The Huntley High School E. coli outbreak that took place in September 2023 is associated with an ill food worker, according to a report issued by the McHenry County Health Department in Illinois. Investigators interviewed students, food handlers, and teachers. They also tested food items including ready to eat foods. And investigators studied different events held at the school, including Freshmen football game concessions, the high school cafeteria, and the Varsity football team dinner. A total of 1,526 students and staff were interviewed. Sixteen E. coli cases were identified. All Huntley High School (HHS) cases were students or non-cafeteria staff, and 15 out of the 16 ate at the high school cafeteria on the same day. And all of those 15 patients ate food provided from the cold … [Read more...]
Number Seven Outbreak of 2023: Deadly Peaches Listeria
The number seven outbreak of 2023 is the deadly peaches Listeria monocytogenes outbreak linked to HMC Farms and Signature Farms fresh peaches, nectarines, and plums. At least eleven people in seven states are sick in this outbreak. And the outbreak investigation has not been updated since November 19, 2023. The case count by state is: California (3), Colorado (1), Florida (3), Illinois (1), Kansas (1), Michigan (1), and Ohio (1). The patient age range is from 30 to 80 years. Illness onset dates range from August 22, 2018 to August 16, 2023. Of ten people who gave information about their health to investigators, all have been hospitalized. One death was reported from California. One person suffered preterm labor. The PulseNet system was used to find people who may be part of this … [Read more...]
CDC Updates Lead Poisoning Outbreak Linked to WanaBana
The CDC has updated the lead poisoning outbreak that is linked to recalled WanaBana cinnamon applesauce pouches. The CDC has received these numbers from state and local health departments: confirmed cases 67, probable cases 122, and suspect cases 16. The states where ill children live are: Alabama, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, North Carolina, North Dakota, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin, and West Virginia. The case count numbers are different from FDA numbers because the FDA uses confirmed numbers. As the investigation progresses, cases may move to different … [Read more...]
Number Eight Outbreak of 2023: Frozen Strawberries Hepatitis A
The number eight outbreak of 2023 is the frozen strawberry hepatitis A outbreak that sickened at least 10 people in four states. There were several recalls issued in relation to this outbreak, for Made With Foods frozen strawberries, Kirkland Signature frozen organic whole strawberries, Vital Choice organic strawberries, Simply Nature organic strawberries, PCC Community Market, Trader Joe's Organic Tropical Fruit Blend, Costco Organic Daybreak Blend, and Scenic Fruit frozen strawberries. 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. The organic strawberries were imported … [Read more...]
FDA Updates WanaBana Lead Poisoning Outbreak Investigation
The FDA has updated the WanaBana lead poisoning outbreak investigation. The FDA has finished conducting an onsite inspection of the Austrofoods facility in Ecuador, where the products were made. At least 64 people, all children under the age of six, have been sickened with lead poisoning after allegedly eating Wanabana Apple Cinnamon Fruit Puree. The patient case count by state is: Alabama (1), Arkansas (1), California (1), Connecticut (1), Florida (1), Georgia (2), Iowa (1), Illinois (3), Kentucky (3), Louisiana (4), Massachusetts (3), Maryland (6), Michigan (3), Missouri (1), North Carolina (5), Nebraska (2), New Hampshire (1), New Mexico (1), New York (8), Ohio (3), Pennsylvania (1), South Carolina (2), Tennessee (1), Texas (3), Virginia (2), Washington (3), and Wisconsin (1). … [Read more...]
Victor Dog Food Salmonella Outbreak is Number Nine of 2023
The Victor Dog Food Salmonella outbreak is the number nine outbreak of 2023. At least seven people in seven states, mostly infants, have been sickened in this outbreak. The outbreak investigation has not been updated since November 9, 2023. The case count by state is: Alabama (1), California (1), Florida (1), Hawaii (1), Kentucky (1), Minnesota (1), and Oklahoma (1). Most of the patients (86%) are one year old or younger, and the remaining patient is under the age of 65. Illness onset dates range from January 14, 2023 to August 19, 2023. One patient has been hospitalized. In interviews, five of the patients' families said that they had contact with a dog or had a dog in their household. Three of those households fed their pets Victor brand dog food. Whole genome sequencing … [Read more...]
Top 10 Outbreaks Of 2023: #10 Ice Cream House Listeria
It's time for the Top 10 Outbreaks of 2023. Number 10 is the Ice Cream House Listeria Monocytogenes outbreak that took place in the summer of 2023. It sickened at least two people; one lives in New York, the other in Pennsylvania. Both patients were hospitalized. The median age in this outbreak was 77 years. People over the age of 65 are much more likely to suffer serious complications from a Listeria monocytogenes infection. In fact, one of the patients lived in a long term care facility where they were likely served this product. The other patient ought "Soft Serve on the Go" ice cream cups from a grocery store. Whole genome sequencing showed that the bacteria from patient isolates were closely related genetically. This means that they likely got sick from eating the same … [Read more...]
Deadly Salmonella Cantaloupe Outbreak Sickens 302 in 42 States
The deadly Salmonella cantaloupe outbreak has now sickened at least 302 people in 42 states, with 129 hospitalized, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). That's an increase of 72 more patients, 33 new hospitalizations, and four new states since the last update a week ago. And one more person, who lived in Minnesota, has died. The case count by state is: Alaska (1), Arkansas (1), Arizona (14), California (14), Colorado (9), Connecticut (2), Florida (1), Georgia (6), Iowa (8), Illinois (18), Indiana (7), Kansas (2), Kentucky (8), Massachusetts (2), Maryland (6), Michigan (6), Minnesota (26), Missouri (15), Mississippi (1), Montana (2), North Carolina (6), Nebraska (7), New Hampshire (1), New Jersey (6), New Mexico (2), Nevada (5), New York (10), Ohio (13), … [Read more...]
FDA Updates CORE Outbreak Investigation Table
The FDA has updated its CORE Outbreak Investigation Table to include increases in case counts and advances in some of the investigations. There are seven investigations on the table at this time. The first outbreak investigation on the FDA CORE Outbreak Investigation Table is the Listeria monocytogenes outbreak connected to an unidentified food. The FDA has initiated traceback, has conducted an on-site inspection, and has collected samples for analysis. Three people are sick in that outbreak. For the Salmonelal Newport outbreak in a not yet identified food, the case count has increased from 43 to 44 cases. That is an increase of one more patient since the last update. Traceback has begun, and samples have been collected and analyzed. For the deadly Salmonella Sundsvall and … [Read more...]
Deadly Gills Onions Salmonella Outbreak Ends With 80 Sick
The deadly Gills Onions Salmonella outbreak has ended with 80 people sick in 23 states, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Eighteen people have been hospitalized. That is an increase of seven more patients and one more state since the last update was announced on October 24, 2023. One person who lived in Wisconsin has sadly died. The case count by state is: Arizona (1), California (17), Colorado (1), Georgia (1), Iowa (1), Idaho (1), Illinois (4), Indiana (2), Kentucky (1) Massachusetts (1), Michigan (6), Montana (2), North Dakota (2), New York (1), Ohio (3), Oregon (3), Tennessee (1), Texas (1), Utah (19), Virginia (3), Washington (4), Wisconsin (4), and Wyoming (1). Illness onset dates range from August 2, 2023 to November 11, 2023. The patient age … [Read more...]
