Category Archives: Water Safety

India – Operation Vibrio launched in Kozhikode to tackle waterborne diseases

Posted on November 24, 2021 by | Leave a comment

The Hindu

Operation Vibrio, an action plan to tackle the recurring incidents of food poisoning and waterborne diseases, has been launched in Kozhikode. The Health Department has also issued an alert against cholera in the district.

District Medical Officer Ummer Farooque said on Tuesday that the effort was to detect diseases such as cholera, shigella, amoebiasis, typhoid and jaundice that spread through contaminated food and water. As many as 17 cases of food poisoning had been reported in the district between February and November this year. As many as 257 people were infected and two died. Family events and wedding receptions and the food supplied in shops and hostels were reported to be the source of the infection. Some others took ill through having ice cream and fruit juices. The presence of bacteria such as vibrio cholerae, coliform, and e-coli had been found in water sources in some parts of the district as well.

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Posted in Bore Hole Water, Contaminated water, Decontamination Microbial, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Research, Food Microbiology Testing, microbial contamination, Microbiological Risk Assessment, Microbiology, Vibrio, Vibrio cholera, vibrio cholerae, Vibrio parahaemolyticus, Water, water microbiology, Water Safety

USA – Tainted oysters sicken more than 20 after warning lapse

Posted on November 24, 2021 by | Leave a comment

The Washington Post

CALIFORNIA, Md. — A water utility warned last month that an overwhelmed sewage system sent more than 25,000 gallons of waste into a Potomac River tributary. But the Maryland Department of the Environment said it wasn’t until Virginia officials investigating a foodborne illness outbreak reached out two weeks later that officials closed an affected part of the St. Mary’s River, The Baltimore Sun reported.

Usually officials alert the public before shellfish are harvested or eaten. It’s not clear how it managed to occur, department spokesman Jay Apperson said, but the department is building redundancies into its process to keep it from happening again.

The illnesses were linked to a winery where Maryland oysters were served, Loudoun County Health Department environmental health manager George Khan said.

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Posted in Contaminated water, Decontamination Microbial, Food Illness, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Research, Food Microbiology Testing, Foodborne Illness, Illness, microbial contamination, Microbiological Risk Assessment, Microbiology, Microbiology Investigations, Water, water microbiology, Water Safety

Hong Kong – Not to import and sell ready-to-eat raw oysters harvested in Coffin Bay in Australia – Vibrio parahaemolyticus

Posted on November 24, 2021 by | Leave a comment

CFS

Food Illness

Issue Date 23.11.2021
Source of Information Centre for Food Safety
Food Product Raw Oysters
Product Name and Description Ready-to-eat Raw Oysters
Reason For Issuing Alert
  • The CFS noticed that Food Standards Australia New Zealand reported that ready-to-eat raw Pacific oysters harvested in Coffin Bay in Australia, which were suspected to be contaminated with Vibrio parahaemolyticus, were under recall.
  • According to the Department of Primary Industries and Regions of the Government of South Australia, the Coffin Bay growing area includes four harvesting areas, namely the Port Douglas harvesting area, the Mt Dutton Bay harvesting area, the Kellidie Bay West harvesting area and the Kellidie Bay East harvesting area.
Action Taken by the Centre for Food Safety
  • The CFS immediately conducted investigation and contacted local major importers for follow-up.
  • The CFS has immediately instructed the trade to suspend the import into and sale within Hong Kong of all ready-to-eat raw oysters from the Coffin Bay growing area.
  • The CFS has instructed the importers concerned to stop sale of, remove from shelves and recall the affected products, and is tracing the distribution of the products concerned.
  • The CFS will inform the Australian authorities and will also notify the local trade. It will continue to follow up on the incident and take appropriate action to safeguard food safety and public health. Investigation is ongoing.
Advice to the Trade
  • The trade should stop using or selling the products concerned immediately should they possess them.
Advice to Consumers
  • Do not to consume the affected product if they have bought any.
  • Enquiries about the recall can be made to the two importers – Worldwide Seafood Limited (hotline: 2911 4989) and Diligence Marine Products Limited (hotline: 6732 0690).
Further Information The CFS press release

