Two more probable E. coli cases have been linked to the San Diego County Fair, bringing the total of sick children to seven, according to the County of San Diego Health and Human Services. Those seven cases include four confirmed and three probable. A two-year-old boy sadly died on June 24, 2019 after visiting the fair. All of the children had visited animal exhibits at the fair before they got sick. The two new cases are a 2-year-old who was at the fair on June 22, 2019, got sick on June 26, and was not hospitalized, and a 4-year-old who visited the fair on June 21, got sick on June 29, and is currently hospitalized. Dr. Dean Sidelinger, interim deputy county public health officer, said in a statement, "The investigation is ongoing, and even though the fair is over, there are … [Read more...]
Cavi Papayas From Agroson’s Linked to Salmonella Uganda Outbreak
Cavi papayas from Agroson's LLC are now linked to the Salmonella Uganda outbreak that was just announced by the CDC. Now 71 people in 8 states are sick. Twenty-seven people have been hospitalized because they are so ill. The patient case count by state is: Connecticut (14), Florida (1), Massachusetts (5), New Jersey (18), New York (27), Pennsylvania (4), Rhode Island (1), and Texas (1). Illness onset dates range from January 14, 1029 through June 16, 2019. The patient age range is from less than 1 year to 90. Of 45 people who have provided information to investigators, 60% have been hospitalized. This is three times the hospitalization rate in a typical Salmonella outbreak. This particular strain of Salmonella Uganda is resistant to several antibiotics, which may explain the … [Read more...]
FDA Investigates Salmonella Pig Ear Dog Treats Outbreak
The FDA is investigating the Salmonella pig ear dog treat outbreak that has sickened at least 45 people in 13 states. The pathogen is Salmonella enterica serotype I 4,[5],12:i:-. Twelve people have been hospitalized. Some bulk pig ears have been recalled, but no illnesses have been directly linked to those particular dog treats. Pig ear treat samples collected from bulk bins in retail locations by the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development tested positive for several strains of Salmonella bacteria, but not the specific strain connected to this outbreak. They found Salmonella London, Salmonella Typhimurium, Salmonella Newport, and Salmonella Infantis on the pig ears. The FDA and CDC are trying to discover if any cases of human illnesses are linked to the Salmonella … [Read more...]
Salmonella Outbreak Linked to Pig Ear Dog Treats Sickens 45
A Salmonella enterica serotype I 4,[5],12:i:- linked to pig ear dog treats has sickened at least 45 people in 13 states, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Twelve people have been hospitalized because they are so sick. The case count by state is: California (1), Illinois (3), Indiana (3), Iowa (12), Kansas (3), Massachusetts (2), Michigan (7), Missouri (3), New York (6), North Dakota (1), Pennsylvania (2), South Carolina (1), and Wisconsin (1). Illness onset dates range from November 18, 2018 to June 13, 2019. The patient age range is from less than 1 year to 81 years. Of the 39 people who provided information, 12, or 31%, have been hospitalized. Epidemiologic evidence indicates that contact with pig ear dog treats is the likely source of this … [Read more...]
Officials Say There May Be Another E. coli Case at San Diego County Fair
A new, unconfirmed case of Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) illness that may be related to animals at the San Diego County Fair has been reported, according to the County of San Diego Health and Human Services. Lab results have confirmed a previously reported case. The new case is a 6-year-old boy who attended animal displays at the fair in June 2019 and started showing symptoms of the infection on June 26, 2019. He was not hospitalized and is recovering. There have been a total of five cases linked to contact with animals at the fair. Four are confirmed by lab tests and one is a probable case. Dr. Wilma Wooten, M.P.H., County public health officer said in a statement, "As we continue our investigation, more cases are likely to be reported. This is typical of any public … [Read more...]
FDA Weighs In On Salmonella Uganda Papaya Outbreak
Update: The CDC now says that Cavi brand papayas distributed by Agroson's LLC of the Bronx are linked to this outbreak. The FDA has released information about the Salmonella Uganda papaya outbreak that has sickened at least 62 people in 8 states. the FDA is increasing import screening for whole, fresh papayas and will continue to investigate the sauce and source of this outbreak. They are also tracking distribution of these products. Preliminary analysis shows that whole, fresh papayas from Mexico are potentially linked to this outbreak. The papayas were distributed in Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, and Rhode Island. Consumers in those states should not consume any whole, fresh papayas imported from Mexico and should throw them away. The FDA is … [Read more...]
Salmonella Uganda Outbreak Linked to Imported Papayas Sickens 62
Update: Cavi brand papayas distributed by Agroson's LLC of the Bronx are now linked to this outbreak. A Salmonella Uganda outbreak linked to fresh whole papayas imported from Mexico has sickened at least 62 people in 8 states. Twenty-three people have been hospitalized because they were so sick. No recall has been announced. The papayas were sold in retail stores in Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, and Rhode Island. The case count by state is: Connecticut (14), Florida (1), Massachusetts (5), New Jersey (12), New York (24), Pennsylvania (4), Rhode Island (1), and Texas (1). Illness onset dates range from January 14, 019 to June 8, 2019. Most illnesses have occurred since April 2019. The patient age range is from 1 to 86 years. Sixty-six percent of … [Read more...]
Salmonella Concord Karawan Tahini Outbreak Ends With Six Ill
The Salmonella Concord Karawan Tahini outbreak has ended after sickening six people, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Those patients live in three states. The patient case count by state is: Massachusetts (1), New York (4), and Texas (1). Illness onset dates ranged from March 9, 2019 to May 2, 2019. The patient age range is from 8 to 33 years. One patient was hospitalized because their illness was so severe. Public health officials used the PulseNet system to find people who may have been part of this outbreak. Whole genome sequencing performed on isolates from these patients showed that they were closely related genetically. That means the people in this outbreak were more likely to share a common source of infection. Epidemiologic, … [Read more...]
Shigella, Vibrio, E. coli Outbreak Linked to Raw Oysters Ends With 16 Sick
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...]
