There are now at least 82 children sick with lead poisoning after eating recalled WanaBana cinnamon fruit purees, according to the FDA. The FDA is continuing to investigate how the product was contaminated with lead. The case count by state is: Alabama (1), Arkansas (1), California (1), Connecticut (1), Florida (1), Georgia (2), Iowa (1), Illinois (5), Indiana (1), Kentucky (3), Louisiana (4), Massachusetts (3), Maryland (6), Michigan (7), Missouri (2), North Carolina (5), Nebraska (2), New Hampshire (1), New Jersey (1), New Mexico (1), New York (8), Ohio (3), Pennsylvania (2), South Carolina (2), Tennessee (3), Texas (3), Virginia (2), Washington (4), Wisconsin (2), West Virginia (1), and Unknown (3). Report dates range from October 17, 2023 to December 20, 2023. The vast majority … [Read more...]
Number 4 Outbreak of 2023: Leafy Greens Listeria Outbreak
The number 4 outbreak of 2023 is the leafy greens Listeria outbreak that sickened at least 19 people in 16 states, according to the CDC. This outbreak remains a mystery; the government did not name a brand name, farm, or specific type of product that made those people sick. The case count by state was: Arkansas (1), California (1), Colorado (1), Illinois (1), Louisiana (1), Michigan (2), Missouri (1), North Carolina (2), Nebraska (1), New York (1), Oklahoma (1), Pennsylvania (1), South Dakota (1), Texas (1), Washington (1), and Wisconsin (2). Samples were collected from July 3, 2018 to March 31, 2023. The patient age range is from less than 1 to 96 years. Eighteen people were hospitalized because they were so sick. This was a relatively large outbreak for this type of pathogen. … [Read more...]
Campylobacter Outbreak From Pacific Oyster Fanny Bay Oysters
A Campylobacter outbreak is potentially linked to Pacific Oyster Fanny Bay oysters and Oyster Malaspina Live oysters and has sickened two people: One in Utah and one in Wisconsin, according to the FDA. The government is advising restaurants and food retailers not to serve these Pacific Oyster Fanny Bay oysters that were harvested on 11/08/2023 from harvest area BC 14-8 with Landfile #1402294, and Oysters Malaspina Live oysters, harvested on 11/09/2023 from harvest area BC 14-8 with Landfile #278761. The oysters are from British Columbia, Canada. If you bought those oysters harvested from those areas on those dates, discard them. The oysters may have been distributed to states other than Utah and Wisconsin. On December 18, 2023, the Utah Shellfish Authority notified the FDA of two … [Read more...]
Number 6 Outbreak of 2023: Gold Medal Flour Salmonella Outbreak
The number six outbreak of 2023 is the Gold Medal flour Salmonella outbreak that sickened at least 14 people in 13 states. Three people were hospitalized because they were so sick. The case count by state is: California (1), Illinois (2), Iowa (1), Minnesota (1), Missouri (1), Nebraska (1), New Jersey (1), New York (1), Ohio (1), Oregon (1), Tennessee (1), Virginia (1), and Washington (1). Illness onset dates ranged from December 6, 2022 to May 2, 2023. The patient age range was from 12 to 81 years. And of the eight people interviewed by public health officials, seven said they ate raw dough or batter. This is a good reminder that flour is a raw agricultural product that can be contaminated with pathogens, and that no one should eat anything made with flour unless it is … [Read more...]
Huntley High School E. coli Outbreak Associated With Food Worker
The Huntley High School E. coli outbreak that took place in September 2023 is associated with an ill food worker, according to a report issued by the McHenry County Health Department in Illinois. Investigators interviewed students, food handlers, and teachers. They also tested food items including ready to eat foods. And investigators studied different events held at the school, including Freshmen football game concessions, the high school cafeteria, and the Varsity football team dinner. A total of 1,526 students and staff were interviewed. Sixteen E. coli cases were identified. All Huntley High School (HHS) cases were students or non-cafeteria staff, and 15 out of the 16 ate at the high school cafeteria on the same day. And all of those 15 patients ate food provided from the cold … [Read more...]
Number Seven Outbreak of 2023: Deadly Peaches Listeria
The number seven outbreak of 2023 is the deadly peaches Listeria monocytogenes outbreak linked to HMC Farms and Signature Farms fresh peaches, nectarines, and plums. At least eleven people in seven states are sick in this outbreak. And the outbreak investigation has not been updated since November 19, 2023. The case count by state is: California (3), Colorado (1), Florida (3), Illinois (1), Kansas (1), Michigan (1), and Ohio (1). The patient age range is from 30 to 80 years. Illness onset dates range from August 22, 2018 to August 16, 2023. Of ten people who gave information about their health to investigators, all have been hospitalized. One death was reported from California. One person suffered preterm labor. The PulseNet system was used to find people who may be part of this … [Read more...]
CDC Updates Lead Poisoning Outbreak Linked to WanaBana
The CDC has updated the lead poisoning outbreak that is linked to recalled WanaBana cinnamon applesauce pouches. The CDC has received these numbers from state and local health departments: confirmed cases 67, probable cases 122, and suspect cases 16. The states where ill children live are: Alabama, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, North Carolina, North Dakota, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin, and West Virginia. The case count numbers are different from FDA numbers because the FDA uses confirmed numbers. As the investigation progresses, cases may move to different … [Read more...]
Number Eight Outbreak of 2023: Frozen Strawberries Hepatitis A
The number eight outbreak of 2023 is the frozen strawberry hepatitis A outbreak that sickened at least 10 people in four states. There were several recalls issued in relation to this outbreak, for Made With Foods frozen strawberries, Kirkland Signature frozen organic whole strawberries, Vital Choice organic strawberries, Simply Nature organic strawberries, PCC Community Market, Trader Joe's Organic Tropical Fruit Blend, Costco Organic Daybreak Blend, and Scenic Fruit frozen strawberries. The case count by state is: Washington (6), California (2), Hawaii (1), and Oregon (1). Illness onset dates ranged from November 24, 2022 to May 27, 2023. The patient age range is from 38 to 64. Four people have been hospitalized because they are so sick. The organic strawberries were imported … [Read more...]
Victor Dog Food Salmonella Outbreak is Number Nine of 2023
The Victor Dog Food Salmonella outbreak is the number nine outbreak of 2023. At least seven people in seven states, mostly infants, have been sickened in this outbreak. The outbreak investigation has not been updated since November 9, 2023. The case count by state is: Alabama (1), California (1), Florida (1), Hawaii (1), Kentucky (1), Minnesota (1), and Oklahoma (1). Most of the patients (86%) are one year old or younger, and the remaining patient is under the age of 65. Illness onset dates range from January 14, 2023 to August 19, 2023. One patient has been hospitalized. In interviews, five of the patients' families said that they had contact with a dog or had a dog in their household. Three of those households fed their pets Victor brand dog food. Whole genome sequencing … [Read more...]
Top 10 Outbreaks Of 2023: #10 Ice Cream House Listeria
It's time for the Top 10 Outbreaks of 2023. Number 10 is the Ice Cream House Listeria Monocytogenes outbreak that took place in the summer of 2023. It sickened at least two people; one lives in New York, the other in Pennsylvania. Both patients were hospitalized. The median age in this outbreak was 77 years. People over the age of 65 are much more likely to suffer serious complications from a Listeria monocytogenes infection. In fact, one of the patients lived in a long term care facility where they were likely served this product. The other patient ought "Soft Serve on the Go" ice cream cups from a grocery store. Whole genome sequencing showed that the bacteria from patient isolates were closely related genetically. This means that they likely got sick from eating the same … [Read more...]
