The New Mexico Department of Health (NMDOH) is investigating multiple outbreaks of norovirus around the state. The Department is recommending precautions be taken, especially around the very young, the elderly and those at any age with weakened immune systems. They are at risk for more serious illness due to norovirus infection.
A number of countries are reporting increasing rates of viral gastroenteritis over recent months, and experts suggest greater use of hand sanitizers, known to have little effect on pathogens such as norovirus, may be partly responsible.
New data released by health authorities in the Australian state of Victoria is reporting a four-fold increase in gastroenteritis outbreaks across childcare facilities over the first few months of 2021, compared to the five-year average. Other countries such as New Zealand and Taiwan have also reported spikes in norovirus outbreaks over recent months.
http://www.china.org.cn/world/Off_the_Wire/2021-04/28/content_77448785.htm
SYDNEY, April 28 (Xinhua) — Health authorities in Australia urged people to use soap and water rather than relying solely on hand sanitizers to ward off the norovirus.
The Food Safety Information Council (FSIC) made the suggestion on Wednesday following hundreds of outbreaks of the gastro virus around the nation in the past five months. Nearly 390 cases have been recorded this year in the state of Victoria, four times higher than average.
“Norovirus is highly contagious. A single infected person can easily spread it to many others, especially if they don’t wash their hands properly or prepare food or drink for others while they’re sick,” said FSIC chairwoman Cathy Moir.
She said not all viruses are the same and although hand sanitizers are very effective against reducing the spread of COVID-19, it has little effect on the spread of norovirus.
The FSIC suggested people to frequently wash their hands with soap and warm water for 20 seconds and drying for another 20 seconds to effectively remove norovirus.
The most important times to wash hands are after going to the toilet, vomiting, changing nappies, cleaning up vomit or faeces (poo) or attending to a sick person who has vomited, and before eating and preparing food.
The FSIC also suggested not to prepare food or drink for others if having gastro, and not to share plates, utensils or drink bottles with others.
Hepatitis A has been diagnosed in a Roma Sausage and Deli employee, according to the Oneida County, New York Health Department. That restaurant has two locations in Washington Mills and Utica, New York. The employee worked while infectious and may have exposed people who were patrons of the shops.
Sainsbury’s is taking the precautionary action of recalling Taste the Difference Medjool dates because they might be contaminated with Hepatitis A.
| Taste the Difference Medjool dates | |
|---|---|
| Pack size | 200g and 500g |
| Best before | All dates |
These products might be contaminated with Hepatitis A. Symptoms caused by Hepatitis A usually include fever, nausea, abdominal cramps, diarrhoea, dark-coloured urine and jaundice (a yellowing of the skin).
Posted in food contamination, food handler, Food Hazard, Food Hygiene, Food Inspections, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Research, Food Microbiology Testing, Food Pathogen, food recall, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Testing, Food Virus, fsa, Hepatitis A, Virus
JACKSON, Miss. – The Mississippi State Department of Health (MSDH) is investigating two cases of hepatitis A in Jackson County restaurant employees which may have led to possible exposure for customers.
Two employees of Brady’s Steaks and Seafood, 3801 Magnolia St. in Pascagoula have been diagnosed with hepatitis A infection, and worked at the restaurant while potentially infectious. Customers who ate at the restaurant between March 1 and April 3, 2021, may have been exposed to hepatitis A. At this time, there is no indication of an ongoing risk associated with the restaurant.
All individuals who ate at the restaurant between March 1 and April 3 should watch for any possible symptoms of hepatitis A and see their doctor if they become ill. Individuals who ate at the restaurant within the last two weeks should get a hepatitis A vaccination if not previously vaccinated. Vaccination can prevent hepatitis A only if given within 14 days of exposure.
Those who may have eaten at the restaurant within the last two weeks can receive a hepatitis A vaccination free of charge from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Thursday, April 8th at the Jackson County Health Department, 46000 Lt. Eugene J. Majure Drive, in Pascagoula.
norovirus in live oysters from France in France
norovirus (presence /2g) in live oysters from France in Italy
food
Posted in food contamination, 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, microbial contamination, Microbiology, Norovirus, RASFF, Virus
The Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention (Maine CDC) has identified a case of acute hepatitis A virus infection in an Orono, Maine, food service worker. The individual handled food while infectious on the following dates: March 6-9, March 13-16, and March 20-21, 2021.
Epidemiological assessment of the employee’s illness determined that patrons of the establishment may be at risk for hepatitis A infection. Maine CDC recommends that anyone who ate food prepared at or who worked at the Circle K at 2 Stillwater Avenue in Orono, Maine, from March 13 through 16 and March 20 through 21 receive hepatitis A vaccine within 14 days of their potential exposure. There is a 14-day window during which prophylaxis is effective after exposure.
Nearly 25 known individuals have reported experiencing gastro-intestinal illness symptoms to Southwest District Health (SWDH) since Friday, March 19. SWDH is currently investigating each reported illness to help determine the exact source and has confirmed 1 positive case of Norovirus. So far, there is a strong link to the Subway at 319 N 10th Ave in Caldwell, individuals that are reporting symptoms visited the establishment or received food from this location March 16-19.
The Subway involved is working cooperatively with SWDH following suspected presence of Norovirus and instituted mitigation measures to halt the spread of the virus. Following the inspection by SWDH, it was determined that the facility was following all guidance and recommendations.
Posted in food bourne outbreak, food contamination, Food Hazard, Food Hygiene, Food Illness, Food Inspections, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Testing, Food Pathogen, food recall, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Virus, foodborne outbreak, foodbourne outbreak, Norovirus, outbreak, Virus
Southwest District Health is investigating around two dozen known cases of reported foodborne illness linked to a Caldwell Subway.
Around 25 people reported experiencing gastro-intestinal illness symptoms since March 19 with a link to Subway located at 319 N. 10th Avenue in Caldwell. The health district says there has been one confirmed positive case of Norovirus. Southwest District Health says the people reporting symptoms went to the Subway between March 16-19.
FoodWorld 