The number one outbreak of 2023 is the deadly cantaloupe Salmonella outbreak that has sickened at least 302 people in 42 states in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Four people are dead; one lived in Oregon and three lived in Minnesota. The cantaloupes were imported from Mexico by Sofia Produce doing business as Trufresh. The case count by state as of December 15, 2023 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 … [Read more...]
Number Two Outbreak of 2023: Deadly Gills Onions Salmonella
The number two outbreak of 2023 is the deadly Gills Onions Salmonella Thompson outbreak that sickened at least 80 people in 23 states. Eighteen people were hospitalized, and one person who lived in Wisconsin died. The outbreak was declared over in mid-December 2023. The case count by state was: 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 ranged from August 2, 2023 to November 11, 2023. The patient age range was from less than one to 90 years. The government interviewed patients about the … [Read more...]
Outbreak Number Three of 2023: Papa Murphy’s Cookie Dough
The number three outbreak of 2023 is the Papa Murphy's Cookie Dough Salmonella outbreak that sickened at least 26 people in six states. The outbreak was also an opportunity for the government to warn consumers that eating uncooked cookie dough made with raw eggs and raw flour is a health hazard. The case count by state was: California (2), Idaho (5), Missouri (1), Oregon (8), Utah (4), and Washington (6). Four people were hospitalized because they were so sick. The patient age range was from 14 to 81 years. Illness onset dates ranged from February 24, 2023 to May 28, 2023. In interviews with government officials, 17 of 22 patients said they ate food from Papa Murphy's before they got sick. Fifteen said they ate Papa Murphy's raw chocolate chip cookie dough or raw S'mores bars … [Read more...]
82 Children Sick After Eating Recalled WanaBana Fruit Purees
There are now at least 82 children sick with lead poisoning after eating recalled WanaBana cinnamon fruit purees, according to the FDA. The FDA is continuing to investigate how the product was contaminated with lead. The case count by state is: Alabama (1), Arkansas (1), California (1), Connecticut (1), Florida (1), Georgia (2), Iowa (1), Illinois (5), Indiana (1), Kentucky (3), Louisiana (4), Massachusetts (3), Maryland (6), Michigan (7), Missouri (2), North Carolina (5), Nebraska (2), New Hampshire (1), New Jersey (1), New Mexico (1), New York (8), Ohio (3), Pennsylvania (2), South Carolina (2), Tennessee (3), Texas (3), Virginia (2), Washington (4), Wisconsin (2), West Virginia (1), and Unknown (3). Report dates range from October 17, 2023 to December 20, 2023. The vast majority … [Read more...]
Number 4 Outbreak of 2023: Leafy Greens Listeria Outbreak
The number 4 outbreak of 2023 is the leafy greens Listeria outbreak that sickened at least 19 people in 16 states, according to the CDC. This outbreak remains a mystery; the government did not name a brand name, farm, or specific type of product that made those people sick. The case count by state was: Arkansas (1), California (1), Colorado (1), Illinois (1), Louisiana (1), Michigan (2), Missouri (1), North Carolina (2), Nebraska (1), New York (1), Oklahoma (1), Pennsylvania (1), South Dakota (1), Texas (1), Washington (1), and Wisconsin (2). Samples were collected from July 3, 2018 to March 31, 2023. The patient age range is from less than 1 to 96 years. Eighteen people were hospitalized because they were so sick. This was a relatively large outbreak for this type of pathogen. … [Read more...]
Number 5 Outbreak of 2023: ShopRite Ground Beef Salmonella
The number five outbreak of 2023 is the ShopRite ground beef Salmonella outbreak that sickened at least 18 people in four states. While traceback didn't identify a common source for the ground beef, most people bought the meat at ShopRite stores in the northeastern United States. The case count by state is: Connecticut (1), Massachusetts (1), New Jersey (11), and New York (5). The patient age range is from 0 to 97 years. Illness onset dates ranged from April 27, 2023 through July 6, 2023. Seven people were hospitalized because they were so sick. Patient isolates were tested with whole genome sequencing were found to be closely related genetically, which means the people likely got sick from eating the same food. Investigators found the outbreak strain of Salmonella in a routine … [Read more...]
Number 6 Outbreak of 2023: Gold Medal Flour Salmonella Outbreak
The number six outbreak of 2023 is the Gold Medal flour Salmonella outbreak that sickened at least 14 people in 13 states. Three people were hospitalized because they were so sick. The case count by state is: California (1), Illinois (2), Iowa (1), Minnesota (1), Missouri (1), Nebraska (1), New Jersey (1), New York (1), Ohio (1), Oregon (1), Tennessee (1), Virginia (1), and Washington (1). Illness onset dates ranged from December 6, 2022 to May 2, 2023. The patient age range was from 12 to 81 years. And of the eight people interviewed by public health officials, seven said they ate raw dough or batter. This is a good reminder that flour is a raw agricultural product that can be contaminated with pathogens, and that no one should eat anything made with flour unless it is … [Read more...]
Huntley High School E. coli Outbreak Associated With Food Worker
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...]
