Category Archives: Uncategorized

Research – Reports highlight Klebsiella superbug, other CRE concerns

Posted on June 12, 2018 by | Leave a comment

CIDRAP 

 

Two teams of scientists at the annual meeting of the American Society for Microbiology (ASM) are reporting worrisome findings involving multidrug-resistant bacteria in healthcare settings.

In one study, a team led by researchers from Emory Antibiotic Resistance Center reported the first isolation of hypervirulent, multidrug-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae in the United States. In another, researchers with the Kentucky Department for Public Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) found that a small outbreak of carbapenem-resistant infections at a Kentucky hospital in 2017 were caused by different strains and species of bacteria that carried the same drug-resistance plasmids.

Both studies highlight concerns about carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteria (CRE), which cause more than 9,000 healthcare-associated infections each year and have been dubbed “nightmare” bacteria for their resistance to several classes of antibiotics and their ability to spread quickly in healthcare settings. CRE infections, including bloodstream, wound, and urinary tract infections, are exceedingly difficult to treat and have a mortality rate of nearly 50%.

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Posted in Antibiotic Resistance, Klebsiella, Uncategorized

USA – How do Melons get Contaminated with Salmonella?

Posted on June 12, 2018 by | Leave a comment

Food Poisoning Bulletin catalopue

Foodborne illness from fresh fruit is caused by bacterial pathogens. They originate in the guts of animals and humans and are passed into the environment in fecal material. The pathogens, which are too small to see with the naked eye, land on the surface of fruit items in a variety of ways:

  • On the hands of pickers and handlers
  • In irrigation, run-off, and wash water
  • By direct contact with animals, insects and birds
  • Contact with soil harboring microorganisms
  • By cross contamination in harvesting, handling, processing, storage facilities and transport.

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Posted in food contamination, Salmonella, Uncategorized

UK- Scotland – Red alert over rare meat as survey reveals more Scots are falling victim to food poisoning

Posted on June 12, 2018 by | Leave a comment

Sunday Post beefrsir

A TASTE for pink meat could be responsible for record food poisoning figures, safety campaigners fear.

More than two-fifths of people reported having suffered severe stomach upsets after eating under-cooked food – a new high.

The fifth biannual Food in Scotland Consumer Tracking Survey reveals the growing popularity for pinker meat may be putting diners at risk of campylobacter and salmonella poisoning.

The alarming statistics come as more people than ever enjoy a barbecue in Scotland’s good weather.

There has been a rise in the number washing raw meat, which they shouldn’t, and a drop in the number washing utensils during preparation, which they should.

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Posted in Food Hygiene, Food Illness, Food Inspections, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Poisoning, Food Safety, Food Testing, Foodborne Illness, Uncategorized

Research – Multi-drug-resistant (MDR), colistin-resistant E. coli bacteria pervasive in Vietnam village

Posted on June 11, 2018 by | Leave a comment

Outbreak News Today Ecoli Istock

A new study has found that the majority of residents in a rural village of Vietnam harbored multi-drug-resistant (MDR), colistin-resistant E. coli bacteria. Colistin is typically used as a last-resort treatment when there are no other therapy options available. The research is presented at ASM Microbe, the annual meeting of the American Society for Microbiology, held from June 7th to June 11th in Atlanta, GA.

“These results revealed the dissemination of MDR colistin-resistant E. coli, harboring the colistin-resistant mobile gene mcr among commensal bacteria of residents, in a rural community in Vietnam,” said Yoshimasa Yamamoto, Ph.D., Osaka University, Osaka, Japan, presenting author on the study.

The colistin-resistant bacteria were detected in 71.4% of the residents in Nguyen Xa village in Vietnam. All the colistin-resistant isolates were identified as E. coli.

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Posted in Antibiotic Resistance, Colistin Resistant, E.coli, Research, Uncategorized

Information – FSA – Hepatitis E – Fact Sheet

Posted on June 11, 2018 by | Leave a comment

FSA Virusds

Hepatitis E is an infection caused by the hepatitis E virus (also known as HEV). Both humans and animals can be infected by HEV.

For most people, the symptoms of hepatitis E are mild and clear up within four weeks, but in rare cases the disease can be fatal.

