, Orne – France

Reason for warning: Detection of verotoxin-producing E. coli bacteria
Packaging Unit: 250g pack
Durability: 01/27/2022
Lot identification: 334513
Further information:

Enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC)

An EHEC (synonyms: STEC, VTEC) disease usually manifests itself within a week after infection with diarrhea and abdominal cramps. Babies, small children, the elderly and people with a weakened immune system in particular can develop more severe illnesses with bloody diarrhea. Rarely, especially in small children, acute kidney failure can occur in a second flare-up a few days after the onset of diarrhea. Anyone who has eaten this food and develops severe or persistent symptoms should seek medical attention and report possible EHEC infection. It makes no sense to seek preventive medical treatment without symptoms.

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Posted in E.coli, food contamination, Food Hazard, Food Hygiene, Food Inspections, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Testing, Food Pathogen, Food Poisoning, food recall, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Testing, Food Toxin, STEC, STEC E.coli, VTEC

USA – Alaska says raw milk consumption a possible fatal risk but may make it legal

Posted on January 21, 2022 by | Leave a comment

Food Safety News

Until now, when it came to raw milk, the state of Alaska was looking out for the public health of its residents. An easy to find fact sheet on the state’s website by the state veterinarian says:

“Raw milk may contain food-borne pathogens. These pathogens may be shed into the milk directly from the animal or enter the milk from the environment. These pathogens present a health threat to consumers of raw milk.”

The Alaska Division of Public Health and the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation publish “Raw Milk Facts” on the state portal. “Raw milk has been recognized as a source of disease for over 100 years,” it says.

It explains the risks this way: “Unpasteurized milk can contain bacteria such as E. coli, Campylobacter, Listeria, and Salmonella. 

“While some people exposed to these bacteria do not develop any symptoms, others may develop short-term nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, fever, and cramps.

“Illnesses can last a week or longer, and some people even develop severe, long-term consequences resulting in kidney failure or paralysis. These infections are particularly serious in very young, very old, or those who have impaired immune systems. 

“They can even be fatal.”

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Posted in Campylobacter, E.coli, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Research, Food Microbiology Testing, Listeria, Listeria monocytogenes, microbial contamination, Microbiological Risk Assessment, Microbiology, Microbiology Investigations, Raw Milk, Salmonella, STEC, STEC E.coli

RASFF Alert – STEC E.coli – Raw Milk Cheese

Posted on January 21, 2022 by | Leave a comment

RASFF

VTEC/STEC in raw milk cheese from France in Germany

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Posted in E.coli, food contamination, Food Hazard, Food Hygiene, Food Inspections, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Testing, Food Pathogen, Food Poisoning, food recall, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Testing, Food Toxin, RASFF, Raw Milk, raw milk cheese, STEC, STEC E.coli, VTEC

USA – Core Outbreak Table Update

Posted on January 20, 2022 by | Leave a comment

FDA

Date
Posted		 Reference
#		 Pathogen
 Product(s)
Linked to
Illnesses
(if any)		 Investigation
Status
1/10/

2022

 1050 E. coli
O121:H19		 Not Yet
Identified		 Active
12/29/

2021

 1052 E. coli
O157:H7		 Packaged Salad Active
12/20/

2021

 1039 Listeria
monocytogenes		 Packaged Salad Active
12/15/

2021

 1048 Listeria
monocytogenes		 Packaged Salad Active
9/15/

2021

 1031 Salmonella
Oranienburg		 Red, Yellow,
and White Onions		 Active

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Posted in E.coli O121, E.coli O157, E.coli O157:H7, FDA, food bourne outbreak, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Testing, foodborne outbreak, foodbourne outbreak, Listeria monocytogenes, microbial contamination, Microbiological Risk Assessment, Microbiology, Microbiology Investigations, outbreak, Salmonella, Salmonella Oranienburg, STEC, STEC E.coli

Research – HUS reports down in Italy but stable in France; some linked to raw milk

Posted on January 17, 2022 by | Leave a comment

Food Safety News

Italy and France have reported updated statistics on a potentially fatal complication of E. coli infection.

The complication, hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) is a type of kidney failure that can result in lifelong, serious health problems and death.

Italian data is from the start of September 2020 to the end of August 2021 when 49 cases were recorded. There were 84 cases from September 2019 to August 2020. French figures cover 2020 when 167 cases were reported.

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Posted in E.coli, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Research, Food Microbiology Testing, Haemolytic Uremic Syndrome, HUS, microbial contamination, Microbiological Risk Assessment, Microbiology, Microbiology Investigations, STEC, STEC E.coli

Research – Consumption of Raw Flour in the United States: Results from the 2019 U.S. Food and Drug Administration Food Safety and Nutrition Survey

Posted on January 15, 2022 by | Leave a comment

Journal of Food Protection

ABSTRACT

Several outbreaks of Shiga toxin–producing Escherichia coli infections in the past decade have been linked to flour and flour-associated products and have raised concerns that the consumption of raw flour represents a public health risk as a vehicle for foodborne pathogens. The extent to which consumers know and understand that they should not consume raw flour is unclear. In fall 2019, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration collected data on perceptions regarding uncooked flour and on self-reported consumption behaviors via the Food Safety and Nutrition Survey, a national probability survey of U.S. adults (≥18 years of age). Cross-tabulations and regressions were used to analyze the data (n = 2,171). Thirty-five percent of consumers reported having tasted or eaten something with uncooked flour in it in the previous 12 months. Responses differed significantly by sex, race, education, and age. On average, respondents indicated that uncooked flour is not likely to contain germs that can make people sick, with significant differences noted by demographic categories. Respondents rated raw homemade cookie dough as moderately likely to have germs that can make people sick, with significant demographic differences. These findings indicate that U.S. consumers are largely unaware that raw flour is risky to consume, and many people are consuming products that contain raw flour.

