Category Archives: Uncategorized

Ireland – Recall of Andromi Toba de Casa meat product due to the Presence of Salmonella

FSAI

Summary
Category 1: For Action
Alert Notification: 2019.29
Product: Andromi Toba de Casa
Batch Code: Lot 17, variety of weights (~500g) Use By Date: 04/08/2019
Country Of Origin: Romania

Message:

Recall of Andromi Toba de Casa 500g (use by date 04/09/2019) due to the presence of Salmonella. This product is sold in Polonez stores throughout Ireland. Point-of-sale recall notices will be displayed in stores where the products are sold.

Nature Of Danger:

People infected with Salmonella typically develop symptoms between 12 and 36 hours after infection, but this can range between 6 and 72 hours.  The most common symptom is diarrhoea, which can sometimes be bloody.  Other symptoms may include fever, headache and abdominal cramps.  The illness usually lasts 4 to 7 days. Diarrhoea can occasionally be severe enough to require hospital admission. The elderly, infants, and those with impaired immune systems are more likely to have a severe illness. 

Action Required:

Manufacturers, wholesalers, distributors, caterers & retailers:

Businesses that have sold the implicated batch directly to consumers must display a point-of-sale recall notice

Consumers:

Consumers are advised not to eat the implicated batch.  If you have eaten the implicated batch and feel unwell, please contact your physician

Toba de Casa Polonez Salmonella

Netherlands – Disease burden of food-related pathogens in the Netherlands, 2018

RIVM

Disease burden of food-related pathogens in the Netherlands,
2018
The Ministry of VWS has requested RIVM to present an annual update on
the number of illnesses, disease burden and cost-of-illness caused by 14
enteric pathogens. These pathogens can be transmitted by food, the
environment, animals and humans. The disease burden is expressed in
DALYs (Disability Adjusted Life Years), a metric integrating morbidity
and mortality into one unit. Furthermore, the cost-of-illness (COI)
related to the 14 food-related pathogens was estimated and expressed
in euros. The COI estimate includes healthcare costs, the costs for the
patient and / or his family, such as travel expenses, as well as costs in
other sectors, for example due to productivity losses. The total disease
burden caused by the 14 pathogens in 2018 was similar to 2017 (both
11,000 DALYs). The share of foodborne transmission in this estimated
burden was comparable with earlier years, mounting to 4,300 DALYs in
2018 (2017: 4,200 DALYs). The total COI caused by the 14 pathogens
increased slightly from 397 M€ in 2017 to 426 M€ in 2018. The foodrelated COI was 171 M€ in 2018, which is slightly higher than in 2017
(i.e. 163 M€). The differences in DALYs and COI between 2017 and 2018
are largely due to fluctuations in the number of infections that occur per
pathogen, the burden of disease they cause and the varying costs per
infection.
The research presented in this report results in more insight in the
number of incident cases of foodborne diseases and the associated
disease burden and costs-of-illness. It enables researchers and policymakers to monitor trends in time for these 14 pathogens.

Ireland – Listeriosis in Ireland, 2018

HPSC

Key Facts
 Twenty-two listeriosis cases were notified in 2018, the highest number since
the disease became notifiable in 2004
 All cases had recognised risk factors for listeriosis, with largest increase
occurring among the elderly
 No clusters of listeriosis were identified
 No source was confirmed for any individual case
 Referral of isolates for typing at NSSLRL enables detection of clusters and
monitoring of trends in the strains that cause listeriosis in Ireland

Research – Stainless Steel Sinks & Taps Linked to Legionnaires’ Disease

Legionella Control

CDC legionella

Image CDC

Recent research looking at the growth of Legionella bacteria on stainless steel sinks and taps has shown that under certain conditions, the use of this popular metal can increase the health risks associated with the potentially life-threatening Legionnaires’ disease.

Stainless steel sinks are a popular choice in kitchens throughout the UK… however, research has indicated it may not be the wisest choice when considering the associated risks presented by the potentially deadly Legionella bacteria.

The same applies to stainless steel taps – also a popular choice for many understandable reasons.

Ireland – Giardiasis in Ireland, 2018

HPSC

Key Facts
 Reported incidence of giardiasis in Ireland in 2018 is 5.7 per 100,000, similar to the
reported incidence at EU level
 Increase in recent yearsbelieved to be largely due to recent changes in laboratory
practice
 The ratio to male to female cases is 1.4:1
 More than two thirds of cases were reported to be acquired in Ireland, a change to our
historical understanding of giardiasis as a travel-acquired infection
 It is likely there is still under-ascertainment of giardiasis cases in several HSE-areas.
 Much remains to be done in Ireland and across Europe to better understand the
epidemiology and determinants of this disease

 

USA – Another Manhattan Legionnaires Disease Outbreak?

Outbreak News Today

CDC legionella

Image CDC

 

The New York City Health Department is testing the water at Manhattan Plaza, 400 West 43rd Street, after two building residents were diagnosed with Legionnaires’ disease.  According Department of Health Commissioner Barbot, “The New York City Health Department is working with building management to test the water in your building because two tenants have been reported sick with Legionnaires’ disease within the past 12 months.”

People can contract Legionnaires’ disease by breathing in water vapor or aspirating water that has been contaminated with legionella bacteria.

USA – Salmonella Braenderup Infections Associated with the Green Mill Hennepin County– April 2019

Food Poison Journal

On April 19, 2019, the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) Public Health Laboratory (PHL) determined that two clinical Salmonella Braenderup isolates submitted through routine surveillance had indistinguishable pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) patterns (Minnesota designation BR134). Initial interviews with these cases revealed that both had eaten food from the Green Mill in Bloomington in the week before their illness onset. City of Bloomington Environmental Health Division (CBEH) was notified, and an investigation was initiated.

USA – Red Robin in Westminster Colorado link in E. coli O157 Outbreak

Food Poison Journal

Three individuals, including one adult and two children, tested positive for the bacteria E. coli O157:H7 with all persons having reported eating at the Red Robin restaurant located at 799 W. 146th Ave in Westminster, Colorado. Tri-County Health Department inspected the restaurant on July 9, 2019, after receiving information about the outbreak from the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment. Two of the three individuals infected were hospitalized, and the investigation is ongoing.

USA – San Diego County Fair E. coli Outbreak Has Now Sickened 10

Food Poisoning Bulletin

The E. coli outbreak at the San Diego County Fair has now sickened 10 people, according to the San Diego Health & Human Services Agency. There is one more probable case that has not yet been confirmed. Three people have been hospitalized, and one 2-year-old child has died.

Officials have still not found the source of the pathogen. All of the children who are sick visited the animal areas, petting zoo, or had other animal contact at the fair. County Environmental health re-inspected food facilities that were visited by the children and found no link to the cases.

Unfortunately, E. coli outbreaks linked to animal attractions at fairs, petting zoos, and farm tourist attractions are nothing new. Almost every year children are sickened after visiting these venues

USA – Roadhouse 100 Restaurant linked to Hepatitis A problem

Food Poison Journal

According to press reports an employee who handles food at the Roadhouse 100 restaurant on Missouri Highway 100 in the unincorporated community of Gray Summit was diagnosed with hepatitis A, officials with the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services said Tuesday. Anyone who ate at Roadhouse 100 between June 23 and July 5 is advised to receive the hepatitis A vaccination within 14 days to prevent illness.

The incident is being investigated by the Franklin County Health Department.