The deadly cantaloupe Salmonella outbreak has ended in Canada and the United States, with almost 600 sick, 226 hospitalized, and 15 deaths. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention declared the U.S. outbreak over on January 19, 2024, and Public Health Canada declared it over on January 29, 2024. The case count by state in the U.S. is: Alaska (1), Arizona (15), Arkansas (2), California (56), Colorado (11), Connecticut (2), Florida (4), Georgia (8), Illinois (22), Indiana (9), Iowa (12), Kansas (2), Kentucky (10), Maryland (9), Massachusetts (2), Michigan (7), Minnesota (29), Mississippi (1), Missouri (15), Montana (3), Nebraska (7), Nevada (5), New Hampshire (1), New Jersey (8), New Mexico (2), New York (14), North Carolina (7), North Dakota (1), Ohio (14), Oklahoma (4), … [Read more...]
New Data Shows Rising Antibiotic Resistance Among Foodborne Pathogens
Bad news about antibiotic resistance and food poisoning: New surveillance data from European Union member states shows rising antibiotic resistance to a medically important antibiotic among foodborne pathogens. The report focuses on antibiotic resistance levels in Salmonella, Campylobacter, E. coli, and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). The bacteria that were analyzed were taken from humans, pigs, calves, broiler chickens, and turkey. Resistance to the critically important antibiotic ciprofloxacin is common in some species of Salmonella taken from patient isolates. Resistance to ciprofloxacin ranged from high to very high in Campylobacter recovered from people, food producing animals, and poultry. This resistance makes infections much more difficult to treat. In … [Read more...]
Top 10 Multistate Food Poisoning Outbreaks For 2019
These top 10 multistate food poisoning outbreaks for 2019 sickened thousands of people, hospitalized hundreds, and killed some people. They ranged from multiple cyclospora outbreaks to outbreaks linked to ground beef, turkey and chicken, pig ear dog treats, and romaine lettuce. Many lawsuits were filed in response to these outbreaks. Cyclospora Outbreaks. This collection of individual and multistate outbreaks sickened more than 2400 people in 2019. This number represents a substantial increase over the cyclospora outbreaks in 2017 and 2018. JBS Tolleson ground beef Salmonella Newport outbreak. This outbreak sickened more than 400 people and hospitalized 117. Several recalls were issued, since the ground beef was sold under many different brand names. Raw Turkey Salmonella … [Read more...]
Salmonella in Cucumbers Sickens 85 in Arizona, 1 Dead
Salmonella in cucumbers has sickened at least 85 people in Arizona, killing one of them, according to the Arizona Department of Health Services. The cases, which have been reported from Apache, Coconino, Maricopa, Pima, Pinal, and Yuma counties, are part of a 33-state outbreak that has sickened 558 people. The outbreak has been linked to cucumbers grown in Mexico and distributed in the U.S. by Andrew & Williamson Fresh Produce of San Diego, California. Three strains of Salmonella Poona are associated with this outbreak. Four state health departments – Arizona, California, Montana, and Nevada – have isolated Salmonella from Andrew & Williamson cucumbers collected from various locations. The Nevada, Arizona and Montana health departments have all isolated outbreak strains from … [Read more...]
Arizona Woman is Third Death in Cucumber Salmonella Outbreak
An Arizona woman from Pima County is the third person to die in the 31-state cucumber Salmonella outbreak. The outbreak, which has sickened 418 people and killed two others, includes 85 cases in Arizona - thirteen more than the CDC reported three days ago. Sixteen of those cases are in Pima County. Most of the Pima County cases are in older adults and children. Four are adults over 55, nine are children younger than 12. Six Pima County cases have required hospitalization and now, one of them has died. The woman "had serious underlying health conditions and died while being treated for her illness in an area hospital," the health department said. “This circumstance is a saddening reminder that illnesses that often don’t cause a high level of harm to most people can have a devastating … [Read more...]
Arizona Stores That Sold Cucumbers Linked to Salmonella Outbreak
With 66 reported cases, Arizona has been hardest hit by the deadly 27-state Salmonella outbreak linked to cucumbers imported from Mexico. Grocery stores in Arizona that sold the recalled cucumbers include Walmart, WinCo and Food 4 Less. Andrew and Williamson Fresh Produce of San Diego issued a recall for the cucumbers on September 5. The recall includes cucumbers sold at the these stores from August 1 through September 3. These stores have removed the recalled cucumbers from all locations. Consumers who have any of these cucumbers at home should not eat them. Those who purchased and consumed them already should monitor themselves for symptoms. See a doctor and mention possible exposure to Salmonella if these symptoms develop. Stool tests can determine if an illness is linked to the … [Read more...]
