Why does Wisconsin have 31 E. coli cases, the most of any other state, in the multistate outbreak linked to romaine lettuce from Salinas, California? Good question. We don't know. But it is true that, at 31 people sick, Wisconsin has more than 1/3 of the illnesses in this massive outbreak. It may be that a distributor in Wisconsin received a shipment of contaminated romaine from the Salinas, California area, which has been identified as the probable source of the pathogen. Wisconsin is just one of 23 states where ill persons live. No single supplier, distributor, farm, or even brand of romaine has been named as the source of the outbreak, although the CDC has named the Salinas growing region. We do know that Wisconsin was the first state to identify the outbreak back in … [Read more...]
Pennsylvania Healthcare Facilities Salmonella Outbreak Sickens 29
A Salmonella outbreak has sickened patients who "spent time" in four Pennsylvania healthcare facilities in the southeastern part of the state, according to a health advisory issued by the Pennsylvania Department of Health. The facilities in question are two hospitals and two long-term care facilities. At least 29 people are sick in this Pennsylvania healthcare facilities Salmonella outbreak. Illness onset dates range from November 19 through November 30, 2019. Officials are identifying cases, ensuring appropriate clinical management, and implementing prevention strategies to try to contain this outbreak. A Salmonella infection is reportable in Pennsylvania; that means that any Salmonella diagnosis must be reported to officials. The advisory tells healthcare facilities to report … [Read more...]
Salinas CA Romaine E. coli HUS Outbreak Investigated by FDA
The Salinas CA romaine E. coli HUS outbreak is being investigated by the FDA, which released a statement yesterday. At least 102 people are sick in 23 states. Fifty-eight people have been hospitalized, and ten patents have developed hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a type of kidney failure that is a complication of this type of infection. The statement says that consumers should not eat romaine lettuce harvested from Salinas, California, as well as products that have been recalled in relation to this investigation. Missa Bay recalled about 75,233 pounds of meat and chicken salad products on November 21, 2019. Romaine lettuce may be voluntarily labeled with a harvest region. If this label has the word "Salinas" on it, don't buy it or eat it. If the romaine you want to buy doesn't … [Read more...]
Salinas Romaine E. coli HUS Outbreak Has Now Sickened 102
The Salinas romaine E. coli HUS outbreak has now sickened at least 102 people in 23 states, according to an update by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Fifty eight people have been hospitalized because they are so sick, and 10 people have developed hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), which is a type of kidney failure. That's an increase of 35 cases in the week since the last update was issued. The case count by state is: Arizona (3), California (4), Colorado (6), Florida (1), Idaho (3), Illinois (1), Iowa (1), Maryland (4), Michigan (1), Minnesota (3), Montana (1), Nebraska (1), New Jersey (7), New Mexico (2), North Carolina (1), Ohio (12), Oregon (1), Pennsylvania (8), South Dakota (1), Texas (4), Virginia (4), Washington (2), and Wisconsin (31). Illness onset … [Read more...]
Texas Shigellosis Outbreak in Stockton and Pecos County Sickens 27
A Texas Shigellosis outbreak in Stockton and Pecos County has sickened at least 27 people, according to the Texas Department of State Health Services. This bacteria causes a diarrheal illness, and is spread through consuming contaminated food and water, as well as person-to-person and through contact with contaminated water. Late last month Brazoria County announced that there is a shigellosis outbreak in that county in Texas. The first illness onset date was in October. Three patients have been hospitalized because they are so sick. No single source of the Shigella bacteria has been identified by government officials at this time. Symptoms of shigellosis can also include fever, vomiting, nausea, and stomach cramps. Some people may feel the need to evacuate their bowels even when … [Read more...]
Fresh Thyme Blackberries Hepatitis A Outbreak Sickens 16 in 6 States
The Fresh Thyme blackberries hepatitis A outbreak has now sickened 16 people in 6 states, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Epidemiologic and traceback evidence has found that those sickened in this outbreak ate fresh, conventionally grown blackberries from that store chain. The patient case count by state is: Indiana (2), Michigan (1), Minnesota (1), Nebraska (7), Wisconsin (4), and Missouri (1). The patient age range is from 14 to 73 years. Illness onset dates ranges from October 8, 2019 to November 15, 2019. Of 15 people who gave information about their health to the government, 9, or 60%, have been hospitalized. That is a very high hospitalization rate for hepatitis A outbreaks. Of people who were interviewed, 15 out of 15 said they ate fresh … [Read more...]
E. coli Outbreak Associated with Four Seattle Evergreens Restaurants
Seven people are sick in an E. coli outbreak associated with four Seattle Evergreens restaurants, according to the Seattle King County Health Department. One person has been hospitalized. Those four Evergreen restaurants are all located in Seattle. They are at Pioneer Square at 106 1st Avenue South, in the University District at 4609 Village Ter Northeast, Downtown at 823 3rd Avenue, and the International District at 504 5th Avenue South. The meal dates were November 5 through November 11, 2019. Illness onset dates ranged from November 10 through November 15, 2019. The health department is still investigating and doesn't have conclusive results about what caused this Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) outbreak. Genetic testing on isolates from four of the seven ill persons … [Read more...]
Salmonella Outbreak Doug Saul’s Bar-B-Que in Nashville, NC Sickens 14
A Salmonella outbreak Doug Saul's Bar-B-Que & Seafood restaurant located in Nashville, North Carolina has sickened at least 14 people, according to the Nash County Health Department. Ten of those people named the restaurant as a source of some of the food they ate before they got sick. That facility is located at 813 Western Avenue in Nashville. The Nash County Health Department immediately suspended the food establishment operating permit of the restaurant, stating that there were "conditions present constituting an imminent health hazard." The North Carolina Department of Agriculture Food Protection Division found Salmonella in equipment and food that is "likely to cause an immediate threat of serious adverse health effects." This finding was reported as part of an … [Read more...]
E. coli HUS Romaine Outbreak Grows to 67 Sick and 39 Hospitalized
The E. coli HUS romaine outbreak has now sickened at least 67 people in 19 states. This outbreak is growing rapidly; four days ago there were just 40 people sickened. Thirty-nine people have been hospitalized so far, and six have developed hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a type of kidney failure. The patient case count by state is: Arizona (3), California (4), Colorado (1), Idaho (3), Illinois (1), Maryland (4), Michigan (1), Minnesota (3), Montana (1), Nebraska (1), New Jersey (1), New Mexico (2), Ohio (12), Oregon (1), Pennsylvania (3), Texas (2), Virginia (2), Washington (1), and Wisconsin (21). Illness onset dates range from September 24, 2019 to November 14, 2019. The patient age range is from 3 to 89 years. Fifty people sickened in this E. coli HUS romaine outbreak had … [Read more...]
One Minnesota Patient in Romaine E. coli O157:H7 HUS Outbreak
There is one Minnesota patient in Romaine E. coli O157:H7 HUS outbreak announced last week by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). This patient is part of a fast growing outbreak that climbed from 17 sick on November 19, 2019 to 40 sick on November 22, 2019. That patient has developed hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a type of kidney failure that is a complication of a Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) infection. This complication most often affects children under the age of five. That patient has been hospitalized. The outbreak has affected 40 people in 16 states. The patient age range is from 3 to 89 years. Illness onset dates range from September 4, 2019 to November 10, 2019, but the notice states that "additional cases are under investigation," so the … [Read more...]
