Category Archives: Virus Vaccination

Research – Norovirus Vaccines: Current Clinical Development and Challenges

Posted on December 20, 2021 by | Leave a comment

MDPI

Noroviruses are the major viral pathogens causing epidemic and endemic acute gastroenteritis with significant morbidity and mortality. While vaccines against norovirus diseases have been shown to be of high significance, the development of a broadly effective norovirus vaccine remains difficult, owing to the wide genetic and antigenic diversity of noroviruses with multiple co-circulated variants of various genotypes. In addition, the absence of a robust cell culture system, an efficient animal model, and reliable immune markers of norovirus protection for vaccine evaluation further hinders the developmental process. Among the vaccine candidates that are currently under clinical studies, recombinant VP1-based virus-like particles (VLPs) that mimic major antigenic features of noroviruses are the common ones, with proven safety, immunogenicity, and protective efficacy, supporting a high success likelihood of a useful norovirus vaccine. This short article reviews the recent progress in norovirus vaccine development, focusing on those from recent clinical studies, as well as summarizes the barriers that are being encountered in this developmental process and discusses issues of future perspective. View Full-Text

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Posted in Decontamination Microbial, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Research, Food Microbiology Testing, Food Virus, microbial contamination, Microbiological Risk Assessment, Microbiology, Microbiology Investigations, Norovirus, Research, Virus, Virus Vaccination

USA – Alabama Huddle House linked to Hepatitis A positive food service worker

Posted on July 26, 2021 by | Leave a comment

Food Poison Journal

The Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH), in cooperation with Huddle House in Hamilton, is investigating a food handler who is infected with hepatitis A virus. As a preventative measure, ADPH is suggesting customers who consumed food, whether dine-in, pickup, or delivery between the dates of July 9 through July 21, 2021, be identified. These patrons may need the hepatitis A vaccine or immune globulin to reduce their chance of illness.

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Posted in food contamination, food handler, Food Hazard, Food Hygiene, Food Inspections, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Testing, Food Pathogen, food recall, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Testing, Food Virus, Hepatitis A, Virus, Virus Vaccination

USA – Bangor Texas Roadhouse linked to Hepatitis A scare

Posted on November 4, 2020 by | Leave a comment

Food Poison Journal

The Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention (Maine CDC) has identified a case of acute hepatitis A virus infection in a Bangor, Maine, food service worker. The case handled food while infectious on October 16-18, 20, 22-25, 27 and 29.

Epidemiological assessment of the employee’s illness determined that restaurant patrons may be at risk for hepatitis A infection. Maine CDC is recommending that anyone who may have eaten food prepared at or who worked at the Texas Roadhouse in Bangor on the dates listed above between October 20th through October 29th receive hepatitis A vaccine within 14 days of their last exposure as there is a 14-day window during which prophylaxis is effective.

This recommendation includes anyone who may have had dine-in, take-out, delivery, or curbside pickup of food from the restaurant. Anyone who visited the restaurant from October 16th through October 19th, 2020, is outside the window for which prophylaxis is recommended, but is advised to watch for symptoms and seek medical attention should they develop symptoms.

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Posted in food handler, Food Hygiene, Food Inspections, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Testing, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Testing, Food Virus, Foodborne Illness, Hepatitis A, Virus, Virus Vaccination

USA – Hepatitis A Exposure at The New White Steamer in Indiana

Posted on May 27, 2020 by | Leave a comment

Food Poisoning Bulletin

Anyone who dined at The New White Steamer at 21 East Main Street in Washington, Indiana from May 12 to May 15, 2020 may have been exposed to hepatitis A, according to a release by the Daviess County Health Department. The press release did not have many details, and did not say whether or not a food handler was sick or if there was any other source of the exposure.

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Posted in food contamination, food handler, Food Hygiene, Food Inspections, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Testing, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Testing, Food Virus, Hepatitis A, Uncategorized, Virus, Virus Vaccination

USA – Taco Bell Hepatitis A Exposure in Chilhowie, Virginia

Posted on May 10, 2020 by | Leave a comment

Food Poisoning Bulletin

Dr. Karen Shelton, director of the health district said in a statement, “Individuals who ate food from Taco Bell in Chilhowie during that time and who have not been previously vaccinated for hepatitis A or have not previously had the disease are recommended to receive the hepatitis A vaccine. This may help prevent, or lessen the severity of, illness. The vaccine works best if given within 2 weeks of exposure and may not prevent infection with Hepatitis A for all, but it can help protect many who have been exposed.”

According to the Health Department, the Taco Bell has been cooperating with this investigation and has been compliant with safe food handling practices. The restaurant was sanitized and all employees have been offered hepatitis A vaccinations.

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Posted in food contamination, food handler, Food Hygiene, Food Illness, Food Inspections, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Testing, Food Pathogen, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Virus, Hepatitis A, Uncategorized, Virus, Virus Vaccination

USA – Señor Moose restaurant in Seattle is again open after Hepatitis A scare

Posted on April 24, 2020 by | Leave a comment

Food Safety News

Since April 15, Public Health for Seattle and King County, WA, has learned of three people from three separate meal parties becoming ill with jaundice, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, fever, and fatigue after consuming food from the Señor Moose restaurant between Feb. 24 and 26.

