Ireland has reported the number of infections caused by major pathogens from April to June.
Data comes from a report published by the Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC) that includes foodborne illnesses in the second quarter of 2024.
In the first quarter of 2024, there were 733 Campylobacter cases, five Listeria infections, 67 Salmonella cases, and 116 Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) infections.
Germany has been hit hardest in a multi-country Salmonella outbreak linked to rocket from Italy.
As of late September, there are 98 cases in Germany. The Robert Koch Institut (RKI) believes this number may go up. There are 16 patients in Austria and 23 in Denmark.
The first cases were reported in Germany at the end of July. Since the beginning of August, there has been a significant increase in patients, with 16 to 18 cases per week. All federal states except Bremen and Saarland are affected.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has released a report on its investigation of the Salmonella Enteritidis outbreak in Peaches. The FDA and multiple state and federal partners investigated an outbreak of Salmonella Enteritidis infections that were linked to the consumption of peaches during the summer of 2020. In total, the outbreak caused 101 reported illnesses across 17 states, including 28 hospitalizations. This appears to be the first time a Salmonella outbreak has been linked to peaches.
The FDA conducted this investigation in conjunction with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), state partners, and Canadian public health officials between August and October 2020. The epidemiological and traceback investigation determined that peaches packed or supplied by a large grower/producer were the likely source of the outbreak. The traceback evidence informed and helped to prioritize two subsequent investigations of peach packing/holding operations and peach orchards in Cutler, Kerman, and Sanger, California. The large grower/producer cooperated with FDA throughout the investigation and is continuing to engage with FDA on the agency’s findings and recommendations.
Investigators conducted over 700 tests on environmental, peach, and peach tree leaf samples. While no test results matched the 2020 outbreak strain, four tests conducted on peach and peach tree leaf samples collected from an orchard adjacent to a poultry operation yielded positives for Salmonella Alachua which were further linked via whole genome sequencing (WGS) to 2019 and 2020 chicken isolates. This finding prompted a follow-up investigation more closely focused on growing areas and a voluntary recall by the firm, preventing the tested, contaminated product from reaching the market. During the follow-up investigation, two tests of peach tree leaf samples collected from orchards adjacent to a cattle feedlot yielded positives for Salmonella Montevideo that were genetically similar via WGS to 2018-2020 beef and cattle isolates.
While investigators did not find the outbreak strain, and the strains of Salmonella found during this outbreak were not linked to any clinical illnesses, the investigational findings reinforce the FDA’s concern about the potential impact that adjacent land uses can have on the safety of produce.
The FDA views the implementation of appropriate science- and risk-based measures to reduce the potential for contamination of peaches and other produce as the most effective and practicable means to improve the safety of fresh produce, especially when measures are tailored to the specific practices and conditions on individual farms. The FDA encourages all growers to be cognizant of and assess risks that may be posed by adjacent and nearby land uses, including for the potential impact of dust exposure. The FDA also recognizes the interconnection between people, animals, plants, and their shared environment when it comes to public health outcomes, and we encourage collaboration among various groups in the broader agricultural community (e.g., produce growers, those managing animal operations, state and federal government agencies, and academia) to address this issue.
Almost 550 people were hospitalized in Vietnam earlier this year after a Salmonella outbreak linked to a type of sandwich sold at a bakery.
The outbreak occurred in Dong Nai province in May 2024. The Dong Nai Food Safety Department and the Institute of Public Health in Ho Chi Minh City investigated the incident.
A study published in the Western Pacific Surveillance and Response Journal revealed that 547 cases were recorded from April 30 to May 6. Two people were in severe condition, and a 6-year-old boy died. A total of 284 patients were female and 263 were male. The average age was 35
Shigella outbreaks caused by restaurant employees are not extremely common, but they do occur and can be significant when they happen. Shigella is a highly infectious bacterium, and even a small amount can cause illness. Outbreaks linked to food handlers can happen through the following mechanisms read more at the link above.
Salmonella outbreaks caused by restaurant employees are not extremely common, but they do occur and can be significant when they happen. Several factors contribute to outbreaks linked to restaurant settings see more at the link above.
Natural disasters, such as hurricanes, can create significant public health challenges, particularly regarding food and water safety. When Hurricane Idalia hit Florida, Georgia, and North Carolina in late September 2023, it not only brought destruction through powerful winds and floods but also triggered concerns about foodborne illnesses. Now survivors are contending with the aftermath of Helene – having survived the storm, they now need to focus on preventing further harm to their families and themselves.
Food poisoning is a common aftermath of hurricanes due to compromised food storage, contamination of food and water supplies, and lack of sanitation in areas affected by widespread power outages and flooding.
In agreement with the AFSCA, CAMAL is withdrawing the “Fleur d’Audresselles” cheese (450g) of the Ste Godeleine brand from sale and recalling it from consumers due to the presence of Listeria monocytogenes.
CAMAL asks its customers not to consume this product and to return it to the point of sale where it was purchased (after return to CAMAL, a refund will be made).
Product Description:
The product was distributed by CAMAL (Route de Légipont 12, 4671 BARCHON).
For any further information , please contact Mrs Benzina Leila: +32 04 345 67 82 and/or leila.benzina@camal.be.
Posted in afsca, food contamination, food handler, Food Hazard, Food Hygiene, Food Inspections, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Testing, Food Pathogen, Food Quality, food recall, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Safety Management, Food Safety Regulations, Food Testing, Listeria, Listeria in Cheese, Listeria monocytogenes
According to press reports, the St. Clair County Health Department is investigating the cause of a cluster of gastrointestinal illnesses among customers who dined at the LongHorn Steakhouse in Fairview Heights.
The restaurant has voluntarily closed Wednesday and Thursday. Officials determined that some of the illnesses were caused by shigellosis, an infectious disease caused by a group of bacteria called shigella. As of Wednesday afternoon, the department had received 14 reports from people testing positive for shigella. Twelve had dined at the LongHorn Steakhouse at 6115 N. Illinois St. between Sept. 21 and 22. Six cases have required hospitalization, according to the health department.
HOFER and its supplier Sorger Wurst- und Schinkenspezialität GmbH are recalling the article “Frauentaler Landjäger 200 g” due to contamination with EHEC (enterohemorrhagic E. coli).
The product Frauentaler Landjäger 200 g with the best-before date 19.11.2024 and the batch SOR4764247 of the supplier Sorger Wurst- und Schinkenspezialität GmbH is recalled by the supplier for reasons of precautionary consumer protection due to possible contamination with EHEC.
Due to possible contamination with EHEC, consumption of this product is not recommended.
The product was available in the HOFER KG branches in Tyrol, Vorarlberg, Salzburg, Carinthia, Styria and southern Burgenland. Sales of the product were stopped immediately.
The product can be returned to all HOFER stores. Customers will of course receive a refund of the purchase price even without a proof of purchase. This warning does not mean that the hazard was caused by the producer, manufacturer or distributor.
HOFER KG has set up a hotline for your queries, which can be reached at the following telephone number:
+43 5 70 30 355 00 (Mon-Fri 07:30-19:00 / Sat 07:30-17:00)
Posted in AGES, EHEC, food contamination, food handler, Food Hazard, Food Hygiene, Food Inspections, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Testing, Food Pathogen, Food Quality, food recall, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Safety Management, Food Safety Regulations, Food Testing, STEC, STEC E.coli
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