The CDC has issued a Health Alert Network (HAN) Alert for conducting adenovirus testing in children with acute Hepatitis. This comes after reports from Alabama of nine children under the age of 10 presenting with symptoms of severe hepatitis. Three of those children were in acute liver failure; those patients tested positive for adenovirus. Officials think these illnesses may be related to adenovirus 41. None of the children had COVID-19 and none had any previous health conditions. Two of the patients required liver transplants. Hepatitis A, B, C, D, and E are viruses, but hepatitis just means inflammation of the liver, and can be caused by chemicals, toxins, medications, alcohol use, and other viruses. Patients with liver inflammation can get very sick and suffer liver failure; … [Read more...]
Alabama Severe Pediatric Hepatitis Cases May Be Adenovirus
Alabama severe pediatric hepatitis cases may be adenovirus, according to the Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH). The CDC, along with pediatric healthcare providers, are investigating this increase in cases. The children, who live in different areas of Alabama, presented with symptoms of a gastrointestinal illness and varying degree of liver injury, including liver failure. There is a possible association with Adenovirus 41. Nine children under the age of 10 have tested positive for adenovirus. Two of these children have needed liver transplants. An epidemiological link among the patients has not be established. None of the children had any underlying health conditions before they got sick. ADPH has issued a Health Alert Network notification on February 1, 2022 to try to … [Read more...]
Alabama E. coli Outbreak Sickens Four Children, Two WIth Rotavirus
An Alabama E. coli outbreak has sickened four children in the northeastern part of the state. In addition, the Alabama Department of Public Health is investigating two cases of rotavirus. Rotavirus was the leading cause of severe diarrhea among infanta and young children in the U.S. before the vaccine for this pathogen was introduced in 2006. The incident of this illness has decreased significantly after the vaccine. There is no more information about this E. coli O157:H7 outbreak, including if food is involved or if there is another source such as animals. We do not know the ages of the four sick children, when they got sick, or if any of them have been hospitalized or have developed hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), which is a type of kidney failure. Children under the age of … [Read more...]
Huddle House Hepatitis A Employee Diagnosed in Hamilton, Alabama
A Huddle House hepatitis A case has been diagnosed in an employee of the restaurant, which is located at 210 River Road in Hamilton, Alabama, according to the Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH). The worker was a food handler who worked there from July 9, 2021 through July 21, 2021. Anyone who ate food there, whether it was dine-in, pickup, or delivery, may have been exposed to the virus. Dr. Burnestine Taylor, Medical Officer for Disease Control and Prevention, ADPH said in a statement, "Adults with hepatitis A may have symptoms that include fatigue, low appetite, stomach pain, nausea and jaundice. These symptoms usually resolve within two months of infection. Children less than 6 years of age generally do not have symptoms or have an unrecognized infection. Almost all … [Read more...]
Hepatitis A in Applebee’s Restaurant Employee in Montgomery, AL
Hepatitis A in Applebee's restaurant employee in Montgomery, Alabama has been diagnosed, according to a notice by the Alabama Public Health Department. That restaurant is located at 3195 Taylor Road in Montgomery. The restaurant was closed for a day of cleaning out of an abundance of caution, and had no violations during a recent environmental inspection. Anyone who ate food at that restaurant, whether it was dine-in, delivery, or pickup, from July 8, 2021 through July 16, 2021 may have been exposed to the virus. All of those patrons are eligible for a hepatitis A or immune globulin vaccination. That vaccine is only effective if given within two weeks of exposure, so anyone who ate there on July 8, 2021 needs to get the shot today. You can get the vaccine from your doctors office … [Read more...]
