Tag Archives: Florida Department of Health

USA – Vibrio vulnificans in 2014 – 7 Dead

Posted on December 16, 2014 | Leave a comment

Outbreak News Today V

The Florida Department of Health (DOH) has reported an additional case of Vibriosis caused by the bacterium, Vibrio vulnificus in Pinellas County in the west-central part of the state. This is the fourth V. vulnificus case reported from Pinellas County this year.

This brings the state total to 32 cases and the death toll remains at seven.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says Vibrio vulnificus is a bacterium in the same family as those that cause cholera and Vibrio parahaemolyticus. It normally lives in warm seawater and is part of a group of vibrios that are called “halophilic” because they require salt.

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USA – Cryptosporidum Outbreak – Florida

Posted on September 16, 2014 | Leave a comment

Food Poisoning Bulletin 763px-Cryptosporidium_parvum_01

According to WTSP, the Florida Department of Health in Hillsborough County is reporting an increase in cryptosporidium cases since July 1, 2014. Public health officials say that 157 cases have been reported by DOH-Hillsborough in the last two months. Last year, there were only 11 cases during the same time period.

Many of those sickened spent time at day care or schools during the incubation period. Most of those sickened are under the age of 15.

Cryptosporidium is a parasite that is passed through infected feces. It is spread after improper hand washing after using the bathroom or changing diapers. It spreads easily in chlorinated swimming pools and through hand-to-mouth contact.

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USA – Vibrio vulnificans Outbreak – Shellfish

Posted on August 26, 2014 | Leave a comment

Outbreak News Today

A newly reported Vibrio vulnificus case in Charlotte County, Florida, the county’s third case, brings the states total to 16, according to the latest numbers released from the Florida Department of Health today.

The total number of fatalities reported in the state remains unchanged at three. For more infectious disease news and information, visit and “like” the Infectious Disease News Facebook page

People can get infected with Vibrio vulnificus when they eat raw shellfish, particularly oysters. The bacterium is frequently isolated from oysters and other shellfish in warm coastal waters during the summer months. Since it is naturally found in warm marine waters, people with open wounds can be exposed to Vibrio vulnificus through direct contact with seawater. There is no evidence of person-to-person transmission of Vibrio vulnificus.

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USA – Vibrio vulnificans – Raw Shellfish

Posted on June 19, 2014 | Leave a comment

The Global Despatch V

This organism is not really on the radar in the UK but is the the USA top ten.

As summer arrives and the waters get warmer, The Florida Department of Health is urging Floridians with certain health conditions to avoid eating raw oysters and exposing open wounds to seawater and estuarine water, which may harbor bacteria called Vibrio vulnificus.Health officials have already reported six cases this year; four due to the infection of an open wound and two from consuming raw shellfish.

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USA – Shigella and Legionella Outbreaks

Posted on October 24, 2013 | Leave a comment

Shigella Blog

Health officials at the Florida Department of Health in Broward County are advising parents, schools and daycare centers to take precautionary action to prevent the spread of Shigellosis. Shigellosis is a highly contagious form of diarrhea caused by Shigella bacteria. Shigella can spread through person to person contact and may cause severe diarrhea, fever and stomach cramps. Parents of children, or anyone with symptoms of Shigellosis should contact their healthcare provider for diagnosis and treatment.

Food Posioning Blog

October 23, 2013  by Leave a Comment

To date, one person has died and several others have been sickened in an outbreak of Legionnaires’ disease linked to Glenwood Nursing Home in Florence, Alabama. Legionnaires’ is a form of pneumonia caused by inhaling water mist containing Legionella bacteria.

All confirmed and suspected cases have been either residents or visitors to the nursing home. The one person who has died in the outbreak was a woman who visited the facility with two family members. She later developed respiratory symptoms and was hospitalized. Tests confirmed Legionnaires disease (Legionella pneumonia). The other family members were also sickened.

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Posted in Food Hygiene, Food Illness, Food Inspections, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Poisoning, Food Safety, Food Testing, Foodborne Illness, Hand Washing, Legionella, Microbiology, Pathogen, Shigella

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USA – Vibrio Poisoning in Florida 2013

Posted on October 8, 2013 | Leave a comment

Food Safety NewsV

At least 27 Floridians have been sickened this year – and nine have died– from infections of Vibrio vulnificus, a deadly bacterium that lives in warm seawater and is commonly associated with eating raw oysters and other shellfish. The figure came from a news release published last week by the Florida Department of Health.

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Posted in Bacteria, Food Hygiene, Food Illness, Food Inspections, Food Microbiology, Food Poisoning, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Testing, Foodborne Illness, Hygiene, Illness, Laboratory, Microbiology, Pathogen, Recall

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