There has been a "dramatic increase" in Washington state in the population of pine siskins, a tiny migrating bird. A shortage of conifer cones, the typical food for this bird, has caused this increase. And they are eating at backyard feeders. There has been an explosion of Salmonella infections among those birds. The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) recommends that people remove bird feeders to stop this Salmonella outbreak. All bird species are susceptible to this bacteria that can also threaten human health. Birds are a source of Salmonella and have been known to infect crops with their droppings. Backyard bird feeders are a particular risk since people have to handle them frequently. And the birds may contaminate food in backyard gardens. The Progressive … [Read more...]
New Salmonella Miami Outbreak Announced By FDA
A new Salmonella Miami outbreak has been announced by the FDA in their CORE Table. The only information we have is that 48 people are sick. No food or establishment has been identified. We don't know the patient age range, where the patients live, illness onset dates, or if anyone has been hospitalized. A traceback investigation has been launched. Salmonella outbreaks in the past few years have been linked to dried wood ear mushrooms, backyard poultry, peaches, onions, cut fruit, ground beef, papayas, tahini, raw tuna, pre-cut melon, and ground turkey. In other words, just about any food can be contaminated with enough of this ubiquitous pathogen to make people sick. This is the second unusual Salmonella serotype outbreak that has been announced in the FDA table recently. … [Read more...]
FDA Declares Salmonella Paratyphi Outbreak Over With 18 Sick
On its Outbreak Investigation Table, the FDA has declared the Salmonella Paratyphi outbreak over after sickening 18 people overall. Ten illnesses were confirmed in Minnesota and the eight other illnesses are in three other states, according to the FDA. On that table, the product or products linked to illnesses are officially "not yet identified." The Minnesota Department of Health told Food Poisoning Bulletin on November 19, 2020 that they only knew of the ten illnesses in Minnesota. The FDA told us that the CDC doesn't have enough evidence in their investigation of this outbreak to issue advice to the general public about any food or location to avoid. The patients who live in Minnesota told public health officials that they consumed juices and smoothies and bowls at a … [Read more...]
Thomson International Onion Salmonella Outbreak Number One of 2020
The Thomson International onion Salmonella Newport outbreak was the number one multistate food poisoning outbreak of 2020, sickening at least 1,127 people in 48 states. One hundred sixty seven people were hospitalized because they were so sick. The case count by state is: Alaska (25), Alabama (2), Arizona (39), Arkansas (2), California (128), Colorado (32), Connecticut (2), Delaware (2), Florida (8), Georgia (11), Hawaii (3), Idaho (43), Illinois (54), Indiana (4), Iowa (31), Kansas (3), Kentucky (3), Maine (6), Maryland (7), Massachusetts (2), Michigan (47), Minnesota (19), Mississippi (5), Missouri (11), Montana (72), Nebraska (10), Nebraska (10), Nevada (11), New Hampshire (1), New Jersey (12), New Mexico (3), New York (14), North Carolina (6), North Dakota (9), Ohio (11), … [Read more...]
Bagged Salad Cyclospora Outbreak is Number Two Outbreak of 2020
The bagged salad cyclospora outbreak that sickened at least 701 people in 14 states is the number two multistate food poisoning outbreak of 2020. Thirty-eight people were hospitalized because they were so sick. The bagged salad was produced by Fresh Express and contained carrots, red cabbage, and iceberg lettuce. The case count by state is: Georgia (1), Illinois (211), Iowa (206), Kansas (5), Massachusetts (1), Michigan (4), Minnesota (86), Missouri (57), Nebraska (55), North Dakota (6), Ohio (7), Pennsylvania (2), South Dakota (13), and Wisconsin (47). Illness onset dates ranged from May 11, 2020 through July 24, 2020. The patient age range is from 11 years to 92 years. Exposures were reported in these 13 states: Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, … [Read more...]
