Tag Archives: health

Australia New Advice About Listeriosis – Rising Number of Cases

NSW Food Authority

The NSW Food Authority advises those most at risk to avoid the following ready to eat foods:

  • soft cheese such as brie, blue, fetta, camembert and ricotta
  • cold chicken or turkey particularly if sliced or diced – such as used in chicken sandwiches
  • cold meats, pate and meat spreads
  • pre-prepared or packaged salads greens and salads
  • raw seafood such as oysters, sashimi, smoked salmon or oysters (canned oysters are safe)
  • sushi
  • unpasteurised dairy products including raw goat’s milk and Roquefort cheese

“Signs of listeriosis include flu-like symptoms such as fever, muscle aches, nausea and diarrhoea that can sometimes lead to septicemia, meningitis and in some cases, miscarriage in pregnant women,” Dr McAnulty said.

Investigations into listeriosis are complex as it can be difficult to identify the source. Symptoms of illness can take up to 70 days to appear.

Healthy people usually show only mild symptoms. However, in people at risk, early symptoms of listeria infection include fever, headache, tiredness and aches and pains.

Other useful links can be found at the base of the articel in the link above.

USA – Sprouts and Pathogenic Bacteria

Food Poisoning BulletinEurofins

Raw sprouts have been the cause of several food poisoning outbreaks in the last several years. In 2012, there were many recalls of raw sprouts for bacterial contamination. Several facilities, including Kroger and Jimmy John’s, decided to stop offering sprouts for sale altogether, although Jimmy John’s put the vegetables back on their menu in October 2012.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has been warning those in high risk groups to avoid sprouts completely, unless they are thoroughly cooked. And FoodSafety.gov just released information about what you, as a consumer, should know about sprouts.

World Winter Norovirus Cases Spike 2012

Food Safety NewsNorovirus

Winter months consistently produce the highest numbers of Norovirus outbreaks; however early reports suggest that the bug may be striking a particularly large number of victims this season.

In the United Kingdom, the number of confirmed Norovirus cases has risen to 72 percent higher than this time last year. In total, 3,877 citizens have been confirmed with infections, up from 2,255 a year ago.

But for every confirmed case of Norovirus, experts estimate that another 288 cases go unreported. That means that more than 1.1 million UK citizens may have already suffered bouts with the bug, which can include vomiting, diarrhea, nausea and abdominal pain.

The Canadian province of British Columbia has also seen its greatest number of November and December Norovirus cases since 2006. Some healthcare facilities in the region have closed off portions of their premises for disinfection in attempts to prevent further spread of the virus.

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Norovirus sickens an estimated 21 million Americans each year, contributing to 70,000 hospitalizations and 800 deaths. While most cases result from human contact, Norovirus also remains the most common source of foodborne illness in the U.S. and is regularly associated with leafy greens, fresh fruits and shellfish.

USA – Norovirus Updates

Food Poisoning BulletinNorovirus

A suspected norovirus outbreak has been declared at the Stateville Correctional Facility in Illinois. Illinois Department of Corrections spokesperson Melaney Arnold told Food Poisoning Bulletin that approximately 144 inmates reported becoming ill after Christmas. No patients have been hospitalized.  Food testing is underway to try to determine the source of the outbreak.

The Department of Corrections and the Illinois Department of Public Health are working on the outbreak investigation and control efforts. Samples have been sent to the state laboratory, and public health officials are waiting for results.

CalCoast

A new strain of a stomach virus has caused at least three outbreaks in San Luis Obispo County within the past month, according to local health officials.

All three outbreaks, two of which occurred in restaurants and one in a long-term care facility, were caused from a new strain of the Norovirus from Australia, GII strain. Symptoms include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, fever and body aches.

The highly contagious virus is spread through contact with infected people, consuming infected foods or touching infected surfaces. Health officials are asking those who are infected to stay home as they are still contagious for a time after symptoms have subsided.

Each Year Norovirus infections cause an estimated 21 million illnesses in the United States, and 70,000 hospitalizations.

All I Want for Christmas is Norovirus !

CBC News Canadanorovirus-2(1)

The Thunder Bay District Health Unit confirmed Friday that it was the Norovirus that caused an outbreak of gastrointestinal illness that affected dozens of people.

Maltese Grocery had shut down its catering operations temporarily after 85 people became sick after eating food at three events the company had catered the previous week. They’ve since resumed, but with additional precautions.

Senior Public Health Inspector Abby Mackie said clinical specimens submitted to a lab confirmed the Norovirus to be the source of the outbreak.

USA – Colorado

DENVER— The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment is reporting widespread gastrointestinal illness (norovirus) throughout Colorado, including in nursing homes, assisted living facilities, schools and child care centers. Everyone is encouraged to increase simple prevention measures to stop further spread of illness in the community. Symptoms of the illness include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and stomach cramping.

Alicia Cronquist, epidemiologist at the department, said, “We believe the illness is being caused by a virus germ called norovirus. This infection is very common this time of year.

Japan Times

MIYAZAKI — Six patients have died of gastroenteritis caused by a norovirus outbreak at Shunkokaihigashi Hospital in Nichinan, Miyazaki Prefecture, hospital officials said Sunday.

The victims — all men aged between 78 and 88 — were among 44 patients and staff who came down with symptoms of the illness, including vomiting and diarrhea, the officials said. All six were bedridden.

The health ministry has issued a nationwide warning about the norovirus because infections are approaching the record high set in 2006.