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Posted in Contaminated water, food contamination, food handler, Food Hazard, Food Hygiene, Food Illness, Food Inspections, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Testing, Food Pathogen, Food Poisoning, food recall, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Testing, Food Toxin, Vibrio, Vibrio parahaemolyticus, Water, water microbiology, Water Safety

India – Five instances of food poisoning in Kozhikode in less than a month

Posted on November 23, 2021 by | Leave a comment

The Hindu

Health Department issues advisory on checking quality of drinking water sources. (Cholera)

At least five incidents of suspected food poisoning have occurred in Kozhikode district in less than a month, prompting the Health Department to issue an advisory on checking the quality of drinking water sources.

Fifteen girl students of a private entrance coaching centre at Perumanna were admitted to hospital after they had stomach upset and other symptoms on October 25.

Two-and-a-half-year-old Mohammed Yamin of Narikkuni died on November 13, just a couple of days after he had food at a wedding event. A dozen children and some elders too fell ill.

Hundreds sought medical treatment at Puthoor in Vadakara on November 15 after they had food at another wedding event in the previous days. Those who had idli and sambar from two temples at Mukkom complained of uneasiness, and 22 people sought treatment on November 19.

Fourteen students of a hostel at Pantheerankavu sought treatment at the Government Medical College Hospital, Kozhikode, after they had breakfast on November 20.

Another instance of food poisoning was averted in the nick of time when an alert food safety inspector detected pseudomonas bacteria in eggs scheduled to be distributed at a school at Payyadimeethal near Pantheerankavu on November 10.

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Posted in Death, food bourne outbreak, food contamination, food death, food handler, Food Hazard, Food Hygiene, Food Illness, Food Inspections, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Testing, Food Pathogen, Food Poisoning, Food Poisoning Death, food recall, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Testing, Food Toxin, foodborne outbreak, foodbourne outbreak, outbreak, Poisoning, Pseudomonas, Vibrio cholera, vibrio cholerae, Water, water microbiology, Water Safety

Spain – Legionellosis outbreak reported in Montmeló and Montornès del Vallès

Posted on November 19, 2021 by | Leave a comment

Outbreak News Today

Legionella_Plate_01

Health officials in Spain are reporting a legionellosis outbreak in the municipalities of Montmeló and Montornès del Vallès in the Vallès Oriental region.

To date, 26 cases have been detected. The cases have started symptoms between November 5 and 15. And, of the 26 cases, 10 did not require hospital admission, 2 cases required admission but have already been discharged and 14 cases are still hospitalized.

Those affected are 19 men and 7 women between 37 and 92 years old. And all the cases have had exposure in the municipalities of Montmeló or Montornès del Vallès.

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Posted in Contaminated water, food bourne outbreak, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Testing, foodborne outbreak, foodbourne outbreak, Legionella, Legionnaires’ disease, microbial contamination, Microbiological Risk Assessment, Microbiology, Microbiology Investigations, outbreak, Water, water microbiology, Water Safety

Australia – Raw Pacific oysters produced in Coffin Bay, SA – Vibrio parahaemolyticus

Posted on November 19, 2021 by | Leave a comment

FSANZ

​Date published: 19 November 2021

Product information

SA Health has issued an emergency order to recall raw Pacific oysters (Magallana gigas) produced in Coffin Bay, SA, including fresh and frozen products.

The oysters have been available for sale direct from farms, seafood outlets, grocery stores and supermarkets in SA, NSW, ACT, QLD, VIC, NT and WA.

Date markings

All production dates from and including 4 September 2021 up to and including 16 November 2021.

Raw Pacific oyster

Problem

The recall is due to microbial (Vibrio parahaemolyticus) contamination.

Food safety hazard

Food products contaminated with (Vibrio parahaemolyticus) may cause illness if consumed.

