A new Listeria monocytogenes outbreak with an unknown source has been announced by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). There are at least 11 people who live in 10 states who are ill. Ten of those patients have been hospitalized. A specific food item has not been identified in this outbreak, but the CDC is announcing it because they are concerned that several illnesses have been reported recently. The case count by state is: Arkansas (1), California (1), Colorado (1), Michigan (2), Missouri (1), New York (1), North Carolina (1), Pennsylvania (1), South Dakota (1), and Washington (1). This list is current as of February 14, 2023. The samples of ill persons, however, have been collected from July 3, 2018 to January 31, 2023, so this outbreak has probably been going … [Read more...]
Possible Hepatitis A Exposure at Wendy’s on North Arkansas, Russellville
A possible hepatitis A exposure at Wendy's restaurant located at 721 North Arkansas in Russellville, Arkansas has been announced after an employee tested positive for the virus, according to the Arkansas Department of Health (ADH). Hepatitis A is a very contagious virus that affects the liver. It is spread through person-to-person contact, through contaminated surfaces (fomites) and through contaminated food and drink. Anyone who ate at that restaurant from December 12, 2021 through January 3, 2022 should seek care if they have never been vaccinated against hepatitis A. Since the vaccine is only effective if given within two weeks of exposure, anyone who was at that restaurant from December 12, 2021 through December 22, 2021 may not be eligible for one now. But check with your … [Read more...]
Six in Arkansas Sick in Deadly Mystery E. coli O157:H7 Outbreak
Arkansas is hard hit in the deadly mystery E. coli O157:H7 outbreak that was announced yesterday by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Six people are sick in Arkansas, out of 16 in the entire country. This outbreak is unusual because the CDC investigation notice stated that the agency is concerned about the growing number of severe illnesses. Nine of the sixteen patients have been hospitalized for a rate of 56%; that is much higher than the typical 30% hospitalization rate for this type of outbreak. And three of those patients have been diagnosed with HUS, a type of kidney failure. There is no information about what food may have caused this outbreak; we also do not know if any restaurant or supermarket is involved. E. coli outbreaks in the past have been … [Read more...]
New Deadly E. coli Outbreak Causing Severe Illnesses and Hospitalizations
A new deadly E. coli outbreak has been announced by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). As of February 1, 2021, 16 people in five states are sick with E. coli O157:H7 infections. The investigation notice states that "CDC is concerned about the growing number of severe illnesses and hospitalizations in this outbreak. If you have E. coli symptoms, talk to your healthcare provider and report your illness to your local health department." The states where people are sick are Washington (2), Oklahoma (5), Arkansas (6), Virginia (2), and New York (1). Illness onset dates range from December 23, 2020 to January 7, 2021. Recent illnesses may not yet be reported since it can take two to four weeks to link illnesses to an outbreak. The patient age range is from 10 to 95 … [Read more...]
Hepatitis A Exposure at J Mart Diner in Redfield, Arkansas
A possible hepatitis A exposure has occurred at the J Mart Diner in Redfield, Arkansas, according to the Arkansas Department of Health. An employee who worked there from July 17 through August 2, 2019 tested positive for the virus. That restaurant is located at 1101 Sheridan Road. Officials say that anyone who ate there on those days should get a hepatitis A vaccination immediately. Unfortunately, this vaccination is only effective if given within two weeks of exposure. So any customer who was at the J Mart Diner before July 26, 2019 can only monitor themselves for symptoms of the illness. The Arkansas Department of Health will host vaccine clinics in Grant and Jefferson counties on Friday, August 9, 2019. The vaccines will be available from 8:30 am to 6:00 pm at the Grant County … [Read more...]
Possible Hepatitis A Exposure at On the Border Grill inn Jonesboro, Arkansas
The Arkansas Department of Health is warning consumers that there is a possible hepatitis A exposure at the On the Border Mexican Grill & Cantino at 2324 Red Wolf Boulevard in Jonesboro. Anyone who ate there between December 13 and December 17, 2018 may have been exposed to the pathogenic virus. Unfortunately, for all of the people who may have been exposed, it's too late to get a vaccination, since that is effective only if applied within two weeks of exposure. Still, if you are in this group, contact your healthcare provider to see if he or she thinks you should be vaccinated. The ADH is hosting two vaccine clinics. The first will be on January 4, 2019 from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm at the Craighead County Health Unit at 611 East Washington Avenue in Jonesboro, Arkansas, and the … [Read more...]
Hepatitis A Exposure at ASU and Jonesboro Salvation Army in AR
Possible hepatitis A exposure has occurred at two locations in northern Arkansas. Employees at the Arkansas State University food service, and a volunteer at the Salvation Army in Jonesboro have tested positive for the virus according to the Arkansas Department of Health. Anyone who ate at the ASU Student Center or that Salvation Army location from October 13 to October 24, 2018 may have been exposed. Fortunately, this announcement comes just within the two week window of opportunity for a hepatitis A or immune globulin vaccination. These shots are only effective if given within two weeks of exposure. Vaccines will be available on Friday, October 26, 2018 from 8:00 am to 4:30 pm at the Craighead County Local Health Unit in Jonesboro at 611 East Washington Avenue. Vaccines will … [Read more...]
Two Businesses in Arkansas Had Food Handlers Work While Infected with Hepatitis A
Two businesses in Arkansas have had food handlers work while they were infectious with hepatitis A. The Arkansas Department of Health has issued two press releases about these cases. If you have eaten at these establishments, it's crucial that you get a vaccination against this pathogenic virus within two weeks of exposure. The shots are only good within that time frame. The first business is the Flash Market/Subway at 105 North Missouri Avenue in Corning. That person worked between March 30 and April 17, 2018. If you ate there before April 11, it's too late for a shot. All you can do is monitor yourself for the symptoms of this illness and see your doctor if they appear. So far this year, 12 cases of hepatitis A infections have been reported in Clay County. Four of those … [Read more...]
Hepatitis A Warning to Consumers of Corning, Arkansas Taco Bell
A food worker at the Taco Bell at 200 North Missouri Avenue in Corning, Arkansas has been diagnosed with hepatitis A, according to a notice from the Arkansas Department of Health. Anyone who has eaten food at this location between January 24 and February 7, 2018 may have been exposed to the pathogenic virus. The time limit for a hepatitis A or immune globulin vaccination is just 2 weeks from the date of exposure. That means that anyone who ate there on February 1, 2018 and earlier is no longer eligible for a shot. All you can do is watch yourself for the symptoms of this illness and see your doctor if they develop. Anyone who is under one year of age should get an immune globulin shot from a doctor. Anyone who is between one year and 40 years and has never been vaccinated should … [Read more...]
Salmonella Outbreak Associated with AR Chuck Wagon Restaurant
A Salmonella outbreak that may have sickened 30 people is associated with the Chuck Wagon Restaurant in Stuttgart, Arkansas, according to the Arkansas Department of Health. There are four confirmed cases of Salmonella in this outbreak so far. The press releases states that "Epidemiological information suggests that the Chuck Wagon Restaurant in Stuttgart, AR is the likely site of the outbreak." Public health officials are investigating, collecting biological specimens from ill persons, information about where they have eaten, and any other possible common exposures, including animal or worksite exposure. The site has been inspected. Officials have identified a common food source "and identified risks were removed." A follow-up inspection will be conducted at the … [Read more...]