Gravel Ridge Farms Shell Eggs Salmonella Enteritidis Outbreak Ends; Some May Sue
The Salmonella Enteritidis outbreak that is linked to recalled Gravel Ridge Farms shell eggs has ended with 44 people sick in 11 states, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Twelve people in this outbreak were hospitalized because their illnesses were so serious. The case count by state is: Alabama (7), Colorado (1), Georgia (1), Iowa (1), Kentucky (1), Maryland (1), Montana (1), New York (1), Ohio (4), Tennessee (25), and Texas (1). The patient age range is from one year to 94. Of 378 people interviewed, 12 were hospitalized, for a rate of 32%. That's high for a Salmonella outbreak; the typical hospitalization rate for this illness is about 20%. Gravel Ridge Farms recalled their cage-free large eggs with use-by dates from July 25 through October 3, 2018. … [Read more...]
Salmonella Outbreak Linked to Gravel Ridge Farms Shell Eggs Grows; Lawsuits May Be Filed
The Salmonella outbreak linked to recalled Gravel Ridge Farms eggs has grown to include 38 people sick in 7 states, according to the CDC. Ten people have been hospitalized. That's an increase of 24 more ill persons added to the outbreak total since the last update on September 10, 2018. The case count by state is: Alabama (7), Colorado (1), Iowa (1), Kentucky (4), Ohio (4), Montana (1), and Tennessee (23). Illness onset dates range from June 17, 2018 to August 16, 2018. The patient age range is from one year to 94. Thirty-one percent of these people have been hospitalized, which is high for a Salmonella outbreak. The typical hospitalization rate is about 20%. Of the 29 people interviewed in this outbreak, 76% reported eating restaurant dishes made with eggs. The FDA and their … [Read more...]
Lawyer Asks Where Were Gravel Ridge Farms Eggs Linked to Salmonella Outbreak Sold?
Food safety attorney Fred Pritzker wants to know where the cage free shell eggs from Gravel Ridge Farms that are linked to a Salmonella Enteritidis outbreak were sold. "We know that most of those sickened ate the eggs at restaurants. But we don't know the names of those restaurants or where they were located," he said. The Alabama Department of Public Health states that a gastrointestinal outbreak occurred among people who attended a catered event on July 30, 2018. Two of those sickened have confirmed Salmonella Enteritidis infections. The press release from Alabama also states that "Individuals who consumed an undercooked food item made with eggs were almost four times more likely to become ill than those who did not consume the food." The press release also states, "Most of those … [Read more...]
Salmonella Outbreak Linked to Gravel Ridge Farms Eggs Sickens 14 in 2 States; Lawsuits May Be Filed
A Salmonella Enteritidis outbreak linked to recalled Gravel Ridge Farms eggs (cage free) has sickened at least 14 people in two states. Two people have been hospitalized because they are so sick. Twelve people are sick in Tennessee, and two people in Alabama are ill. The recall notice was posted on the FDA website today. The recalled product is cage-free large eggs in packages of a dozen and 2.5 dozen. The recalled eggs have "best if used by" dates of July 25, 21018 through October 3, 2018, although the notice states that consumers should "Return any Gravel Ridge Farms eggs to the store for a refund or throw them away, regardless of the “best if used by” date." The CDC notice tells consumers to then wash and sanitize drawers and shelves in your refrigerator where the eggs were … [Read more...]
Salmonella Outbreak Linked to Recalled Gravel Ridge Farms Eggs in AL, GA, TN
A Salmonella outbreak has been announced in a recall of Gravel Ridge Farms Cage Free Large Eggs by the FDA. The announcement did not state the number of people sickened, where they live, age ranges, or if anyone was hospitalized. The firm was notified by the FDA on September 6, 2018 that their eggs may be contaminated with Salmonella. The recalled product is Gravel Ridge Farms Large Cage Free Eggs, in single dozen and 2.5 dozen flats. The UPC on the product is 7-06970-38444-6, and the use-by dates on the eggs are 7/25/18 though 10/3/18. The eggs were sold between 6/25/2018 and 9/6/6/2018. The eggs were sold mostly in restaurants and retail stores in Alabama, Georgia, and Tennessee. In Atlanta, these stores carried the eggs: Candler Park Market, Grant Park Market, Westview Corner … [Read more...]
