The huge food poisoning outbreak in Ohio linked to one Chipotle restaurant on Sawmill Parkway in Powell, Ohio was caused by Clostridium perfringens, according to an update posted by the Delaware General Health District. At least 647 people have reported symptoms of diarrhea and abdominal cramps after eating at that restaurant. This bacteria grows in protein-rich and other foods, such as beef and gravy, that are held at unsafe temperatures for too long. The danger zone for bacterial growth is 40°F to 140°F. Laws governing restaurants and food handling prohibit foods held at this temperature for precisely this reason. These outbreaks usually occur in restaurants because large quantities of food can often remain at unsafe temperatures for long periods of time. Although food samples … [Read more...]
Chipotle Outbreak in Ohio Caused by Clostridium Perfringens; Lawsuits Filed
McDonald’s Fresh Express Cyclospora Outbreak Sickens 476; Lawsuits Are Filed
The McDonald's Fresh Express cyclospora outbreak linked to their salads has now sickened 476 people, according to the FDA. These ill persons live in 15 states. Twenty-one people have been hospitalized. The case count by state is: Connecticut (1), Florida (1), Iowa (98), Illinois (246), Indiana (8), Kentucky (8), Michigan (2), Minnesota (1), Missouri (52), Nebraska (5), Ohio (15), South Dakota (18), Tennessee (1), Virginia (1), and Wisconsin (10). The patients in Connecticut, Tennessee, Virginia, and Florida purchased McDonald's salads while traveling in another state. In the investigation, FDA officials analyzed an unused package of romaine lettuce and carrot mix produced by Fresh Express in Streamwood, Illinois. They found cyclospora in the product. Fresh Express told the FDA … [Read more...]
Possible Salmonella Outbreak at Indian Taco Dinner in Highland, Kansas
The Kansas Department of Health and Environment and the Doniphan County Health Department are investigating a possible Salmonella outbreak that may be associated with an Election Day Indian Taco Dinner at the Highland United Methodist Presbyterian Church in Highland, Kansas. That dinner took place on August 7, 2018. One person has tested positive with a Salmonella infection after attending the dinner. The two health departments are asking that anyone who attended that dinner or ate food there to complete an online survey to help officials investigate this possible outbreak. You are asked to complete the survey even if you are not ill. The survey asks if the respondent ate Indian tacos, pie, black beans, watermelon, or iced tea at the dinner. Other items listed on the survey … [Read more...]
Salmonella Outbreak in Canada Linked to Frozen Breaded Chicken Grows to 84 Sick
The Salmonella Enteritidis outbreak in Canada that is linked to frozen raw breaded chicken products has grown to include 84 sick people. The outbreak notice says that "poultry, including frozen breaded chicken products containing raw poultry, pose an increased health risk to individuals who handle, prepare or consume these types of foods." Public health officials are warning Canadians to follow food safety practices when they handle, prepare, or consume any type of poultry, including frozen raw breaded chicken products such as chicken nuggets, burgers, strips, and fries. As part of this outbreak investigation, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency has recalled No Name brand Chicken Burgers sold in 1 kg packages. The product has a best before date of February 6, 2019. It was sold … [Read more...]
Perry County Salmonella Outbreak Associated with St. Vincent de Paul Parish Seminary Picnicd
In response to the Salmonella outbreak in Perry County, Missouri, officials at the Perry County Health Department have posted a questionnaire for people who attended the St. Vincent de Paul Parish Seminary Picnic that was held August 3 through August 5, 2018. At least 30 people are sick in this outbreak; three people were hospitalized. The seminary is located in Perryville, Missouri. No more information about this outbreak has been posted by the health department or any other public health official. We don't know if they are focusing on a particular food or if someone who handled food may have been ill. The questionnaire is only asking people who attended the picnic two fill out the form. The questionnaire asks when someone attended the St. Vincent de Paul Parish Seminary picnic, … [Read more...]
Salmonella Outbreak at Arapahoe County Fair in Colorado
A Salmonella outbreak among people who attended the Arapahoe County Fair in Colorado has sickened at least seven people, according to the Tri-County Health Department, Arapahoe County, and the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment. Those sickened attended the fair, or 4-H events associated with the fair, from July 21 to July 29, 2018. Officials have not identified the source of the pathogenic bacteria. The Tri County Health Department is conducting an investigation to determine the source and the outbreak strain. Dr. John M. Douglas, Dr., Executive Director of the Tri-County Health Department, said in a statement, "If you went to the Arapahoe County Fair or attended a 4-H event associated with the Fair and have these symptoms, we encourage you to see your health … [Read more...]
Perry County Salmonella Outbreak in Missouri Sickens 23
A Perry County Salmonella outbreak of unknown origin has sickened at least 23 people in Missouri since August 6, 2018. Perry County Memorial Hospital issued a news release about this outbreak. Those 23 people went to the hospital through the emergency room inn the last week. The patient age range in this Perry County Salmonella outbreak is from 2 to 68. Three of the patients were admitted to the hospital. Two of those patients have been released, but one was transferred to a Cape hospital. The Perry County Memorial Hospital lab director reported the outbreak to the local and state health departments, and an investigation has begun. The state lab will receive cultures from infected pageants to start their epidemiological investigation. No source has been identified, and the … [Read more...]
Shades of Sherwood Campground Cryptosporidium Outbreak Grows to 72
The Shades of Sherwood Campground Cryptosporidium outbreak in Zumbrota, Minnesota has grown to include 72 sick. That is an increase of 69 more patients since the first outbreak notice was posted on August 3, 2018. The Minnesota Department of Health investigators are working with the owner to determine ongoing risks and to take steps to control those risks in the future. Information from the public helped determine the number of illnesses in this outbreak. The owner has taken several steps to prevent more illnesses of this type at the recommendation of health officials. The swimming pool was temporary closed and hyper-chlorinated to kill the parasite. The pool has reopened. The campground posted signs at the pool warning visitors not to swim for two weeks if they have been … [Read more...]
McDonald’s Fresh Express Cyclospora Outbreak Sickens 436; Lawsuits Filed
The McDonald's Fresh Express cyclospora outbreak that is linked to McDonald's salads has now sickened 436 people in 15 states. Twenty people have been hospitalized. The last reported illness started on July 20, 2018. The case count by state is: Connecticut (1), Florida (1), Iowa (95), Illinois (219), Indiana (1), Kentucky (8), Michigan (2), Minnesota (9), Missouri (52), Nebraska (5), Ohio (15), South Dakota (14), Tennessee (1), Virginia (1), and Wisconsin (10). The patients from Connecticut, Tennessee, and Virginia bought salads from McDonald's while traveling in Illinois. The Florida patient purchased a McDonald's salad while traveling in Kentucky. McDonald's stopped serving salads at 3,000 restaurants in the midwest on July 13, 2018. They replaced the supplier of … [Read more...]
Deadly Romaine Lettuce E. coli O157:H7 Outbreak May Be Linked to Cow Feces
The FDA just updated their investigation into the deadly Romaine lettuce E. coli O157:H7 outbreak this summer that sickened 210 people in 36 states and killed 5. Ninety-six people were hospitalized, including 27 who developed hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a type of kidney failure. It seems that canal water in the Yuma Arizona growing region is close to a Concentrated Animal Feeding Operation (CAFO). In other words, it's likely that cow feces contaminated with the pathogenic bacteria got into the canal water that irrigated the romaine lettuce fields in that area. CAFOs are huge cattle operations that can hold more than 100,000 head of cattle at any one time. There is a cluster of romaine lettuce farms nearby. The Environmental Assessment report the FDA is working on will be … [Read more...]