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Posted in Hepatitis E, Uncategorized

Hong Kong – Packed milk drink sample found to contain excessive Bacillus cereus

Posted on June 11, 2018 by | Leave a comment

CFS 

Issue Date 8.6.2018
Source of Information Centre for Food Safety
Food Product Skimmed Hi-Calcium Milk Drink
Product Name and Description Product name: Skimmed Hi-Calcium Milk Drink

Manufacturer: Nestlé Hong Kong Limited

Volume: 236 millilitre per pack

Use-by date: June 2, 2018
Reason For Issuing Alert
  • The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) collected the concerned sample from a supermarket in Kwun Tong for testing under its routine Food Surveillance Programme. The test result showed that the sample contained Bacillus cereus at a level of 4 600 000 per gram. Under the Microbiological Guidelines for Food, if ready-to-eat food contains Bacillus cereus at a level of more than 100 000 per gram, it is considered unsatisfactory.
Action Taken by the Centre for Food Safety
  • The CFS had informed the manufacturer and the vendor concerned of the test result. Investigation was conducted at the production plant and the supermarket concerned and follow-up samples were collected for further testing. Investigation is ongoing.
  • The CFS had also provided health education on food safety and hygiene for the staff of the production plant and the supermarket and requested them to carry out thorough cleaning and disinfection.
  • The CFS will alert the trade, continue to follow up on the incident and take appropriate action in order to safeguard public health and food safety.
Advice to the Trade
  • According to Section 54 of the Public Health and Municipal Services Ordinance (Cap 132), all food available for sale in Hong Kong, locally produced or imported, should be fit for human consumption. An offender is subject to a maximum fine of $50,000 and imprisonment for six months upon conviction.
Advice to Consumers
  • Bacillus cereus is commonly found in the environment. Unhygienic conditions in food processing and storage may give rise to its growth. Consuming food contaminated with excessive Bacillus cereus may cause gastrointestinal upset such as vomiting and diarrhoea.
Further Information The CFS press release

 

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Posted in Bacillus, Bacillus cereus, Food Hygiene, Food Inspections, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, food recall, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Testing, Uncategorized

USA – Gorilla deaths at Milwaukee zoo linked to E.coli

Posted on June 11, 2018 by | Leave a comment

Channel 3000

MILWAUKEE – The Milwaukee County Zoo says the deaths of two lowland gorillas have been linked to gastrointestinal infections likely caused by E.coli in their water supply.

The zoo Thursday released results of necropsies of the 31-year-old male gorilla Cassius who died April 12 and 17-year-old female Naku, who died April 28.

The Milwaukee zoo says the water systems in both the gorilla and bonobo areas have been disinfected. Staff are also using new protocols to disinfect produce, which can be another source of E.coli.

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Posted in Uncategorized

Canada- Salmonella outbreak shuts down Stoney Creek Mexican restaurant

Posted on June 11, 2018 by | Leave a comment

Technostalls

Stoney Creek restaurant which boasts on social Websites that it is house to “Hamilton’s best tacos” was shut while health officials explore a salmonella outbreak that left many people ill.

Ole Gourmet on Regional Road 8 had been closed on May 17 following four individuals came back with salmonella from meals prepared there.

The Restaurant was started the next day following a re-inspection that revealed it had been compliant with all Ontario’s Food Premises regulation, according to a press release from town officials.

Some folks may become really seriously sick. Said Dr. Ninh Tran, Hamilton Public Health Services.

However, On May 22 the other individual became ill of Salmonella and analyzing of 10 food samples shown three which were positive for contamination.

The restaurant has been shut on May 25.

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Posted in Food Hygiene, Food Illness, Food Inspections, Food Microbiology, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, foodborne outbreak, foodbourne outbreak, outbreak, Salmonella, Uncategorized

Research – Tea towels ‘can cause food poisoning’, new research suggests

Posted on June 11, 2018 by | Leave a comment

The Independant

Repeated use of tea towels in the kitchen could be putting families at risk of food poisoning, according to new research.

Bacterial build-up was measured on 100 towels over the course of a month during an experiment by scientists at the University of Mauritius.

Researchers found bacteria growth on 49 towels, with more than a third testing positive for coliforms, the group of species of which E.coli is a member.

The study found E.coli was more likely to develop on towels that had been left to sit damp, while coliforms and Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) bacteria were detected at significantly higher rates in households with non-vegetarian diets.

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Posted in Coliforms, E.coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Uncategorized

Poland – Salmonella on Green Caffe Nero. How many people have been poisoned with a cake in a cafe?

Posted on June 11, 2018 by | Leave a comment

VAAJU 

As evidenced by recent reports, Green Caffe Nero clients in Warsaw, Krakow and Wrocław have asked about the “Green Mosque” cake. Some of them are in hospital. Among the victims of salmonella raging in the famous coffee bar are children.

According to Warsaw’s “Metro”, 52 cases were reported in total. As many as 21 people required hospitalization, including three children. In total there are 6 children among the victims. Sanepid not only inspected Warsaw’s premises Green Caffe Nero but also cafes in Wrocław and Kraków . There were also infected cakes. Krakow inspection confirmed that she had four people suffering from salmonella after eating the “green moss” dough. At least one of the sick people was poisoned in Wrocław.

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Posted in Food Hygiene, Food Illness, Food Inspections, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, food recall, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Testing, Foodborne Illness, Salmonella, Uncategorized