Country of origin

Australia

What to do​

Consumers are advised not to eat raw Pacific oysters ​from Coffin Bay, including fresh and frozen products. Any consumers concerned about their health should seek medical advice. Consumers should dispose of the oysters or return the oysters to the place of purchase for a full refund.

For further information please contact:

SA Health
(08) 8226 7100
healthfood@sa.gov.au
 The FSANZ webpage for the incident associated with this recall can be viewed​ ​here.
​​Related links:

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Posted in Contaminated water, 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, FSANZ, Vibrio, Vibrio parahaemolyticus, Water, water microbiology, Water Safety

Ireland – Councillor hopeful north Kerry boil water notice could be lifted this week – Cryptosporidium

Posted on November 16, 2021 by | Leave a comment

water contamination

Radio Kerry

A Kerry county councillor says it’s hoped a boil water notice affecting 3,500 people for over a month could be lifted later this week.

On October 11th, the HSE issued a boil water notice for people supplied by the Ardfert North/Ballyheigue scheme, following the detection of cryptosporidium.

Irish Water is currently installing a UV system, which is now being commissioned before the matter is referred back to the HSE.

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Posted in Boil Water Notice, Contaminated water, Cryptosporidiosis, Cryptosporidium, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Testing, microbial contamination, Microbiological Risk Assessment, Microbiology, Microbiology Investigations, Water, water microbiology, Water Safety

Malaysia – Cholera In Selangor, Careful When Drinking Water, KKM Says

Posted on November 15, 2021 by | Leave a comment

TRP

Food Illness

The Health Ministry (KKM) has given out warnings to the public over the weekend on the dangers of cholera after the Petaling Health District discovered one case.

Selangor State Health Department mentioned that the case was reported on 21 October 2021, involving a 56-year-old patient.

The public is urged to:

  • drink treated or boiled water.
  • practice personal hygiene and always wash their hands.
  • do not eat raw or uncooked food. (sorry sushi lovers)

One is advised to seek immediate medical attention if they’ve experienced diarrhea.

Further investigations have been conducted thoroughly however we have not been able to identify the cause of the infection and no new cases have been received so far. Therefore, in line with the MOH’s recommendation, the Selangor State Health Department would like to emphasize that cholera can spread quickly and can cause death if not treated immediately.

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Posted in Contaminated water, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Testing, microbial contamination, Microbiological Risk Assessment, Microbiology, Microbiology Investigations, Vibrio, Vibrio cholera, Water, water microbiology, Water Safety

South Australia – Vibrio parahaemolyticus infections linked to eating raw oysters in South Australia

Posted on November 15, 2021 by | Leave a comment

Outbreak News Today

KSWFOODWORLD

Vulnerable South Australians are reminded to avoid eating uncooked oysters after dozens of food-related illnesses linked to the consumption of raw oysters were reported in the past two months.

South Australia (SA Health’s) Acting Director of Food and Controlled Drugs Branch, Joanne Cammans, said 36 cases of Vibrio parahaemolyticus infections linked to eating raw oysters have been notified since September 2021, compared to no cases in 2020 and eight cases in 2019.

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Posted in Contaminated water, 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, Vibrio, Vibrio parahaemolyticus, Water, water microbiology, Water Safety

Ireland – Upgrade works completed on North Kerry treatment plant under boil water notice

Posted on November 10, 2021 by | Leave a comment

Radio Kerry

Upgrade works have been carried out on a North Kerry treatment plant, which serves an area that’s been under a boil water notice for four weeks.

The notice for the Ardfert North (Ballyheigue) Public Water Supply was put in place on October 11th due to the detection of cryptosporidium in the public water supply.

Irish Water says 3,500 people are impacted by this boil water notice, which remains in place.

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Posted in Boil Water Notice, Contaminated water, Cryptosporidiosis, Cryptosporidium, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Testing, microbial contamination, Microbiological Risk Assessment, Microbiology, Microbiology Investigations, Water, water microbiology, Water Safety