There is no indication that any current employees of the restaurant have had illnesses consistent with hepatitis A symptoms. Public Health is also contacting former employees to find out if any of them have been ill.

The restaurant, at 5242 Leary Ave. NW, in Seattle, has a current food safety rating of “Good.”

This outbreak, which involves the hospitalization of one person, is occurring while the Seattle-King County area is experiencing an outbreak of hepatitis A, mostly among the homeless. Washington State last July declared a statewide hepatitis A outbreak among people who are homeless or using drugs.

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Posted in food contamination, food handler, Food Hygiene, Food Illness, Food Inspections, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Testing, Food Pathogen, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Virus, Hepatitis A, Uncategorized, Virus, Virus Vaccination

USA -Hepatitis A Exposure at Old Mill Tavern in Homosassa, FL

Posted on February 11, 2020 by | Leave a comment

Food Poisoning Bulletin

A food service worker at Old Mill Tavern in Homosassa, Florida has been diagnosed with hepatitis A, according to the Florida Department of Health in Citrus County (DOH-Citrus). That person worked at that restaurant, located at 10465 West Yulee Drive in Homosassa, from January 19 through February 3, 2020.

It’s too late for anyone who ate at the Old Mill Tavern before January 27, 2020 to get vaccinated against the virus, since the vaccines are effective if given within two weeks of exposure. Those people should contact their doctors, and watch for the symptoms of hepatitis A.

A hepatitis A or immune globulin vaccination is recommended for anyone who ate or drank at this restaurant between January 28 through February 3, 2020. If you have had the vaccine or have had a hepatitis A infection in the past your are considered immune and do not have to take action.

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Posted in food contamination, food handler, Food Hygiene, Food Inspections, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Testing, Food Pathogen, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Virus, Hepatitis A, Uncategorized, Virus, Virus Vaccination

Research -How Do You Know If You Have a Hepatitis A Infection?

Posted on February 10, 2020 by | Leave a comment

Food Poisoning Bulletin

Hepatitis A is a very contagious virus that can cause serious illness and death. In recent years, a huge hepatitis A outbreak in the United States has been ongoing since 2016. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than 30,000 people have. even sickened, almost 19,000 patients have been hospitalized, and more than 300 people have died. How do you know if you have a hepatitis A infection?

Hepatitis A can spread in food establishments through infected food handlers.

Click to access ABCTable.pdf

Link to CDC Information

Click to access ABCTable.pdf

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Posted in food contamination, food handler, Food Hygiene, Food Inspections, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Testing, Food Safety, Food Testing, Food Virus, Hepatitis A, Uncategorized, Virus, Virus Vaccination

USA – Vicksburg restaurant worker exposes customers to Hepatitis A

Posted on February 3, 2020 by | Leave a comment

Food Safety News

The Mississippi State Department of Health (MSDH) is investigating a case of hepatitis A in a Warren County restaurant employee that may have led to exposure for customers.  MSDH has set up free hepatitis A vaccinations today and tomorrow  for those who might have been exposed to the virus

An employee of the Gumbo Pot, 3401 Halls Ferry Road #5 in Vicksburg, has been diagnosed with a hepatitis A infection. While infectious, the employee worked at the restaurant on Jan. 17, 18 and 22. Customers who ate at the restaurant on those days may have been exposed to hepatitis A.

Vaccination can prevent hepatitis A only if given within 14 days of exposure. Because those who ate at the restaurant on Jan. 17 and 18 would have been exposed more than 14 days ago, they should watch for any possible symptoms of hepatitis A and see their doctor if they become ill. Those who ate at the restaurant on January 22 should get the hepatitis A vaccination if they have not been previously vaccinated.

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Posted in food contamination, food handler, Food Hygiene, Food Illness, Food Inspections, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Testing, Food Pathogen, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Virus, Hepatitis A, Uncategorized, Virus, Virus Vaccination

USA – Hepatitis A “hat trick” – food service workers in Virginia, Indiana and Georgia putting patrons at risk

Posted on October 7, 2019 by | Leave a comment

Food Poison Journal

Virginia: According to the Peninsula Health District, people who consumed food from Mr. C’s Pizza & Subs, located at 493 Wythe Creek Road, between September 12 through 21, September 30 and October 1 may have been exposed to the disease.

The PHD said risk to the public from this exposure is low, and there is no indication of any food products at this restaurant being the source of the infection.

If you have not been previously vaccinated and have never had hepatitis A, you are susceptible to the disease, and may be at risk if you ate anything from Mr. C’s Pizza & Subs on the dates mentioned above. Hepatitis A vaccines are available at various urgent care clinics and pharmacies and can be received at the PHD for free or at a reduced cost.

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Posted in food contamination, food handler, Food Hygiene, Food Inspections, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Pathogen, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Testing, Food Virus, Hepatitis A, Uncategorized, Virus, Virus Vaccination