Wawona Peaches Salmonella Outbreak Number Three of 2020
The Wawona Peaches Salmonella outbreak was the number three multistate outbreak of 2020, with at least 101 sick in 17 states. There were many primary and secondary recalls of bagged and bulk peaches and peach products related to this outbreak. The patient case count by state was: California (1), Connecticut 91), Illinois (1), Iowa (11), Kansas (1), Kentucky (1), Maryland (1), Michigan (18), Minnesota (27), Missouri (2), New Jersey (8), New York (14), Ohio (1), Pennsylvania (4), Vermont (1), Virginia (3), and Wisconsin (6). Illness onset dates ranged from June 29, 2020 to August 27, 2020. The patient age range was from 1 to 92 years. Of 90 patients who gave information about their illness to investigators, 28 were hospitalized, for a hospitalization rate of 31%, which is … [Read more...]
Salmonella Stanley Wood Ear Mushroom Outbreak Number Four of 2020
The Salmonella Stanley wood ear mushroom outbreak is the number four multistate food poisoning outbreak of 2020. Wood ear mushrooms are also known as kikurage or dried fungus. At least 55 people in 12 states were sickened in this outbreak. Six people were hospitalized because they were so ill. The patient case count by state was: Arizona (1), California (33), Connecticut (1), Georgia (1), Illinois (5), Louisiana (1), New Jersey (2), New York (1), Oregon (1), Pennsylvania (2), Washington (5), and Wisconsin (2). The patient age range is from 2 to 74 years. Illness onset dates ranged from January 21, 2020 to September 19, 2020. These dried wood ear mushrooms were sold only to restaurants and not to consumers. On September 23, 2020, Wismettac Asian Foods recalled dried fungus for … [Read more...]
New Salmonella Potsdam Outbreak Announced by FDA
FDA's CORE Response Teams have published information about food poisoning outbreaks for the last month or so on their CORE Investigation Table. This table lists recent outbreaks caused by E. coli, Salmonella, Listeria monocytogenes, Campylobacter, and other pathogens. This table sometimes links to actionable steps for consumers to take, but may not. At this time, there is no information about the potential food source for the new Salmonella Potsdam outbreak. In the case of this new outbreak that was added to the table today, seven people are sick. The case is active. And no product or establishment has been linked to these illnesses yet. Salmonella Potsdam is a rare pathogen. In fact, there has only been one food poisoning outbreak caused by that bacteria in the last 20 years and … [Read more...]
E. coli Clover Sprouts is the Number Five Multistate Outbreak of 2020
The E. coli O103 outbreak linked to clover sprouts is the number five multistate food poisoning outbreak of 2020. At least 51 people in 10 states were sickened. Most of the patients who were interviewed said they ate sprouts at a Jimmy John's restaurant before they got sick. The E. coli clover sprouts outbreak notice stated that those sprouts are no longer available at Jimmy John's restaurants as of February 24, 2020. The patient case count by state is: Florida (1), Idaho (1), Illinois (7), Iowa (3), Missouri (1), New York (1), Texas (1), Utah (34), Virginia (1), and Wyoming (1). Three people were hospitalized because they are so sick. Illness onset dates ranged from January 6, 2020 to March 15, 2020. The patient age range is from 1 to 79 years. No deaths were reported. In the … [Read more...]
Second Mystery E. coli O157:H7 Outbreak Over After Sickening 40
The second mystery E. coli O157:H7 outbreak, also known as Unknown Source 2, which has been linked to leafy greens, is now over, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). This is the number six multistate outbreak of 2020, with 40 people sick in 19 states. Unfortunately, a specific type or brand of leafy greens was not identified as the source of this outbreak. This outbreak is different from the other two mystery E. coli O157:H7 outbreaks that occurred at the same time: Unknown Source 1 which was the number 8 outbreak of 2020, and Unknown Source 3 which was the number 9 outbreak of 2020. The patient case count by state is: Arizona (2), California (6), Illinois (2), Indiana (1), Kansas (4), Michigan (3), Minnesota (2), Missouri (3), North Dakota (4), Ohio … [Read more...]
