Institute of Food Research 
A study from the Institute of Food Research has provided new evidence on the background levels of spores of Clostridium botulinum in raw food ingredients that is helping the food industry deliver safe chilled foods more sustainably.
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FoodNet Canada tracks illnesses of the gut, commonly known as food poisoning, in Canadians, and traces them back to their sources, such as food, water and animals. These data are analyzed to help determine which sources are causing the most illness among Canadians and help us track illnesses and their causes over time.
In the 2014 surveillance year, FoodNet Canada was active in three sites (partially or throughout the entire year) in Ontario, British Columbia and Alberta. In each location, or “sentinel site,” enhanced human disease surveillance is performed in parallel with active surveillance for specific bacteria, viruses and parasites in the possible sources to which the ill may have been exposed.
The purpose of this report is to present the preliminary findings from the 2014 surveillance year in the sentinel sites. This report will be followed by a comprehensive annual report which will include more extensive analyses of temporal trends and subtyping information for an integrated perspective on enteric disease from exposure to illness.
With the expansion to three sites in 2014, FoodNet Canada is able to provide more valuable information on enteric disease in Canada. This information on enteric disease continues to be essential to the development of robust food and water safety policies in Canada.
To obtain a copy of the full report, please contact: phac-FoodNet.Canada-aspc@phac-aspc.gc.ca
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From 1990 to 2004, the reported rates of diarrheal disease (three or more loose stools or a greater than normal frequency in a 24-hour period) on cruise ships decreased 2.4%, from 29.2 cases per 100,000 travel days to 28.5 cases (1,2). Increased rates of acute gastroenteritis illness (diarrhea or vomiting that is associated with loose stools, bloody stools, abdominal cramps, headache, muscle aches, or fever) occurred in years that novel strains of norovirus, the most common etiologic agent in cruise ship outbreaks, emerged (3). To determine recent rates of acute gastroenteritis on cruise ships, CDC analyzed combined data for the period 2008–2014 that were submitted by cruise ships sailing in U.S. jurisdiction (defined as passenger vessels carrying ≥13 passengers and within 15 days of arriving in the United States) (4). CDC also reviewed laboratory data to ascertain the causes of acute gastroenteritis outbreaks and examined trends over time. During the study period, the rates of acute gastroenteritis per 100,000 travel days decreased among passengers from 27.2 cases in 2008 to 22.3 in 2014. Rates for crew members remained essentially unchanged (21.3 cases in 2008 and 21.6 in 2014). However, the rate of acute gastroenteritis was significantly higher in 2012 than in 2011 or 2013 for both passengers and crew members, likely related to the emergence of a novel strain of norovirus, GII.4 Sydney (5). During 2008–2014, a total of 133 cruise ship acute gastroenteritis outbreaks were reported, 95 (71%) of which had specimens available for testing. Among these, 92 (97%) were caused by norovirus, and among 80 norovirus specimens for which a genotype was identified, 59 (73.8%) were GII.4 strains. Cruise ship travelers experiencing diarrhea or vomiting should report to the ship medical center promptly so that symptoms can be assessed, proper treatment provided, and control measures implemented.
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Presence of antibiotic-resistant Salmonella strains on raw carrots was evaluated, as was the antibacterial activity of roselle calyx extracts against any identified resistant Salmonella strains. One hundred samples of carrots were collected from markets in Pachuca, Mexico. Salmonella was isolated from the carrot samples by culture procedure. Susceptibilities to sixteen antibiotics were determined for the isolated Salmonella strains by standard test. Antibacterial activity versus the isolated strains was measured for roselle extracts produced with water, methanol, acetone and ethyl acetate. Finally, the antibacterial effect of roselle extracts, sodium hypochlorite, acetic acid and colloidal silver against Salmonella strains isolated from carrots was evaluated on contaminated carrots. Thirteen Salmonella strains were isolated from 11% of the carrot samples. All strains exhibited resistance to at least two of the tested antibiotics. Roselle extracts caused a greater reduction in concentration of Salmonella than the sodium hypochlorite, acetic acid and colloidal silver on contaminated carrots.
Roselle Hibiscus sabdariffa calyx extracts exhibited antimicrobial activity on culture media and on carrots against multidrug-resistant Salmonella strains. The information presented shows that water extract of roselle calyx may be a potentially useful addition to disinfection procedures of raw carrots in field, carrot processor plants, restaurants and home.
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This study investigated the biofilm formation and gene expression of Staphylococcus aureus depending on growth phase under various environments. Compared to control conditions, biofilm formation of S. aureus D8, D29 and C52 strains was significantly different in the presence of dextrose, NaCl or both dextrose and NaCl. The expression of icaA, icaD, agrD, sigB and sar genes was observed in all S. aureus. However, there was no obvious correlation of gene expression with either the growth phases of S. aureus or the additional compounds of the medium. When biofilm of S. aureus was produced in TSB alone or TSB supplemented with dextrose, NaCl or ethanol on stainless steel coupons, the survival of D8, D29 and C52 strains of S. aureus was higher than that of S. aureus ATCC 12600. These results provide new insights into the biofilm-forming ability, gene expression and survival of S. aureus grown under various environmental conditions.
