A possible food poisoning outbreak at a catered event hosted by North American Lighting Co. in Muscle Shoals, Alabama is being investigated by the Colbert and Lauderdale County Health Departments, in conjunction with the Alabama Department of Health (ADH). Thirty-six people have reported symptoms of gastrointestinal distress. The event was held on Sunday, October 15, 2017. Those sickened report vomiting and diarrhea lasting less than 24 hours. Officials are not saying what bacteria they suspect, but these symptoms, with such short duration and fast onset, are indicative of Clostridium perfringens food poisoning. These types of outbreaks typically occur at restaurants, institutions, and during catered events. Clostridium perfringens bacteria grow in food when the … [Read more...]
Hepatitis A in Food Worker at Marco’s Pizza in Anniston, AL
A food handler has been diagnosed with hepatitis A at Marco's Pizza in Anniston, Alabama, according to Alabama Public Health. Customers who consumed food, whether by pickup or delivery, from that facility between September 26 and October 2, 2017 should be vaccinated against the virus. If you ate food prepared there before September 28, 2017, it's too late for a vaccination. That shot is only effective if given within two weeks of exposure to the virus. Depending on your age and other factors, you should get the hepatitis A or immune globulin vaccination; your doctor will determine which one is appropriate. The hepatitis A vaccine is given to people 12 months to 40 years who have never been vaccinated. Anyone over the age of 40 is usually given the immune globulin … [Read more...]
Indelible Catering Turns in Food Permit After AL Outbreak
The owner of Indelible Catering in Moulton, Alabama has surrendered his food service permit to the Department of Public Health. That facility prepared food for an event in Sheffield, Alabama on Saturday, November 12, 2016. At least 99 people were sickened with Salmonella enteritidis infections after attending that event. Twenty-two people were hospitalized because their illness was so severe. The Alabama Department of Public Health issued an emergency order on November 16, 2016 to prevent Indelible Catering from preparing food while the outbreak was fineg investigated. Dr. Scott Harris, Assistant State Health Officer said, "the health department's priority is the health of the public and preventing any additional foodborne illnesses. Make sure the caterer you hire for any event has … [Read more...]
Alabama Salmonella Outbreak Linked to Catered Meal
A catered meal at a private event in Colbert County, Alabama is likely linked to a Salmonella outbreak that sickened at least 99 people and hospitalized 22, according to the Alabama Department of Public Health. About 150 people attended the event on November 12, 2016. Eighteen of the hospitalized persons have been discharged and are at home, and the remaining hospitalized patients are recovering. Preliminary results indicate that the state health department laboratory has identified Salmonella enteriditis in food specimens of cooked chicken and green beans. The investigation is still ongoing and officials are looking at different foods as suspect. Dr. Karen Landers, Assistant State Health Officer states that chicken was likely the primary source, as raw chicken is often … [Read more...]
Salmonella Outbreak Sickens 77, Hospitalizes 12 in AL
A presumptive Salmonella outbreak in Colbert County, Alabama has sickened at least 77 people and sent 12 to the hospital last weekend. The private event was held on Saturday, November 12, 2016. All of the patients are recovering at this time. Public health officials with the Colbert County Health Department have been investigating this outbreak since Monday, November 14, 2016. Public health officials have been interviewing patients, obtaining patient specimens, inspecting the food source, and obtaining food samples. All of the samples are being processed by the Alabama Department of Public Health's laboratory. Initial patient specimens tested presumptive positive for Salmonella. It takes longer to test food specimens, so the results from those tests will be available later in the … [Read more...]
Foodborne Outbreak Sickens 40 in Shoals, Alabama
A foodborne illness outbreak in Shoals Alabama sickened at least 40 people last weekend, Karen Landers of the Alabama Department of Public Health told Food Poisoning Bulletin. Those sickened have symptoms of vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and fever. Six people have been hospitalized because their illnesses are so severe. The illnesses happened after a private event in Sheffield, Alabama, near Muscle Shoals. About 150 people attended that event. Public health officials believe that "while the number of ill persons and the hospitalized numbers may increase, we may be at the peak of the illness given the average incubation period and course of foodborne outbreaks." Test results may be available late in the week; we will keep you informed of any notices. Officials will not … [Read more...]
Salmonella Outbreak at Johnny Ray’s in Pelham, AL
A Salmonella outbreak at Johnny Ray's in Pelham, Alabama is being investigated by the Alabama Department of Public Health. As of January 8, 2016, four people who ate at the restaurant at 309 Huntley Parkway have tested positive for Salmonella. Two of those sickened have matching patterns of a rare strain of Salmonella Enteritidis. The restaurant was closed on January 8, 2016 by emergency order after the Bureau of Environmental Services visited the facility on December 15 and 22 in 2015 and January 6 in 2016. Other possible cases are being investigated at this time. Final lab and environmental test results are pending and will be released when received by the state. The State Epidemiologist, Dr. Mary G. McIntyre offered advice to help people reduce their risk of this type of foodborne … [Read more...]
Kids Sickened with Food Poisoning at Montgomery, AL Daycare
More than 30 children have been hospitalized with possible food poisoning at the Sunnyside Child Care Center on Norman Bridge Road in Montgomery, Alabama, according to AlabamaNews.net. The children have been suffering from vomiting, diarrhea, and stomach cramps. Some children must remain at the hospital overnight tonight at Baptist South for monitoring. Chief Medical Officer Dr. Tom Miller said lab work is being conducted to determine what caused the illnesses. First impressions is that contaminated food may have been served at the daycare. Other news reports are that more than 60 children have been taken to emergency rooms with food poisoning symptoms. The hospital has opened a unit just for these children, according to the Montgomery Advertiser. Some children were taken to the … [Read more...]
Hepatitis A Outbreak in Clarke County, Alabama
The Alabama Department of Public Health is investigating three cases of hepatitis A in Clarke County, Alabama. Two of the people sickened do have a history of international travel, which increases the risk of contracting this disease. There is no more information about whether this may be a larger outbreak or if any single source is responsible for the spread of the virus. Casual contact does not cause infection. The virus is spread when a person drinks contaminated water or eats contaminated food. Objects can also be contaminated when they are touched by an infected person; another person must touch that object and put their fingers in their mouth. The transmission is "fecal-oral". Signs and symptoms of hepatitis A infection appear 2 weeks to 50 days after exposure. They include … [Read more...]
