The Shigella, Vibrio, and E. coli outbreak that is linked to raw oysters harvested from Estero El Cardon estuary in Baja California Sur, Mexico, has ended after sickening 16 people, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Two people were hospitalized because they were so sick. The case count by state is: Alaska (1), California (12), Illinois (1), New Hampshire (1), and Nevada (1). Illness onset dates ranged from December 16, 2018 through April 17, 2019. The patient age range was from 26 to 80 years. State public health officials found more illnesses among people who also ate raw oysters from the same harvest area. The FDA investigated a subset of the illnesses investigated by the CDC. Those five patients were sickened with Shigella … [Read more...]
E. coli Illnesses Associated with Grant’s Farm in St. Louis, Missouri
The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services is investigating five E. coli cases in people who have visited Grant's Farm, located in St. Louis, since May 2019. This investigation is ongoing and is focused on determining what may have led to the illnesses. Those five people are sick with Shiga toxin-producing E. coli infections (STEC). There is no word on whether any of the patients have been hospitalized, or if any have developed hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), which is a compilation of a STEC infection that can cause kidney failure. This complication is more common in children under the age of five. The press release also did not state the ages of the patients. Preliminary recommendations to Grant's Farm include reminders of the importance of handwashing after direct … [Read more...]
Ground Beef E. coli 0103 Outbreak Ends With 209 Sick
The ground beef E. coli O103 outbreak has ended with 209 people sick in 10 states and 29 hospitalized, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Two people developed hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a type of kidney failure. The outbreak notice states that ill people in this outbreak ate ground beef from many sources. No single source of contamination was identified. But two processors did recall ground beef that may have been contaminated with E. coli O103. The case count by state is: Florida (5), Georgia (51), Illinois (1), Indiana (1), Kentucky (76), Minnesota (1), Mississippi (1), Ohio (12), Tennessee (59), and Virginia (2). Illness onset dates range from March 1, 2019 to May 1, 2019. The patient age range was less than 1 year to 84 years. Two … [Read more...]
FDA Updates ADM Milling Flour E. coli O26 Outbreak Investigation
The FDA has updated its investigation of the ADM Milling flour E. coli O26 outbreak with more information about another product recall. On June 13, 2019, King Arthur Flour, a customer of ADM Milling, recalled five pound bags of unbleached all-purpose flour with these lot codes and best by dates: 12/07/19 LOT: L18A07C; 12/08/19 LOTS: L18A08A, L18A08B; and 12/14/19 LOTS: L18A14A, L18A14B, L18A14C. This recall does not include products sold through the King Arthur website, Baker's Catalogue, or the Baker's Store in Norwich, Vermont. The recall also reminds consumers that all five pound bags, all lot codes, and all best if used by dates of Aldi Baker's Corner all purpose flour that were distributed in Connecticut, Delaware, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, … [Read more...]
Three People Sick With E. coli in Winnebago County, Illinois
Three people are sick with E. coli infections in Winnebago County, Illinois, according to the Winnebago County Health Department. Those patients have been experiencing diarrhea beginning May 21, 2019. The exact cause of the illness has not been determined. An outbreak is defined as two people who are not related getting sick with the same illness. E. coli outbreaks in the past have been linked to contaminated water and contaminated food, especially ground beef and leafy greens. Authorities interview these patients to see if they can find a common source for the pathogen. If you or anyone you know has been sick with the symptoms of a Shiga toxin-producing E. coli infection on or after May 21, 2019, contact a healthcare provider, especially if you live in Winnebago County, … [Read more...]
CDC Says Caito Precut Melon Salmonella Outbreak is Over
The CDC says that the Caito Precut Melon Salmonella Carrau outbreak is over, after sickening 137 people in 10 states. Thirty-eight people have been hospitalized. This last outbreak notice recognizes an increase of 20 cases since the last update in mid-April 2019. The case count by state is: Alabama (1), Iowa (2), Illinois (7), Indiana (26), Kentucky (26), Michigan (22), Minnesota (3), Missouri (8), Ohio (42), and Wisconsin (1). Illnesses started on March 3, 2019, and the last illness was reported on May 1, 2019. Most of the patients in this outbreak are female. Since these products were recalled in April and are long past their shelf life, there should not be many more cases. Officials used PulseNet, the national sub typing network of labs that collect and store bacterial … [Read more...]
ALDI Bakers Corner Flour E. coli O26 Outbreak Sickens 17
The ALDI Bakers Corner Flour E. coli O26 outbreak has sickened 17 people in 8 states, according to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Three of those patients have been hospitalized because they are so sick. The notice did not state whether or not any patients have developed hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a type of kidney failure that is a complication of this type of infection. The Rhode Island Department of Health collected and analyzed an unopened sample of this flour and found that the flour contained E. coli O26. A public warning was issued to the public on May 22, 2019. The investigation is ongoing, but DNA analysis found that the E. coli in the unopened sample of flour was closely related to the isolates from ill persons. Epidemiological and laboratory evidence … [Read more...]
ALDI Baker’s Corner Flour Linked to E. coli O26 Outbreak
ALDI Baker's Corner flour has been linked to an E. coli O26 outbreak that has sickened at least 17 people in 8 states, according to the Centers for Diseases Control ands Prevention (CDC). That flour was recalled on May 23, 2019. The case count by state is: California (1), Connecticut (1), Missouri (1), New Jersey (1), New York (5), Pennsylvania (2), and Rhode Island (1). Illness onset dates range from December 11, 2018 to April 17, 2018. The patient age range is from 7 to 86 years. Of 17 people who have been interviewed by public health officials, 3 have been hospitalized. There is no information about whether or not any of the patients have developed hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a serious complication of an E. coli infection that causes kidney failure. Whole genome … [Read more...]
Minnesota, Wisconsin Del Monte Vegetable Outbreak Is Salmonella Infantis
The FDA has announced that the pathogen in the Kwik Trip Minnesota Wisconsin Del Monte vegetable tray outbreak that has sickened at least four people is Salmonella Infantis. That agency is currently inspecting the Del Monte facility in Kankakee, Illinois that produced those vegetable trays. The case count in this outbreak remains the same: three sick in Wisconsin, and one sick in Minnesota. Those patients got sick between April 13 and April 27, 2019. The FDA, authorities from Minnesota and Wisconsin, and the CDC are investigating the outbreak, the source of the pathogen, and the distribution of products. While all patients sickened in this outbreak said they ate the Del Monte Vegetable Trays purchased at Kwik Trip stores before getting sick, the Wisconsin Department of Health … [Read more...]
FDA Updates Caito Foods Salmonella Carrau Melon Outbreak
The FDA has updated the Caito Foods Salmonella Carrau melon outbreak. The latest numbers are 137 people sick in 10 states. Thirty-eight people, or 28%, have been hospitalized because they are so ill, which is a high number for a typical Salmonella outbreak. Usually only 20% of patients are hospitalized when they are sickened with this pathogen. Caito Foods recalled many different types of cut melon products, including Melon Mix, Honeydew Chunks, Cantaloupe Spears, Fruit Burst, Fruit Snack Tray, Watermelon Spear, and Seasonal Fruit Salad among others, on April 12, 2019. Some of these products were sold at Kroger, Spartan Nash, Target, Walmart, and Amazon/Whole Foods locations. It is not likely that any of these products are still in consumer's homes, because the shelf life of … [Read more...]