Biofilm-forming ability of S. aureus was strongly dependent on environmental factors. And resistance of S. aureus biofilms on the surface of stainless steel was different depending on bacteria origin and environmental conditions. This study contributes to our understanding of the mechanism of biofilm formation in S. aureus under various environmental conditions.
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Listeria monocytogenes is an important foodborne pathogen which causes listeriosis in humans and animals. Presence of Listeria spp. and L. monocytogenes in raw bovine milk could lead to the manufacture of contaminated products due to lack or insufficient pasteurization or cross-contamination. The purpose of this study was to record the prevalence of Listeria spp. and L. monocytogenes in all the Cypriot dairy farms, using bulk tank milk (BTM) samples. A total of 205 raw BTM samples were analyzed for Listeria spp. and L. monocytogenes. In addition a total viable count (TVC) was also performed in parallel in an attempt to correlate high TVC with the presence of Listeria. Results revealed a total of three samples (1.46%; 95% CI: 0.3–4.4%) positive for Listeria spp. two (0.98%; 95% CI: 0.04–3.72%), of which were successfully identified as L. monocytogenes. Molecular serotyping indicated that the two isolates were both 1/2a. This is the first report in Cyprus documenting the prevalence of Listeria spp. and L. monocytogenes in the raw BTM of all Cypriot dairy farms revealing a low prevalence in a reported asymptomatic population. Monitoring the prevalence is essential in an attempt to protect animal health and welfare as well as human health by reducing the risk of listeriosis through consumption of milk and dairy products.
There is an increasing need to better understand the prevalence of Listeria monocytogenes in the environment and food, given the rise of listeriosis in Europe, as reported by EFSA. Raw milk is an important exposure vehicle to humans either directly, through the consumption of unpasteurized products, or as a result of cross-contamination in food establishments. Previous detection studies have been published in Europe and throughout the world but never before a full prevalence study which records the results in bulk tank milk (BTM) following the sampling from all dairy herds in a country. In addition, this is the first report in Cyprus documenting the prevalence of L. monocytogenes in raw BTM, revealing a low prevalence in a reported asymptomatic population of cattle. Furthermore, the predominant serotypes are identified, providing useful epidemiological information for future studies in Cyprus and throughout the world.
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A BRIDE and groom’s wedding celebrations turned into “a nightmare” after around 20 guests were later struck down by the winter vomiting bug.
The Dundee couple were also affected by the outbreak of norovirus, with people advising the couple of their situation after the occasion.
Heather Albin and Steven Campbell, who were married at the Westpark Conference Centre, in Perth Road, described the aftermath of the event as a “nightmare”.
Bride Heather said: “We had an amazing day but a couple of days later we were hearing that many of our guests had been hit by acute sickness and diarrhoea.”
She said that she and her new groom had also been unwell, adding: “I got it first, followed by Steve.
“At the beginning of January, around 20 of our guests had been in touch to say they and their families were feeling terrible — it’s been a nightmare.
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Some 80 people were sickened with the classic symptoms of norovirus–vomiting, nausea, diarrhea over the weekend after an event, in which hundreds of dancers, parents and coaches convened for the three-day 24-Seven Dance event in Rochester, NY.
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Snacks bought from the cafeteria downed over 100 students and a teacher at the Pio del Pilar Elementary School in Makati City on Thursday, according to the city health department. In an interview on GMA News TV’s “QRT,” city health department chief Dr. Bernard Sese said the children ate biscuits, wafers and other snacks from their school cafeteria during their morning recess at 9:30 a.m. Seven students complained of stomach aches, vomiting, and nausea by 10:30 a.m. at the school clinic and were followed shortly by a slew of others, he said. About 44 victims were rushed to the Ospital ng Makati, where they received oral dehydration solutions. Two remained hooked to IV bags at the hospital due to intense vomiting as of Thursday afternoon. All in all, 127 students had received treatment, the report said. –
PhilStarGlobal
MANILA, Philippines – At least 134 students of the Pio del Pilar Elementary School were hospitalized on Thursday for suspected food poisoning.
Makati City spokesman Gilberto delos Reyes said 44 students were taken to the Ospital ng Makati (OsMak) while 90 others were rushed to the Palanan Health Center. The victims belonged to the Grade 4, Grade 5 and Grade 6 classes.
Initial reports said the students were rushed to the two hospitals after bouts of vomiting and after complaining of abdominal pains.
Delos Reyes said the incident happened at around 9:30 a.m. after the students bought food at the school canteen during recess period. The school is located along Arnaiz St. in Barangay Pio del Pilar.
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The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) is alerting Metro-area customers to avoid eating dried uneviscerated fish after the MDA and the City of Brooklyn Park discovered the product was being sold at three grocery stores. These fish products can result in potentially deadly botulism poisoning if the internal organs are not completely removed. There are no reports of illness associated with this product.
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