HIGHLIGHTS
  • About one-third of consumers reported having consumed uncooked flour in the previous year.
  • Large demographic differences were found in reported consumption of uncooked flour.
  • Most U.S. consumers do not consider uncooked flour as risky to consume.

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Posted in Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Research, Food Microbiology Testing, microbial contamination, Microbiology, Microbiology Investigations, Research, STEC, STEC E.coli

RASFF Alert – STEC E.coli O157 – Chilled Beef

Posted on January 14, 2022 by | Leave a comment

RASFF

Shigatoxin-producing Escherichia coli (O157 stx1+ stx2+ eae+ /25g) in chilled beef from Belgium in the Netherlands

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Posted in E.coli O157, E.coli O157:H7, food contamination, Food Hazard, Food Hygiene, Food Inspections, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Testing, Food Pathogen, Food Poisoning, food recall, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Testing, Food Toxin, RASFF, STEC, STEC E.coli

Denmark – Outbreak of diarrhea-causing E. coli O157

Posted on January 13, 2022 by | Leave a comment

SSI

The Statens Serum Institut is currently investigating an outbreak with a diarrhea-causing and toxin-producing E. coli bacterium. It began in December and currently includes 13 people with possible common source of infection.

Since December 3, 13 patients related to an outbreak with the diarrhea-causing and shiga toxin-producing E. coli bacterium (STEC) with the serotype O157: H7 have been identified. Of these, identical bacteria have been found in nine patients by whole genome sequencing at the Statens Serum Institut (SSI).

Three children with acute renal failure

Among the patients are three children who have developed haemolytic uraemic syndrome / acute renal failure (HUS), which may be a serious consequence of infection with STEC.

The sick are four men and nine women between the ages of 2 and 90. They come from all regions in the country, except Region North Jutland. The sick have not been traveling and have not participated in joint events in the time leading up to their illness.

Nine patients have been hospitalized in connection with the infection.

A serious outbreak

“It is a serious outbreak, as this type of toxin-producing E. coli can in some cases cause acute renal failure. We are paying particular attention when three children with acute renal failure were reported here in December. Patients with severe diarrhea, especially bloody diarrhea, should seek medical attention to get a correct diagnosis “, says Epidemiologist Luise Müller from SSI. She continues:

“As we do not yet know the source of this outbreak, the best advice we can give is to remember to fry minced meat and rinse fruit and vegetables thoroughly before eating it. It is also important to separate raw meat from ready-to-eat food, such as salad, which is not heat-treated before eating. ”

Looking for the source of infection

To find out what may have made the patients ill, interviews are conducted with patients or parents of patients to obtain information on food intake, institutional contact, animal contact and other relevant exposures.

The outbreak is being investigated by SSI in collaboration with the Danish Veterinary and Food Administration and the DTU Food Institute.

Read more

Read more about the outbreak on this outbreak site.

Read more about E. coli infection, among others STEC / VTEC.

Read more about Hemolytic uremic syndrome .

Read more about how to avoid STEC in your food on the Danish Veterinary and Food Administration’s website.

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Posted in E.coli O157, E.coli O157:H7, food bourne outbreak, food contamination, Food Hazard, Food Hygiene, Food Illness, Food Inspections, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Research, Food Microbiology Testing, Food Pathogen, Food Poisoning, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Testing, Food Toxin, Foodborne Illness, foodborne outbreak, foodbourne outbreak, Illness, outbreak, STEC, STEC E.coli

USA – Core Outbreak Table Updates

Posted on January 13, 2022 by | Leave a comment

FDA

This week’s updates are:

  • A new outbreak of E. coli O121: H19 with an unidentified vehicle has been added. This outbreak does not appear to be ongoing, as the last illness onset occurred in November 2021. FDA has initiated traceback and other investigational activities in an effort to learn more about possible sources or routes of contamination.
  • The outbreak of Salmonella Javiana linked to 65 illnesses has ended. The information collected over the course of this investigation indicated cut cantaloupe was the likely source of this outbreak, however it appears that the products linked to outbreak illnesses are past shelf life and are no longer available for sale. The most recent illness occurred in November 2021. FDA’s outbreak investigation did not identify a specific product until after the product had expired and was no longer on the market, and there were no actionable steps for consumers to take to protect themselves.
  • For the outbreak of E. coli O157:H7 linked to spinach, the outbreak has ended and the FDA investigation has closed. This incident was archived in the 2021 Investigation Table.
1/10/2022 1050 E. coli
O121:H19		 Not Yet
Identified		 4
12/29/2021 1052 E. coli
O157:H7		 Packaged Salad See Outbreak
Advisory
12/20/2021 1039 Listeria
monocytogenes		 Packaged Salad See Outbreak
Advisory
12/15/2021 1048 Listeria
monocytogenes		 Packaged Salad See Outbreak
Advisory
11/24/2021 1044 Salmonella
Javiana		 Cut Cantaloupe 65
9/15/2021 1031 Salmonella
Oranienburg		 Red, Yellow,
and White Onions		 See Outbreak
Advisory

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Posted in E.coli O121, food bourne outbreak, food contamination, food handler, Food Hazard, Food Hygiene, Food Illness, Food Inspections, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Testing, Food Pathogen, Food Poisoning, food recall, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Testing, Food Toxin, Foodborne Illness, foodborne outbreak, foodbourne outbreak, Illness, Listeria, Listeria monocytogenes, outbreak, Salmonella, Salmonella in Onions, Salmonella Oranienburg, STEC, STEC E.coli