The ByHeart botulism outbreak strain has been found in a sample of organic whole milk powder used to make the infant formula, according to the FDA. The outbreak strain was also found in a closed product sample of the formula obtained by the FDA. The outbreak strain is Type A. The case count has not changed since December 15, 2025. The case count by state is: Arizona (5), California (12), Idaho (2), Illinois (2), Kentucky (1), Massachusetts (2), Maine (1), Michigan (1) Minnesota (3), North Carolina (2), New Jersey (1), Ohio (1), Oregon (4), Pennsylvania (1), Rhode Island (1), Texas (8), Virginia (1), Washington (2), and Wisconsin (1). The infants range in age from 16 to 264 days. Illness onset dates range from December 24, 2023 to December 1, 2025. All of the infants were treated … [Read more...]
Arizona State Fair Source of 13 E. coli Illnesses in Children
According to information from the Maricopa County Department of Public Health, the Arizona State Fair is the source of 13 E. coli illnesses in children. Those children all had contact with petting zoos or other animal exhibits before they got sick. The state fair was held from September 19 to October 26, 2025. Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) bacteria can be shed by ruminant animals such as cows, goats, and sheep. Those animals do not have the vascular receptors for the Shiga toxins that STEC bacteria produce, so those toxins cannot destroy red blood cells in those animals as they do in people. Courtney Kreuzwiesner, Preparedness Communications Supervisor for the Maricopa County Department of Public Health told Food Poisoning Bulletin, "The Maricopa County Department of … [Read more...]
After Arizona Fair E. coli Outbreak Bill Introduced For Handwashing Stations
After the Arizona fair E. coli outbreak, that sickened an unknown number of children, a bill has been introduced to the Arizona Senate requiring handwashing stations at petting zoos and animal exhibits. SB 1082 was introduced by Senator Kavanaugh. The state fair was held from September 19 to October 26, 2025. The bill would mandate that operators of these types of attractions must make sure that visitors wash their hands with soap and water or use a hand sanitizer right after leaving any area where animals are accessible to the public. In addition, an official would have to be present to supervise this process. And a sign must be prominently displayed at all entrances and exits containing this statement: "For the safety of all persons, participants must wash their hands on … [Read more...]
Deadly August Egg Salmonella Outbreak Number One of 2025
The deadly August Egg Company Salmonella outbreak was the number one outbreak of 2025 with at least 134 people sick in 10 states, 38 hospitalized, and one death. The outbreak was a announced on June 6, 2025 and was declared over on July 10, 2025. The case count by state is: Arizona (8), California (109), Colorado (2), Kansas (1), Kentucky (1), Nebraska (2), New Jersey (2), Nevada (4), Utah (1), and Washington (4). The patient age range is from 1 to 90 years. Illness onset dates ranged from February 24, 2025 to June 6, 2025. Of the 112 people who gave information about their illness to public health investigators, 38 were hospitalized, for a hospitalization rate of 34%, which is much higher than the typical rate of 20% for a Salmonella outbreak. The person who died lived in … [Read more...]
Number 5 Outbreak of 2025: ByHeart Infant Formula Botulism
The number 5 outbreak of 2025 is the Byheart infant formula botulism outbreak that is still ongoing. There are at least 51 infants in 19 states who have been sickened in this outbreak; all have been hospitalized. The case count by state is: Arizona (5), California (12), Idaho (2), Illinois (2), Kentucky (1), Massachusetts (2), Maine (1), Michigan (1) Minnesota (3), North Carolina (2), New Jersey (1), Ohio (1), Oregon (4), Pennsylvania (1), Rhode Island (1), Texas (8), Virginia (1), Washington (2), and Wisconsin (1). The infants range in age from 16 to 264 days. Illness onset dates range from December 24, 2023 to December 1, 2025. All of the infants were treated with BabyBIG®, the FDA-approved treatment for this infection developed by the California Department of Health. The FDA … [Read more...]
Is a Petting Zoo the Cause of Arizona State Fair E. coli Outbreak?
Is a petting zoo the cause of the Arizona State Fair E. coli outbreak? It may be. Food Poisoning Bulletin heard from JP Martin, Media Director of the Arizona Department of Health Services. He said, "On Nov 13, ADHS issued a Healthcare Advisory related to a two-fold increase of E. coli O157:H7, sometimes called STEC (Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli), cases in the month of October, including an increase in hospitalizations involving hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a serious complication linked to this infection. The number of STEC cases reported over the last two weeks have been trending downward. "At this time, ADHS has not confirmed a specific source of this increase. This increase in STEC is currently under active investigation by local public health in partnership with … [Read more...]
Possible E. coli Outbreak at the Arizona State Fair Sickens Children
A possible E. coli outbreak at the Arizona State Fair has sickened children, according to news reports. The fair, held in Phoenix, in Maricopa County, was open from September 19 to October 26, 2025. Some parents of the sick kids said they visited the petting zoo. A nonprofit group, Parker's Promise, reported on illnesses on their Facebook page, stating that several children were hospitalized with hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a type of kidney failure that is a complication of a Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) infection. Petting zoos have long been known to be a source of E. coli. Ruminant animals, such as cows, sheep, and goats, carry E. coli in their intestines, but the pathogen does not make the animals sick. The bacteria is excreted in the animal's feces, which can … [Read more...]
ByHeart Infant Botulism Outbreak Case Count Surges to 23
The ByHeart infant botulism outbreak case count has surged to 23 babies sick, according to the CDC, an increase of eight more illnesses since the last update was issued three days ago. One more state, Michigan, has been added to the investigation. The case count by state is: Arizona (3), California (3), Illinois (2), Kentucky (1), Michigan (1) Minnesota (2), North Carolina (2), New Jersey (1), Oregon (2), Pennsylvania (1), Rhode Island (1), Texas (3), and Washington (1). For 22 infants whose age is available, they range in age from 16 to 200 days. Illness onset dates range from August 9 to November 11, 2025. All of the infants were hospitalized and treated with BabyBIG®, the FDA-approved treatment for this infection developed by the California Department of Health. Infant … [Read more...]
FDA Weighs in on August Egg Salmonella Outbreak
The FDA is weighing in on the August Egg Salmonella outbreak that has sickened at least 79 people in 15 states. The eggs, sold under several different brand names, have been recalled. The case count by state is: Arizona (3), California (63), Kentucky (1), Nebraska (2), New Jersey (2), Nevada (4), and Washington (4). The patient age range is from 1 to 90 years. Illness onset dates range from February 24, 2025 to May 17, 2025. Sixty-one people gave information to investigators,; 21 have been hospitalized, for a hospitalization rate of 34%, which is much higher than the standard 20% hospitalization rate for Salmonella outbreaks. The recalled eggs are brown cage free and brown certified organic eggs. They have a printed Julian Date between "32" and "126" followed by a plant code … [Read more...]
Fresh & Ready Recalls Sandwiches and Snacks For Listeria
Fresh & Ready is voluntarily recalling sandwiches and snacks for possible Listeria monocytogenes contamination. There are illnesses associated with he consumption of some Fresh & Ready products, but no illnesses have been reported to the company in 2025, and no illnesses are linked to these specific products. The recalling firm is Fresh & Ready Foods of San Fernando, California. These items were distributed between April 18,2025 and April 28, 2025 in vending and breakroom areas within corporate offices, medical buildings, and healthcare facilities in the states of Arizona, California, Nevada, and Washington. The recall is limited to the products with use by dates from 4/22/2025 to 5/19/2025. The problem was identified when environmental testing conducted by the FDA … [Read more...]
