At the end of October the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the FDA announced two distinct E. coli O157:H7 outbreaks that were not linked to any one food or facility. One may have been associated with romaine lettuce, and the other may have been associated with a restaurant. Today the FDA announced a third E. coli O157:H7 outbreak that has sickened at least twelve people in five states that may be associated with recalled romaine lettuce. The patient case count by state is: California (2), Illinois (4), Michigan (2), Ohio (1), Pennsylvania (2), and Virginia (1). Five people have been hospitalized. The last illness onset date was October 14, 2020. The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development found E. coli O157:H7 bacteria on a sample of Tanimura … [Read more...]
Wood Ear Mushroom Salmonella Outbreak Ends With 55 Sick
The wood ear mushroom Salmonella outbreak has ended with 55 sick in 12 states, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Six people were hospitalized because they were so sick. The mushrooms, imported by Wismettac Asian Foods, were recalled in October 2020. The patient case count has increased by 12 since the last outbreak update almost a month ago. And two states, Oregon and Washington, were added to the outbreak state count. The patient case count by state is: Arizona (1), California (33), Connecticut (1), Georgia (1), Illinois (5), Louisiana (1), New Jersey (2), New York (1), Oregon (1), Pennsylvania (2), Washington (5) and Wisconsin (2). The patient age range is from 2 to 74 years. Illness onset dates range from January 21, 2020 to September 19, 2020. … [Read more...]
Second Secret E. coli Outbreak Sickens 23 in 12 States, Hospitalizes 10
A second secret E. coli outbreak has sickened 23 people and hospitalized 10, according to information released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) late last night. The first outbreak, which was caused by a different strain of E. coli O157:H7, was also announced last night. This outbreak is caused by the same strain of bacteria that contaminated romaine lettuce and sickened 167 people in 27 states in 2019. While this information is significant, it doesn't mean that this outbreak was caused by leafy greens. A specific food has not been identified yet, and the government is not making any recommendations for consumers to avoid any particular food. But in another twist, the outbreak investigation statement says, "State and local public health officials are … [Read more...]
CDC Announces Two Mystery E. coli Outbreaks; Leafy Greens?
Tonight the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced two mystery E. coli outbreaks that may be linked to leafy greens that have sickened 44 people and hospitalized 18; three have developed HUS and one person has died. In the first outbreak, 21 people in 8 states are ill. Eight people have been hospitalized, and one person who lived in Michigan has died. Illness onset dates range from June 6, 2020 to October 5, 2020. The patient age range is from 2 to 75 years. Of 16 people who gave information to investigators, eight were hospitalized. One person developed HUS. The patient case count by state is: California (7), Florida (1), Illinois (1), Michigan (2), New Jersey (1), Ohio (7), Utah (1), and Wisconsin (1). The strain of E. coli O157:H7 causing illness in … [Read more...]
Most Listeria Cases Are in Massachusetts in Deli Meat Listeria Outbreak
Most Listeria cases are in Massachusetts in the deli meat Listeria monocytogenes outbreak announced last week by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). All ten patients have been hospitalized, and one person, who lived in Florida, has died. Seven people who live in Massachusetts were sickened in this outbreak. The patients who gave information to investigators said that they ate Italian-style meats, such as mortadella, salami, and prosciutto before they got sick. They purchased both prepackaged deli meats and meats that were sliced at the counter. Officials do not yet know if there is a specific meat or common supplier that is linked to these illnesses. Public health investigators are using the PulseNet system to try to find patients who have been sickened with … [Read more...]
History of E. coli O26 Outbreaks Including Chipotle, Cargill Ground Beef
There are several serotypes of E. coli bacteria that cause serious human illness. The most common is E. coli O157:H7, but other strains, called non-O157 serogroups, have also caused outbreaks. This is the history of E. coli O26 outbreaks including Chipotle and Cargill ground beef in the United States in the past five years. The most common non-O157 serotypes are E. coli O26, O45, O103, O111, O121, and O145. The government has grouped them into a category they call the "Big Six." The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that about 265,000 people are sickened in this U.S. every year with these infections. E. coli O157:H7 causes about 36% of illnesses, while the Big Six are linked to the rest. In 2011, the USDA declared a zero tolerance policy for these strains, … [Read more...]
FDA Investigation into the Peach Salmonella Outbreak Continues As It Ends
The FDA investigation into the peach Salmonella outbreak is continuing even as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has declared the outbreak over. At least 101 people in 17 states were sickened in this outbreak which was first identified in August 2020. Twenty-eight patients were hospitalized. The patient case count by state is: California (1), Connecticut (1), Illinois (1), Iowa (11), Kansas (1), Kentucky (1), Maryland (1), Michigan (18), Minnesota (27), Missouri (2), New Jersey (8), New York (14), Ohio (1), Pennsylvania (4), Vermont (1) Virginia (3), and Wisconsin (6). The ages of patients ranged from 1 to 92 years. Illness onset dates range from June 29, 2020 to August 27, 2020. No deaths were reported. This outbreak prompted many recalls, including secondary … [Read more...]
Wawona Salmonella Peaches Recalled In More Countries
Wawona Salmonella Peaches are being recalled in more countries around the globe, after being linked to an outbreak in the U.S. and in Canada. As of August 28, 2020, the governments of Canada, Singapore, and New Zealand have issued recalls. And information received by the FDA indicates that the recalled peaches were shipped to the countries of Australia, Canada, China, Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Panama, the Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan, and the United Arab Emirates. The FDA is sharing information with the food safety authorities in those countries. In the U.S., the case count remains at 78 sick in 12 states and 23 hospitalized, as of August 28, 2020. The last illness onset date was August 3, 2020. The case count by state is: Connecticut (1), … [Read more...]
FDA Updates the Salmonella Peach Outbreak With More Recall Information
The FDA has updated the multistate Salmonella peach outbreak with more information about where recalled peaches were sold. As of August 22, 2020, there are 68 people in 9 states who are sick with Salmonella Enteritidis infections that the CDC says is linked to peaches. Consumers, restaurants, and retailers should not eat, sell, or serve recalled peaches packed by or supplied by Prima Wawona or products made with them. If you purchased any of the following recalled products, which include bagged peaches, loose or bulk peaches, and products made with those peaches, do not eat them, even if some have been eaten without anyone getting sick. Not every peach may be contaminated. And if you aren't sure where the peaches you bought came from, throw them out. The FDA is recommending that … [Read more...]
CDC Weighs In On Salmonella Wawona Peaches Outbreak
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is weighing in on the Salmonella Wawona peaches outbreak that has sickened at least 68 people in in nine states. The fresh whole peaches were sold at Target and ALDI stores in certain states, and two recalls have been issued. The case count by state is: Iowa (8), Maryland (1), Michigan (17), Minnesota (23), New Jersey (4), New York (8), Pennsylvania (1), Virginia (3), and Wisconsin (3). Illness onset dates range from June 29 2020 to August 3, 2020. Fourteen people have been hospitalized because they are so sick. The patient age range is from 1 to 92 years. Public heath officials are using the PulseNet system to find people who may be part of this outbreak. Whole genome sequencing showed that bacteria isolated from ill persons … [Read more...]
