The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has weighed in on the Cavi papaya Salmonella Uganda outbreak, declaring the outbreak over as of September 12, 2019, with 81 people sick in 9 states. That's an increase of 10 more illnesses and one more affected state since the last update. Twenty-seven people were hospitalized because they were so ill. No deaths were reported. The case count by state is: Connecticut (15), Delaware (1), Florida (2), Massachusetts (6), New Jersey (22), New York (29), Pennsylvania (4), Rhode Island (1), and Texas (1). Illness onset dates range from January 14, 2019 to July 16, 2019. Most of the illnesses occurred since April, 2019. The patient age range is from less than one year to 90 years. Of 48 people who identified their ethnicity, 31, or 65%, … [Read more...]
Wild-Caught Yellowfin Tuna Loins Recalled; Scombroid Illnesses Reported
Alfa International Inc. of Medley, Florida, is recalling refrigerated, wild-caught yellowfin tuna loins because of potentially elevated levels of histamine. This amino acid can produce an allergic reaction called scombroid fish poisoning. Five people have been sickened. The company thinks these illnesses were "isolated incidents," but has issued the recall as a precaution. The tuna loins were sold at Baker’s, Dillon’s, Gerbes, JayC Food, Kroger, and Payless stores in these states: Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Missouri, Mississippi, Nebraska, Ohio, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia. The recalled tuna loins were labeled as either Yellowfin Tuna Steaks or Seasoned Yellowfin Tuna Steaks. They were sold from either the … [Read more...]
Salmonella Uganda Outbreak Potentially Linked to Cavi Papayas Ends with 81 Sick
The Salmonella Uganda outbreak potentially linked to Cavi papayas imported from Mexico by Agroson's LLC has ended with 81 sick in 9 states, according to the CDC; the FDA's investigational activities are still ongoing. Twenty-seven people were hospitalized because they were so sick. That's an increase of 10 more illnesses and one more state since the last update in July 2019. No deaths have been reported. The patient case count by state is: Connecticut (15), Delaware (1), Florida (2), Massachusetts (6), New Jersey (22), New York (29), Pennsylvania (4), Rhode Island (1), and Texas (1). The last illness onset date was July 16, 2019. The papayas potentially linked to this outbreak are no longer available for purchase, so the FDA says that consumers no longer need to avoid or withhold … [Read more...]
Hepatitis A in Food Worker at Dixie Depot Courtyard Lane Deli
A food worker of Dixie Depot Courtyard Lane deli, located at 6241 Highway 613 in Lucedale, Mississippi, has been diagnosed with hepatitis A, according to the Mississippi State Department of Health. Anyone who ate there during the following dates and times may have been exposed to the virus. That employee was at the facility from August 19-21, 2019 from 2:00 pm to 10:00 pm; from August 23-24, 2019 from 2:00 pm to 10:00 pm; and from August 26-31, 2019 from 2:00 pm to 10:00 pm. MSDH State Epidemiologist Dr. Paul Byers said in a statement, "While the risk of transmission is likely low, the management and staff of Dixie Depot are cooperating with us to prevent new illnesses as a result of this exposure. We recommend that anyone who ate at this restaurant during these times should … [Read more...]
Shigella Outbreak Declared in Amador County, California
A Shigella outbreak has been declared in Amador County, California according to news reports. That county is located in the eastern part of Northern California and includes the cities of Jackson, Pine Grove, and Ione. Shigellosis is caused by the Shigella bacteria. Symptoms of this infection include fever, nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramps, and diarrhea that may be bloody. Some people can develop toxemia as a complication of this infection. Symptoms usually begin one to four days after exposure to the contagious bacteria. Dehydration is a serious complication of this infection. Some people may be carriers of the bacteria and not develop any symptoms at all. If you have been experiencing these symptoms, see your doctor. You may be part of this Shigella outbreak. Shigella … [Read more...]
CDC Tracks the Hepatitis A Outbreaks Across the Country
The CDC is keeping track of the hepatitis A outbreaks across the country that have sickened thousands and killed many Americans. Since the first outbreak was identified in 2016, 30 states have declared emergencies because of the illnesses in their area. As of September 6, 2019, there have been 25,484 cases of hepatitis A diagnosed across the country. Of those cases, 15,330 patients, or 60%, have been hospitalized, and 254 people have died. Hepatitis A is a very contagious virus that attacks the liver. People who are more likely to suffer serious complications from this infection are those with compromised immune systems and chronic illnesses, as well as people with liver disease. The states with the most cases in these hepatitis A outbreaks are: Florida (2903), Indiana … [Read more...]
Two More Illnesses in Philadelphia E. coli Outbreak Brings Total to 16
The Philadelphia E. coli outbreak has now sickened two more people, according to news reports. There are now 16 people sickened in that outbreak, which officials think is linked to restaurants in the area. However, officials are not releasing the names of restaurants they think are involved in this outbreak. James Garrow, spokesperson for the health department, said in a statement, "The Health Department's investigation, like all foodborne illness investigations, takes time. This a wide-ranging investigation that asks very sick people to list every single thing that they’ve eaten or drank, at the level of every individual ingredient, during the period when they were exposed to the bug. This generates a massive list of possible items and locations that may have been the … [Read more...]
Scombroid Outbreak Associated with Kroger Yellowfin Tuna Steaks
The FDA is advising consumers not to eat yellowfin tuna steaks from some Kroger stores. The states affected by this recall are Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Missouri, Mississippi, Nebraska, Ohio, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia. On September 4, 2019, the FDA became aware of multiple scombroid poisoning cases in people who consumed tuna steaks purchased from three separate Kroger stores in Ohio. On September 5, 2019, Kroger agreed to remove all yellowfin tuna steaks from their stores in the above states. They are also notifying consumers who had purchased this product to throw it away or return it to the place of purchase. This product may be sold as raw yellowfin tuna steaks at the seafood counter, or seasoned in … [Read more...]
Salmonella Outbreak Associated With Restore Public House in La Crosse WI
A Salmonella outbreak associated with steak tartare served at Restore Public House in La Crosse, Wisconsin has sickened 17 people, Jen Rombalski, Health Director of the La Crosse County Health Department told Food Poisoning Bulletin in an email. Steak tartare is made from beef that is finely chopped, mixed with other ingredients, and served raw. This food is considered "high risk." The restaurant prepared it properly, according to public health officials. Restaurants can serve these foods, according to Ms. Rombalski, as long as they post an advisory telling consumers that the food is risky to consume. The issue with foods like this is it doesn't matter how well the food is handled. Raw meats, especially ground beef, are often contaminated with pathogens such as Salmonella and E. … [Read more...]
Philadelphia E. coli Outbreak Sickens At Least 14
A Philadelphia E. coli outbreak has sickened at least 14 people, according to a Health Alert issued by the Philadelphia Department of Public Health. Public health officials "have identified a few shared restaurant exposures," in their ongoing case investigation, but no one restaurant or food has been named so far. In the past, E. coli outbreaks have been linked to ground beef, flour, animals at county fairs, raw milk, and lettuce. Just about any food can be contaminated with this pathogen through cross-contamination. The source of E. coli is typically found in the guts of ruminant animals such as cows and goats and is shed in their feces. Person-to-person transmission is also possible because the infectious does is small; just 10 bacteria. The patient age range in this outbreak … [Read more...]
