The FDA states that WanaBana Applesauce acute lead poisoning has sickened at least seven children in five states. The product has excessively high lead levels. That number is an estimate, based on Consumer Complaint and CFSAN Adverse Event Reporting System reports received by the government. The FDA first issued an advisory about the WanaBana product in late October 2023. Two other brand names of applesauce pouches have been recalled: Weis and Schnucks. In response to this investigation, WanaBana has voluntarily recalled all WanaBana Apple Cinnamon Fruit Puree Pouches regardless of expiration date and lot code. These products were sold nationwide at the retail level. The investigation started when the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) and the North … [Read more...]
U of Arkansas E. coli Outbreak Not Linked to Public Dining Facilities
The University of Arkansas E. coli outbreak is most likely not linked to the University's public dining facilities, according to the Arkansas Department of Health. Officials are still investigating the outbreak, which has sickened about 100 students and has hospitalized four. That department has gathered and is analyzing survey data from more than 3,200 people to try to solve the outbreak. Officials do say, however, that it is "challenging" to try to identify E. coli cases without severe symptoms. Anyone who is cooking for themselves should protect themselves by cooking meats thoroughly and avoid cross-contamination between raw meats and foods that are eaten uncooked. It's also important to wash fruits and vegetables well before consumption, and avoid consuming unpasteurized … [Read more...]
About 100 Sickened in E. coli Outbreak at University of Arkansas
According to Dr. Naveen Patil, Deputy State Health Officer for the Arkansas Department of Health, there are about 100 people sickened in an E. coli outbreak at the University of Arkansas, and four people have been hospitalized. A press conference was published on the University of Arkansas Pat Walker Health Center web site. Dr. Patil said the Department was notified that some University students had been hospitalized, and they started investigating. He said, "Having so many cases within a short period of time is concerning." He said that it appears that all of the hospitalized patients and those sickened are connected to the University in some way. The number changes every day, and more people could be hospitalized. He added that some of those who have been hospitalized have been … [Read more...]
University of Arkansas E. coli Outbreak Sickens Students
A University of Arkansas E. coli outbreak has sickened an unnamed number of students and has hospitalized some, according to the Arkansas Department of Health and news reports. The press release states, "The university is working closely with public health officials to help identify the source of the outbreak and provide guidance to help prevent additional infections. At this time, based on what we know about the onset of symptoms, we believe the outbreak started more than a week ago." University officials and health department officials are working to identify the source of the outbreak. We don't know which foods they are focusing on, the number of students sick, or how many have been hospitalized. We also don't know the serotype of the bacteria that is causing this illness. It … [Read more...]
New Listeria Monocytogenes Outbreak With Unknown Source
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...]
