Tag Archives: cdc

USA – Frozen Mice – Salmonella Outbreak

Food Safety News

Contact with frozen feeder rodents has been linked to 37 people from 18 states becoming infected with the outbreak strain of Salmonella Typhimurium, according to an announcement Tuesday from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

CDC noted that the cases were reported between Jan 11 and May 13, 2014, 15 percent of those sickened had been hospitalized, and no deaths have been reported.

Epidemiologic, laboratory, and traceback findings have linked this outbreak of Salmonella infections to contact with frozen feeder rodents packaged by Reptile Industries Inc. of Naples, FL, CDC stated.

USA – CDC Report – Notes from the Field: Increase in Vibrio parahaemolyticus Infections Associated with Consumption of Atlantic Coast Shellfish — 2013

CDC V

Vibrio parahaemolyticus (Vp) is found naturally in coastal saltwater. In the United States, Vp causes an estimated 35,000 domestically acquired foodborne infections annually (1), of which most are attributable to consumption of raw or undercooked shellfish. Illness typically consists of mild to moderate gastroenteritis, although severe infection can occur. Demographic, clinical, and exposure information (including traceback information on implicated seafood) for all laboratory-confirmed illnesses are reported by state health departments to CDC through the Cholera and Other Vibrio Surveillance system. Vp isolates are distinguished by serotyping (>90 serotypes have been described) and by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE).

USA – CDC – Solve the Outbreak App!

solveoutbreak_cdc_200x200-v2CDC

Are you ready to work your way closer to becoming a Disease Detective? CDC has released an update to Solve the Outbreak, the popular, free iPad app that puts you in the shoes of a member of the Epidemic Intelligence Service. The app now has twice as many outbreaks as before, giving you double the opportunity to have fun.

The immensely popular app has had fans clamoring for more. So if you’ve been stuck as an Apprentice, now’s your chance to work your way through the new outbreaks to earn more badges!

New Features

New, exciting features such as:

  • sound effects,
  • new levels, and
  • achievements.

Work hard to earn an achievement such as Clever Clogs and Smarty Pants; but beware of the Grim Reaper and Underachiever if you fail to Solve the Outbreak.

USA – CDC New Tool For Food Safety in Restaurants

Food Poisoning BulletinE.coli O157

Almost half of all foodborne illness outbreaks that occur every year in the U.S. are associated with restaurants and delis. The CDC has released new findings and prevention tools to improve food safety in restaurants. Public health officials say that increased awareness and implementation of proper food safety in restaurants and delis may prevent many of the foodborne illness outbreaks reported every year in the U.S.

Education of restaurant workers and public health surveillance are two critical tools necessary in preventing these illnesses. Food preparation and handling practices, worker health policies, and hand-washing practices are some of the factors that are not reported during outbreaks. Carol Selman, head of the CDC’s Environmental Health Specialists Network team said, “inspectors have not had a formal system to capture and report the underlying factors that likely contribute to foodborne outbreaks or a way to inform prevention strategies and implement routine corrective measures to prevent future outbreaks.”

USA -CDC Update Foster Farms Salmonella Outbreak

CDCE.coli O157

As of November 15, 2013, a total of 389 persons infected with seven outbreak strains of Salmonella Heidelberg have been reported from 23 states and Puerto Rico.

40% of ill persons have been hospitalized, and no deaths have been reported.

Most ill persons (74%) have been reported from California.

Epidemiologic, laboratory, and traceback investigations conducted  by local, state, and federal officials indicate that consumption of Foster  Farms brand chicken is the likely source of this outbreak of Salmonella Heidelberg infections.

USA – Outbreak Updates – Cyclospora – Foster Farms – Hepatitis

CDC Final Report Hepatitis A  – Townsend Farmscdc

This  particular outbreak appears to be over. However, Viral Hepatitis is still an  important cause of human illness in the United States. More information about Viral Hepatitis,  and steps people can take to reduce their risk of infection, can be found on the CDC Viral Hepatitis website.

CDC Final Report Cyclospora

These outbreaks appear to be over. More information about Cyclospora can be found on CDC’s Cyclospora pages.

CDC Report on More Foster Farms Salmonella Cases

As of October 29,  2013, a total of 362 persons infected with seven outbreak strains of Salmonella Heidelberg have been reported from 21 states and Puerto Rico.

38% of ill persons have been hospitalized, and no deaths have been reported.

Most ill persons (74%) have been reported from California.

USA – Cyclospora Outbreak Update

Food Poisoning Journal

As of September 20, 2013 (5pm EDT), CDC has been notified of 643 ill persons with of Cyclospora infection from 25 states: Arkansas, California, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York (including New York City), Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.

Most of the illness onset dates have ranged from mid-June through mid-July.

Public health officials in Iowa and Nebraska performed investigations within their states and concluded that restaurant-associated cases of cyclosporiasis in their states were linked to a salad mix produced by Taylor Farms de Mexico.

Epidemiologic and traceback investigations conducted in Texas by state and local public health and regulatory officials, the FDA, and CDC indicated that some illnesses among Texas residents were linked to fresh cilantro from Puebla, Mexico.

On-going Problem Salmonella and Small Pet Turtles

CDC

A total of 196 persons infected with outbreak strains of Salmonella Sandiego, Salmonella Pomona, and Salmonella Poona have been reported from 31 states.

  • 36 ill persons have been hospitalised, and no deaths have been reported.
  • 63% of ill persons are children 10 years of age or younger, and 29% of ill persons are children 1 year of age or younger.
  • 55% of ill persons are of Hispanic ethnicity. Information about the association between reptiles and Salmonella is now available in Spanish.