Category Archives: Water

Research – Inhibitory Activity of Essential Oils against Vibrio campbellii and Vibrio parahaemolyticus

MDPI

Vibriosis, caused by Vibrio strains, is an important bacterial disease and capable of causing significant high mortality in aquatic animals. Essential oils (EOs) have been considered as an alternative approach for the treatment of aquatic bacterial diseases. In this study, we evaluated the antibacterial activity of essential oils (= 22) or essential oil components (EOCs, = 12) against Vibrio strains belonging to the harveyi clade. It was verified by three different approaches, e.g., (i) a bacterial growth assay, comparing Vibrio growth with or without EO(C)s at various concentrations; (ii) a vapor-phase-mediated susceptibility assay, comparing the effect of EO(C)s on bacterial growth through the vapor phase; and (iii) a quorum sensing-inhibitory assay, based on specific inhibition of quorum sensing-regulated bioluminescence. The results showed that, in the bacterial growth assay, EOs of Melaleuca alternifolia and Litsea citrata at 0.0001%, Eucalyptus citriodora at 0.01% can inhibit the growth of Vibrio campbellii BB120. These EOs can also prevent the growth of V. parahaemolyticus strains but need to be present at a higher concentration (0.1%). Moreover, in the vapor-phase-mediated susceptibility assay, EOs of M. alternifoliaL. citrata and E. citriodora can inhibit the growth of V. campbellii BB120 through their vapor phase. However, V. parahaemolyticus strains (CAIM170, LMG2850 and MO904) cannot be inhibited by these EOs. Additionally, in the quorum sensing-inhibitory assay, EOs of Mentha pulegiumCuminum cyminumZingiber officinalis, and E. citriodora, all at 0.001%, have quorum sensing-inhibitory activity in V. campbellii BB120. Taken together, our study provides substantial evidence that usage of the major components, individually or in combination, of the tested commercial EOs (extracted from M. alternifoliaL. citrata, and E. citriodora) could be a promising approach to control V. campbellii BB120.

Portugal – Legionnaires’ disease update: Additional cases/death recorded

Outbreak News Today

CDC legionella

In a follow-up on the Legionnaires’ disease outbreak in northern Portugal region of Greater Porto, officials report from October 29 through November 29, 88 registered cases, including 10 deaths.

The outbreak, which has affected the cities of Matosinhos, Vila do Conde and Póvoa de Varzim, has decreased after the cooling towers of an industry in Matosinhos were disconnected where the bacteria was detected.

“Since the operation of the aforementioned cooling towers was suspended, there has been a marked decrease in the number of cases of Legionnaires’ disease in the aforementioned geographical area,” ARS / Norte said in a statement this Sunday.

Singapore – Recall of Meadows Bottled Drinking Water Due to Presence of Pseudomonas aeruginosa

SFA

The Singapore Food Agency (SFA) has detected the presence of Pseudomonas aeruginosa in “Meadows” bottled drinking water during a routine sampling of the product. The product was imported from Malaysia by Cold Storage Singapore (1983) Pte Ltd. SFA has directed the importer to recall all the implicated products. The recall has been completed.

Consumers who have purchased the implicated product are advised not to consume it. Those who have consumed the implicated product and have concerns about their health should seek medical advice. Consumers may contact their point of purchase for enquiries or refund
.Details of the products are as follows.

Implicated product: Meadows Pure Drinking Water
Expiry Date: 9/11/2022
Packing Size: 1.5L
Country of origin: Malaysia
Issued by the Singapore Food Agency
3 December 2020

Portugal – Portugal Legionnaires’ disease outbreak sickens dozens, kills 9

Outbreak News Today

CDC legionella

Public health authorities in Portugal are reporting a Legionnaires’ disease outbreak in the Greater Porto region of the northern region of the country.

Three counties have been affected–Póvoa de Varzim, Vila do Conde and Matosinhos.

