The CDC is weighing in on the Salmonella outbreak linked to some types of Jif peanut butter, which has sickened at least 14 people in 12 states. Two people have been hospitalized. A recall of several types of the peanut butter has been issued. The case count by state is: Arkansas (1), Georgia (2), Illinois (1), Massachusetts (1), Missouri (1), Ohio (1), North Carolina (1), New York (1), South Carolina (1), Texas (2), Virginia (1), and Washington (1). The patient age range is from less than one to 85. Illness onset dates are from February 17, 2022 through May 1, 2022. Of six people who gave information to investigators, two have been hospitalized, for a rate of 33%, which is high for a Salmonella outbreak. The true number of people sickened is likely much higher than this. Most … [Read more...]
Jif Peanut Butter Salmonella Outbreak Sickens 14 in 12 States
A Jif peanut butter Salmonella Senftenberg outbreak has sickened at least 14 people in 12 states. Two people have been hospitalized. The peanut butter was produced at the J.M. Smucker Company facility in Lexington, Kentucky. The patient case count by state is: Arkansas (1), Georgia (2), Illinois (1), Massachusetts (1), Missouri (1), Ohio (1), North Carolina (1), New York (1), South Carolina (1), Texas (2), Virginia (1), and Washington (1). The last illness onset date was May 1, 2022. We don't yet know the patient age range or first illness onset date. This outbreak could grow since it takes weeks from when a person first feels ill to when samples are tested and reported to the CDC. The distribution of these products was nationwide. They have been confirmed for the states listed … [Read more...]
Acute Pediatric Hepatitis Cases Increase in 36 States
Acute pediatric hepatitis cases in the United States are increasing, and now affect children in 36 states, according to the CDC. The number of persons under investigation (PUI) is now 180. PUI does not meant the case is confirmed. The states and the CDC are "looking broadly" at hepatitis cases of unknown origin in children under the age of 10 since October 2021. This number may change as the medical charts are reviewed. These numbers will be updated weekly. The states and territories with possible cases include Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, … [Read more...]
Employee at Luigi’s Restaurant in Roanoke, VA Diagnosed With Hepatitis A
An employee at Luigi's restaurant in Roanoke, Virginia was recently diagnosed with hepatitis A, according to the Virginia Department of Health. That employee may have had limited involvement handling food before the food was cooked. Cooking food kills the virus that causes hepatitis A, so this situation does not meet the criteria of an exposure. But, "given the high level of sensitivity of hepatitis A in our community and out of an abundance of caution," the Roanoke City Health Department is offering the hepatitis A vaccine to anyone who ate at Luigi's restaurant between the dates of April 26 through May 17, 2022. This is the same city where the Famous Anthony's hepatitis A outbreak occurred. That outbreak sickened and hospitalized dozens of patrons, and at least three people … [Read more...]
Three Minnesota Child Hepatitis Cases Prompt Alert From Officials
Three Minnesota child hepatitis cases have prompted an alert from officials in that state. These cases join the hundreds of children around the world who are sickened with hepatitis of an unknown cause. Officials think that the adenovirus 41 may be the problem. This virus usually;does not cause serious health problems in healthy children, but some of the sick kids test positive for this virus. There are at least 109 children sick with acute hepatitis in the United States alone, and at least 228 cases in 20 other countries, according to the CDC. The states and territories that have reported these illnesses include Alabama, Arizona, California, Colorado, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Louisiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, North Carolina, North Dakota, … [Read more...]
FDA Updates Abbott Nutrition Powdered Infant Formula Cronobacter Issue
The FDA has updated its investigation into the Abbott Nutrition powdered infant formula Cronobacter issues. The investigation into the contamination continues, along with the investigation of consumer complaints and reports of human illness allegedly related to products from the company's Sturgis, Michigan facility. Abbott has "has committed to completing enhanced testing of stored product batches prior to making release determinations." The FDA recognizes that Abbott has conducted "standard product testing," but there were a limited number of samples tested. The FDA also stated that finished product testing does not eliminate the risk of contamination. The enhanced testing "will provide for a greater chance to detect Cronobacter sakazakii, if present; however, this enhanced level … [Read more...]
One U.S. Illness in Kinder Chocolate Salmonella Outbreak
There is one U.S. illness in the Kinder chocolate Salmonella outbreak, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), joining 150 genetically related cases in Europe. The ill persons live in 11 countries. The pathogen is Salmonella Typhimurium. The chocolate was produced by Ferrero. There is no more information on the ill person who lives in the United States. We do not know that person's age, illness onset date, or whether or not he or she has been hospitalized. The outbreak was recognized on March 27, 2022. In the United States, a recall of Kinder chocolates was issued on April 8, 2022. Epidemiological and molecular evidence has linked the outbreak to the chocolate products from Belgium. Those products were distributed to at least 113 countries and territories across all WHO … [Read more...]