There are now 30 sick in Carniceria Guanajuato Salmonella outbreak in Chicago, according to the Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH) and news reports. That is an increase of 10 more patients since the first notice of the outbreak was issued on September 15, 2023. The grocery store, which also houses a taqueria, is located at 3140 North California Avenue in Avondale in Chicago. At that time, the CDPH said that 10 people were hospitalized. We do not know if any of the 10 new patients have been hospitalized. And CDPH said that there are probably more who are sick. In fact, public health officials use a multiplier for Salmonella outbreaks of 30.2, which means that there are usually 30 times more patients in a typical outbreak than are reported to public health departments. That … [Read more...]
Frozen Strawberries Hepatitis A Outbreak Ends with 10 Sick
The frozen strawberries hepatitis A outbreak has ended with 10 people sick in four states. Four patients were hospitalized because they were so ill, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). There were several recalls issued in relation to this outbreak. The CDC is recommending that anyone who bought those berries should not eat, serve, or sell them. The case count by state is: Washington (6), California (2), Hawaii (1), and Oregon (1). Illness onset dates ranged from November 24, 2022 to May 27, 2023. The patient age range is from 38 to 64. Four people have been hospitalized because they are so sick. Epidemiologic and traceback evidence indicates that frozen organic strawberries that were imported fresh from a single farm in Baja California, Mexico in … [Read more...]
Carniceria Guanajuato Salmonella Outbreak in Chicago Sickens 20
A Carniceria Guanajuato Salmonella outbreak in Chicago has sickened at least 20 people and 10 of those patients are hospitalized, according to the Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH). That grocery store, which houses a taqueria, is located at 3140 North California in Chicago, Illinois. Those sickened at prepared food at either the taqueria or the prepared foods section of the grocery store. Carniceria Guanajuato voluntarily closed on September 8, 2023 and is cooperating with CDPH to find the source of the illnesses. Public health officials performed an environmental assessment of the grocery store and provided guidance to employees on safe food handling practices and environmental cleaning to prevent more illnesses. There is no word on any suspect food, the ages of the … [Read more...]
Shigella Outbreak at Hotel in Los Angeles, California Sickens Six
A Shigella outbreak at an unnamed hotel in downtown Los Angeles, California has sickened art least six people, according to the Alameda County Health Department. The hotel was the site of a union delegate conference and was held from August 21 to August 24, 2023. The only conference we could find that was scheduled at that time was the Coalition of Kaiser Permanence Union Delegate Conference at the Westin Bonaventure Los Angeles at 404 South Figueroa Street. More than 300 people attended that conference. As of August 31, 2023, the California Department of Public Health is reporting six shigellosis cases from local California local health jurisdictions among event attendees. At least three out of the six cases were PCR+ for Shigella. Culture and additional sub typing tests are … [Read more...]
Alleged Kumo Sushi Bacillus Cereus Outbreak in NY Sickens 28
An alleged Kumo Sushi Bacillus cereus outbreak in Stony Brook, New York has sickened dozens of patrons, according to news reports. People got sick on Saturday, September 9, 2023. The Suffolk County Department of Public Health believes that rice is the culprit. At least 28 people were sick and some were hospitalized. The Kumo Sushi & Steakhouse restaurant, also known as Kumo Japanese Steakhouse, is located at 2548 Nesconset Highway in Stony Brook. Known as "fried rice syndrome," when rice is not properly stored after being cooked, Bacillus cereus can grow. And the symptoms of a Bacillus cereus food poisoning infection can happen just hours after people eat the rice. The Suffolk County Police Department and local fire departments went to the restaurant after people called, … [Read more...]
Healthy Harvest Farm Raw Milk Outbreak in MN Sickens at Least 8
A Healthy Harvest Farm raw milk outbreak in Minnesota has sickened at least eight people, according to the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH). Eight people are sick with cryptosporidiosis and one patient has cryptosporidiosis and an E. coli O111:48 infection at the same time. Healthy Harvest Farm and Kitchen is located in Hillman, Minnesota. Officials are urging anyone who bought milk from that farm to discard it and not drink it. The milk may be labeled as "natural A2 milk," and consumers may not be aware that the milk is unpasteurized, or raw. The people who are sick with Cryptosporidium parvum, a parasite commonly found in cattle, have related subtypes, suggesting a common source. All of those who are ill with this pathogen started getting sick in early August. They all … [Read more...]
Brooklyn Ice Cream House Listeria Outbreak Sickens Two
The Brooklyn Ice Cream House Listeria monocytogenes outbreak has sickened at least two people, according to the FDA. Both patients, who live in Pennsylvania and New York, have been hospitalized. The Ice Cream House storefront, located in Brooklyn, New York, has recalled all of their branded products sold at the Brooklyn location as well as at retail supermarkets located in New Jersey, New York, and Ohio. The recalled items include all dairy and non-dairy products that carry the Ice Cream house logo. They include ice cream, cakes, pies, ice cream logs, and novelty items such as trio log sorbet, Hello Kitty Cake, Heaven Layer Vanilla, Tropical Flute, De'Lightning Frozen Dessert, and others. Real Kosher Ice Cream has also recalled all flavors of their Soft Serve on the Go 8 ounce ice … [Read more...]
University of Arkansas E. coli Outbreak Sickens 42, Hospitalizes 4
The University of Arkansas E. coli outbreak has sickened at least 42 people and hospitalized four, according to the Arkansas Department of Health (ADH). The agency said that the outbreak seems to be past its peak, since no new patients have reported symptoms since August 25, 2023. As part of their investigation, the ADH sent a survey to people in northwest Arkansas and received 3,200 responses. So far, 37 patients are probable cases based on reported symptoms, while five patients are confirmed cases with positive test results. It has been reported that five patients were hospitalized. But the ADH stated that a previous hospitalization has been ruled out as part of the outbreak. Two patients remain in the hospital as of August 31, 2023. So far, officials do not know what may … [Read more...]
Two New Outbreaks on FDA CORE Investigation Table
There are two new outbreaks on the FDA CORE Outbreak Investigation Table. One is a Salmonella Newport outbreak, and the other is a Cryptosporidium outbreak. Four other outbreaks remain on the table. The new Salmonella Newport outbreak in a not yet identified food has sickened at least eight people. In that investigation, traceback has been initiated, but there is no recall, no onsite inspection, and no sample collection or analysis. The new Cryptosporidium outbreak in a not yet identified food has sickened at least 11 people. In that outbreak, traceback has been initiated. We don't know the states where ill people live, their age range, or if anyone has been hospitalized. The other outbreaks remain unchanged. In the Listeria monocytogenes outbreak linked to Soft Serve on the … [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...]
