The Pure Eire yogurt E. coli outbreak case count has grown to 17, according to a new update by the Washington State Department of Health. One new case from Arizona, who has been infected with the outbreak strain, has been identified. All three of the Arizona cases are considered secondary infections. According to the patient age range chart, the new case is between the ages of 10 and 19. The outbreak case count by county in Washington is: Benton (1), Clark (1), King (9), Snohomish (2), and Walla Walla (1). Three cases are in Yavapai county in Arizona. The patient age range is 0 to nine years (10), 10 to 19 years (3), 20 to 29 years (1), 30 to 39 years (1), and 70 to 79 years (1). Four patients have developed hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a type of kidney failure, and ten patients … [Read more...]
Yogurt E. coli Outbreak: What is a Secondary Food Poisoning Infection?
In the Pure Eire yogurt E. coli outbreak that has sickened at least 16 people in Washington and Arizona, some of the patients have contracted secondary food poisoning infections. This term may not be familiar to everyone. So what is this type of infection? A secondary food poisoning infection occurs when someone gets sick from contact with another person, not by eating contaminated food or drinking contaminated water. Many pathogens can be spread person-to-person, by direct contact and common contact with fomites (surfaces), both through the fecal-oral route. In the Pure Eire yogurt E. coli outbreak, for instance, two children in Arizona are sick with the outbreak strain, but neither consumed the recalled yogurt. Instead, they contracted this infection after having close contact … [Read more...]
Organic Yogurt E. coli Outbreak Expands, Investigation Continues
An E. coli outbreak linked to organic yogurt sold under the brand names Pure Eire and PCC Market now includes 16 cases, a spokesperson told Food Poisoning Bulletin today. Most of the people sickened are children. Ten people have been hospitalized, and four have developed hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a form of kidney failure associated with E. coli infections. The organic yogurt E. coli outbreak includes 14 cases in Washington and two cases in Arizona. Both cases in Arizona are considered secondary infections, meaning the Arizona patients did not eat the yogurt but were in close contact with a visitor from Wahington who did. The grass-fed, organic yogurt associated with the outbreak is produced by Pure Eire Dairy of Othello, WA and sold under the brand names Pure Eire and PCC … [Read more...]
FDA Releases Results of Romaine Lettuce Sampling Assignment
The FDA has released results of their romaine lettuce sampling assignment, which was instituted after years of Shiga toxin-producing E coli (STEC) outbreaks linked to that product. The FDA did not detect any pathogens during the assignment. Unfortunately, this is not unusual and doesn't mean that there will not be any more outbreaks linked to romaine or leafy greens. Contamination can be spotty and can vary with weather conditions and the presence of animals in the field. Furthermore, it's impossible to sample every leaf of romaine lettuce. E. coli bacteria tend to clump in small amounts and can be difficult to detect. It only takes 10 of these bacteria to make someone sick. And one head of contaminated lettuce can contaminate many bags of prepared lettuce. In fact, the study … [Read more...]
History of Romaine E. coli Outbreaks Over the Last Three Years
There has not yet been a romaine E. coli outbreak in the United States in 2020, but the year isn't over yet. Let's take a look back at the history of romaine E. coli outbreaks, including leafy greens, over the past three years. There was one outbreak in 2017, two in 2018 and three in 2019. In all of these outbreaks, the romaine lettuce in question was harvested either in the Yuma Arizona region or in the Central California region of the country. Many recalls were issued in regards to all of these outbreaks. This is the history of romaine E. coli outbreaks over the past three years. Leafy Greens E. coli O157:H7 Outbreak in 2017 In November 2017, the CDC announced an E. coli O157:H7 outbreak linked to leafy greens. At least twenty-five people in 15 states were sickened. Nine people … [Read more...]
Enoki Mushrooms Listeria Monocytogenes Outbreak Sickens 36
At least 36 people are sick in an enoki mushroom Listeria monocytogenes outbreak linked to product imported from Korea. The mushrooms were imported by Sun Hong Foods. The mushrooms were just recalled after a sample tested positive for Listeria monocytogenes by the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development. There is zero tolerance for Listeria monocytogenes contamination in ready to eat foods in this country. These enoki mushrooms were sold in 7.05 ounce clear plastic packaging, with UPC number 7 426852 625810. These mushrooms are also known as enokitake, golden needle, futu, or lily mushrooms. The mushrooms were sold to these retailers: J&L Supermarket, Jusgo Supermarket, ZTao Market, New Sang Supermarket, and Galleria Market in these states: California, Florida, … [Read more...]
Salmonella Outbreak at Perryville Correctional Facility in Arizona Sickens 5
A Salmonella outbreak at the Perryville Correctional Facility in Goodyear, Arizona has sickened five people, Chris Minnick, Communications Director of the Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS) told Food Poisoning Bulletin. The outbreak began on August 14, 2019. This facility houses women inmates. Officials took and tested 69 environmental samples. All were negative for the pathogen. We do not know if anyone has been hospitalized in this outbreak. And we do not know the patient age range. The origination for these infections is under investigation by the Arizona Department of Health Services, and no more information or additional details about the cases are being released. The Arizona Department of Corrections is working with ADHS to investigate this outbreak. Outbreaks … [Read more...]
Possible Hepatitis A Exposure at Genghis Grill Restaurant in Tempe, AZ
Possible hepatitis A exposure has occurred at the Genghis Grill restaurant in Tempe Marketplace at 2000 East Rio Salado Parkway in Tempe, Arizona, according to the Maricopa County Health Department. Anyone who ate there on May 30, June 1, June 5, June 6, June 7, June 8, June 13, June 14, June 15, and June 18, 2019 may have been exposed to the virus. If you ate there on any day not listed, you were not exposed. Unfortunately, since the vaccinations against this virus are only effective if given within two weeks of exposure, only people who ate there on June 18, 2019 can receive a hepatitis A or immune globulin vaccination today, July 2, 2019. If you ate there on that date and do not have health insurance, call Maricopa County to locate a county vaccination clinic. Tell the clinic you … [Read more...]
After Romaine E. coli Outbreak, LGMA Adopts New Food Safety Practices
After the two romaine E. coli O157:H7 outbreaks last year, that together sickened 272 people in the U.S., the California Leafy Greens Marketing Agreement (LGMA) has been amended to include more food safety practices on farms. More than 120 people were hospitalized in those outbreaks, and five people died. Scott Horsfall, CEO of the LGMA, said in a statement, "The California Leafy Greens Marketing Agreement Board of Directors have adopted additional requirements to reduce risk when it comes to water used in growing lettuce and leafy greens. This means that every box of leafy greens placed into commerce by a certified LGMA member will now be produced under new, more stringent requirements." In the two romaine E. coli O157:H67 outbreaks, the outbreak strains of the pathogen were … [Read more...]
Number 2 Outbreak of 2018: JBS Tolleson Ground Beef Salmonella Outbreak
The number two outbreak of 2018 is the JBS Tolleson Ground Beef Salmonella outbreak that is still ongoing. At least 333 people in 28 states are sick. Ninety-one people have been hospitalized. The company recalled 6.9 million pounds of beef products on October 4, 2018, and then recalled an additional 5.2 million pounds on December 4, 2018. The beef has the establishment number "EST. 267" that is usually inside the USDA mark of inspection, but can be found elsewhere on the package. The brand names of some of the recalled products are Kroger, Laura's Lean, and Generic JBS. The recalled items include ground sirloin, ground beef patty, fine ground chubs, Kroger GB loaf, and ground round loaf. The case count by state as of December 12, 2018 is: Arizona (50), California (107), Colorado … [Read more...]
