Montgomery County has updated the deadly hepatitis A restaurant outbreak associated with Gino's Ristorante & Pizzeria with more information. Three deaths are linked to this outbreak. There are thirteen cases under investigation. Ten are confirmed and three remain suspect. Ongoing interviews with patients have confirmed that the exposure occurred in late November and no longer presents a risk to the public. MCOPH's Division of Environmental Field Services has lifted the closure of Gino's Ristorante & Pizzeria in West Norriton, Pennsylvania after a conducting a re-opening inspection on Thursday, January 20, 2022. During the inspection, public health officials emphasized the requirement of proper and thorough hand washing and glove/utensil use when handling ready-to-eat … [Read more...]
Montgomery County Updates Deadly Hepatitis A Restaurant Outbreak
Gino’s Ristorante & Pizzeria Hepatitis A Outbreak Update
The Gino's Ristorante & Pizzeria Hepatitis A outbreak has been updated with more information, according to news reports. A second death has been confirmed, and a third death is being investigated in relation to this outbreak. Ten cases are confirmed and three probable cases are under investigation by public health officials. The outbreak was confirmed by the Montgomery County Health Department in Pennsylvania on January 7, 2021, and is associated with the restaurant at this time. The restaurant is located at 2401 Main Street in Norristown, Pennsylvania, located in West Norriton Township in that state. Gino's Ristorante & Pizzeria management has denied responsibility for the outbreak and has issued a statement that says, in part, "We offer our heartfelt condolences to the … [Read more...]
Salmonella Uganda Outbreak Linked to Pet Bearded Dragons
A Salmonella Uganda outbreak linked to pet bearded dragons has sickened at least 44 people in 15 states, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Fifteen people have been hospitalized because they are so ill. The patient case count by state is: Alabama (1), Arkansas (2), California (3), Connecticut (1), Florida (1), Kansas (1), Louisiana (1), Massachusetts (1), Minnesota (1), Missouri (1), Montana (2), Nebraska (1), Nevada (2), New Mexico (1), New York (1), Oregon (3), Pennsylvania (2), Rhode Island (3), South Carolina (1), South Dakota (2), Texas (2), Utah (2), Virginia (1), Washington (4), and Wisconsin (4). The patient age range is from less than one to 84 years. Illness onset dates range from December 24, 2020 to December 2, 2021. The hospitalization … [Read more...]
BrightFarms Salmonella Outbreak Investigated by FDA
The BrightFarms Salmonella outbreak that occurred in the summer of 2021 has been investigated by the FDA. In the report released today, the agency states that this is "believed to be FDA’s first domestic investigation of a foodborne illness outbreak associated with leafy greens" that were grown in a Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) operation. The CDC investigation of this outbreak is included in the relevant links section of the report. The outbreak, which was associated with the consumption of packaged leafy greens from BrightFarm's indoor hydroponic operation, sickened at least 31 people in four states. Twenty-six of 27 patients said they ate leafy greens before they got sick. The firm's products were specifically named by 14 patients. The outbreak strain of Salmonella … [Read more...]
New E. coli O121:H19 Outbreak on FDA CORE Investigation Table
A new E. coli O121:H19 outbreak has been posted on the FDA's CORE Outbreak Investigation Table. This outbreak, which has sickened at least four people, has already ended. The investigation, however, is still active and traceback has been initiated. The FDA stated, "A new outbreak of E. coli O121: H19 with an unidentified vehicle has been added. This outbreak does not appear to be ongoing, as the last illness onset occurred in November 2021. FDA has initiated traceback and other investigational activities in an effort to learn more about possible sources or routes of contamination." We'll keep you informed as the investigation into this new E. coli O121:H19 outbreak continues. And the outbreak of Salmonella Javiana, which sickened at least 65 people, has also ended with no … [Read more...]
Gino’s Ristorante & Pizzeria Closed in Deadly PA Hepatitis A Outbreak Investigation
Gino's Ristorante & Pizzeria in West Norriton Township, Pennsylvania has been temporarily closed in the deadly hepatitis A outbreak announced this week by Montgomery County officials. The restaurant is located at 2401 Main Street in Norristown. The closure will remain in place while public health officials investigate this outbreak. As of January 7, 2021, 11 cases are under investigation. That is an increase of three cases since the outbreak was announced. Nine cases are confirmed. Of the nine people who are confirmed, seven have been hospitalized. One death is confirmed, and an additional death is under investigation. The exposure to the virus allegedly occurred in late November, 2021, according to the county press release. The source of the virus is under investigation. And … [Read more...]
CDC Reduces Case Count in Simple Truth Power Greens E. coli Outbreak
The CDC reduces case count in the Simple Truth Power Greens E. coli O157:H7 outbreak in an unusual move. The original outbreak notice stated that 13 people in six state were sick. Now there are 10 people sick in four states. California and Mississippi were dropped from the state count, and the number of people sick in Washington state decreased from seven to six. This happened because the case definition was updated. Three people were infected with E. coli bacteria that were not as closely related genetically to the rest in this outbreak. And none of those patients said they ate Organic Power Greens before they got sick. The case count by state is now: Alaska (2), Ohio (1), Oregon (1), and Washington (6). The patient age range is from 26 to 79 with a median age of 59. Of ten … [Read more...]
Josie’s Organics Baby Spinach E. coli Outbreak Ends With 15 Sick
The Josie's Organics baby spinach E. coli O157:H7 outbreak has ended with 15 people sick in 10 states, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). One more person, who lives in California, was added to the case count since the last update on December 3, 2021. The outbreak has ended as of January 6, 2021. The patient case count by state is: California (1), Indiana (4), Iowa (1), Michigan (1), Minnesota (2), Missouri (1), Nebraska (1), Ohio (1), Pennsylvania (1), and South Dakota (2). Illness onset dates ranged from October 13, 2021 to November 8, 2021. Patient ages ranged from one to 76 years. Four people were hospitalized, for a hospitalization rate was 27%. And three people developed hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a complication of an E. coli infection that … [Read more...]
Eight Sick and One Possible Death in PA Hepatitis A Outbreak
Eight people are sick and there is one possible death in a Pennsylvania hepatitis A outbreak that is associated with an unnamed Italian restaurant, according to a health advisory issued by the Pennsylvania Department of Health (PADOH) and the Montgomery County Office of Public Health (MCOPH). That restaurant is located in Montgomery County in Southeast Pennsylvania. The eight cases are all lab-confirmed. Of seven people who gave information to public health investigators about their health, six, or 86%, have been hospitalized. One death is under investigation at this time. Healthcare providers in the area should consider hepatitis A as a diagnosis in anyone who presents with jaundice or elevated liver enzymes and clinically compatible symptoms of the disease. All cases must be … [Read more...]
FDA CORE Outbreak Table Has Six Active Investigations
The FDA CORE Outbreak Table has six active food poisoning investigations currently; all but one has been identified or solved. The Salmonella Javiana outbreak, which was announced on November 24, 2021, is still not identified, and the number of people sickened in that outbreak has increased to 64. No recall has been initiated, although traceback has begun, on-site inspection has been started, and sample collection and analysis has been initiated. When there is some concrete action that consumers can take, the FDA should update the investigation. The other five active outbreaks include: The E. coli O157:H7 9outbreak linked to Simple Truth and Nature's Basket Organic Power Greens, which has sickened at least 13 people in six states. Four people have been hospitalized, and one … [Read more...]