The China Post

TAIPEI–Health experts said Tuesday that an unusually high number of diarrhea cases have been reported this winter due to norovirus outbreaks and it warned that the peak season is yet to come.//

About 10,108 patients sought treatment for watery diarrhea at emergency departments across the country last week, which was a five-year high, said Chuang Jen-hsiang, director of the Epidemic Intelligence Center at the Centers for Disease Control (CDC).

New Zealand – Recall Tahini – Salmonella

Food Safety NZSalmonella

Monday 17th December
      Food Product: Dips and spreads
      Name of Product and Identification: ‘Gesas’ brand Tahini       Date mark (Exp) 06.2014 (see container lids)
Package Description & Size: 18kg buckets, 1000g plastic bottles and 600g glass jars
      NZ Distribution: The product is sold in ethnic retail supermarkets throughout New Zealand.
      Overseas Distribution: No
      Reason for Recall: Grand Bazaar Ltd are initiating a recall of the ‘Gesas’ branded tahini after discovering the tahini is contaminated with Salmonella.
      Comments: Salmonella can cause symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhoea, stomach pain and nausea. Any person concerned about their health should seek medical advice.
Customers should return the product to their retailer for a full refund or phone 09 828 5246 with any queries. This recall does not affect any other Grand Bazaar Ltd product.
Grand Bazaar Ltd 40 Honan Pl Avondale Auckland

Research – Bacillus cereus Enterotoxin Testing

Liebert Open Acesss

Currently, three commercial kits for Bacillus cereus enterotoxins Nhe and/or Hbl detection are available, namely, the Bacillus diarrheal enterotoxin visual immunoassay (BDE VIA™) kit (3M Tecra), B. cereus enterotoxin reversed passive latex agglutination (BCET-RPLA) kit (Oxoid), and the Duopath® Cereus Enterotoxins (Merck). The performance of the kits and their applicability to gastrointestinal simulation samples were evaluated. Then, the stability and production of enterotoxins Hbl and Nhe under gastrointestinal conditions were investigated. Enterotoxin production was absent or impaired at acidic pH, i.e., in gastric medium with pH 5.0 and lasagne verde with pH 5.5. B. cereus did produce enterotoxins Nhe and Hbl during anaerobic growth in intestinal medium at pH 7.0, but the toxins were instantly degraded by the enzymes in the host’s digestive secretions. Preformed enterotoxins did not withstand gastrointestinal passage under the simulated conditions, which suggests that preformed enterotoxins in food do not contribute to the diarrheal food poisoning syndrome. In conclusion, diarrhea is probably caused by de novo enterotoxin production by B. cereus cells located closely to the host’s intestinal epithelium.

Winter Vomiting- Cruise Ships – Hospitals – Christmas Parties – Restaurants

Billings Gazette

CASPER, Wyo. — The Golden Corral restaurant in east Casper is closed until at  least dinnertime Friday after a suspected foodborne virus outbreak at the  location affected more than 150 people, according to David Giesen, president of  franchisee Golden DBL Inc. of Denver.

The restaurant was closed Thursday afternoon. Giesen said the shutdown is  voluntary while staff members clean and disinfect the restaurant and the Natrona  County Health Department continues its investigation.

Natrona County Health Department Director Bob Harrington said Thursday that  167 people have reported being ill after eating at the restaurant this past  week.

Norway Christmas

At least 170 people have become ill after having been at a Christmas party at Klækken hotels on Ringerike the weekend. Possible virus.

CDC

Noroviruses are responsible for more than half of all reported outbreaks of gastroenteritis (vomiting, diarrhea, and stomach cramping caused by inflammation of the stomach and intestines). While the vast majority of norovirus illnesses are not part of a recognized cluster, outbreaks provide important information on how the virus spreads and, therefore, how best to prevent infection.

Norovirus outbreaks occur throughout the year. But, over 80% of the outbreaks occur from November to April. Also, when there are new strains of norovirus, the number of outbreaks tends to increase periodically. This occurred in the winter of 2006 to 2007 with the Minerva strain. However, a new strain that appeared in 2009 (New Orleans) did not lead to more outbreaks.

Most outbreaks are caused when norovirus is spread from infected people to others. But, the virus can also spread by consuming contaminated food or water and touching things that have the virus on them. People can get norovirus illness many times during their lifetime. Outbreaks can affect people of all ages and in a variety of settings.

The Guardian

A dream Christmas cruise has turned into the holiday from hell, according to passengers who claim as many as 400 travellers have been struck down with the norovirus winter vomiting bug.

One traveller aboard the P&O liner Oriana, which is on a 10-night Baltic cruise out of Southampton visiting Christmas markets, said people felt like they were sailing on a “plague ship”.

 

UK – 5 Hospitals with Norovirus

BBCNorovirus

The diarrhoea and vomiting bug norovirus has spread to five hospitals across north Wales, with 31 patients falling ill, a health board says.

Visitors are being urged to help stop the infection at Ysbyty Gwynedd, along with Dolgellau, Colwyn Bay, Glan Clwyd and Wrexham Maelor hospitals.

Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board says there are restrictions on admissions at eight wards.

The number of norovirus infections in the UK is at higher levels than normal.

BBC News

 

USA – Norovirus Healthcare Professionals Meeting

Food Safety News

Around 90 people fell ill with gastrointestinal symptoms after attending a meeting of women healthcare professionals at the Oregon Zoo last week.

The meeting was attended by 220 members of the Women’s Healthcare Associates group last Wednesday morning. After the event, nearly 100 people became sick with what officials believe was Norovirus infection, according to The Oregonian.

“Norovirus is the most likely culprit,” Dr. Kristina Hedberg, a state epidemiologist, told the paper.