The number of legionella cases diagnosed since the outbreak began on Oct. 29 is 85, including nine deaths due to complications associated with the disease.

According to the ECDC, an epidemiological investigation is ongoing, including clinical and environmental assessment and sampling for subsequent subtyping and isolate comparison. Two cooling towers have been closed.

USA – Florida Vibrio vulnificus tally this year tops 2019

Outbreak News Today

KSWFOODWORLD

Florida state health officials have reported more Vibrio vulnificus cases and deaths than this year than was reported in 2019, according to the latest data.

Vibrio vulnificus can cause disease in those who eat contaminated seafood or have an open wound that is exposed to warm seawater containing the bacteria. Ingestion of Vibrio vulnificus can cause vomiting, diarrhea and abdominal pain. Vibrio vulnificus can also cause an infection of the skin when open wounds are exposed to warm seawater; these infections may lead to skin breakdown and ulcers.

USA – Cryptosporidiosis Outbreak Linked to Raw Milk from Maine Farm

Maine Gov

crypto

Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention (Maine CDC) has identified an outbreak of cryptosporidiosis in individuals who consumed unpasteurized/raw milk from Roux Farm in Shapleigh, Maine, within the last two months. Epidemiologists identified at least four individuals who became ill and tested positive for cryptosporidiosis. Anyone who consumed raw milk (regular or any flavor) from Roux Farm produced before October 18, 2020, may be at elevated risk of cryptosporidiosis. Raw milk from the farm was sold through a variety of stores in the state.

Advisory (PDF)

Iceland – Monitoring of drinking water 2017-2019

MAST

During the monitoring of drinking water 2017-2019, faecal bacteria were detected in water from nine water utilities out of 49. The nine utilities serve over 1% of the population. In one case, there was a serious deviation, as a mistake resulted in contaminated water being let into the distribution system. In other utilities, the pollution was not high.

Matvælastofnun has compiled an overview of monitoring of drinking water in 2017, 2018 and 2019. The overview is based on data from the municipal health inspectorate, which monitors water supplies and covers utilities that serve 500 inhabitants or more. There are 49 utilities and they serve over 95% of the population.

Click to access skyrsla-eftirlit-neysluvatn-2017-2019.pdf

USA – 32 Union College students sickened by diarrheal illness – Giardia

Houston Chronicle

Giardia

At least 32 students at an upstate New York college have been diagnosed with a diarrheal illness commonly linked to contaminated lakes, streams and wells.

The Union College students tested positive for giardiasis, while other students showed symptoms of the intestinal disease, Fran’Cee Brown-McClure, the college’s vice president for student affairs and dean of students, wrote in an email to students Friday. Students who live both on campus and off campus became ill.

The Schenectady school reported the first cases of the illness on Oct. 14. School officials said they are working with the local health department to try to determine the source of the disease, which is caused by the giardia parasite.

RASFF Alert – Coliforms – Natural Mineral Water

European Food Alerts

RASFF

presence of coliforms (7.8 x 10¹ [5.5 x 10¹; 1.1x 10²] /250ml) in natural mineral water from Belarus in Lithuania

New Zealand – E. coli detected in Waitaki

ODT

Private bore owners are being urged to get their water tested regularly, following E.coli being found in the Waitaki District.

The Otago Regional Council’s state of the environment monitoring bores detected elevated levels of E. coli in two locations on the lower Waitaki Plains.

The bore owners were immediately notified alongside the Southern District Health Board and Waitaki District Council.

The regional council said the results were a reminder for anyone using a private bore for drinking water to have it regularly tested and to ensure the bore head was well secured.

Water users should treat water with chlorination, ozonation, boiling, or adequate filtration, or access an alternative water source if they were uncertain about its safety.

E. coli is a subset of faecal bacteria. Any water that contains E. coli above drinking water standards is considered unsuitable to drink without treatment.

Anyone concerned about health risks should contact their GP, or call Healthline on 0800 611 116 for free advice from trained registered nurses.