A Shigella outbreak at an unnamed hotel in downtown Los Angeles, California has sickened art least six people, according to the Alameda County Health Department. The hotel was the site of a union delegate conference and was held from August 21 to August 24, 2023. The only conference we could find that was scheduled at that time was the Coalition of Kaiser Permanence Union Delegate Conference at the Westin Bonaventure Los Angeles at 404 South Figueroa Street. More than 300 people attended that conference. As of August 31, 2023, the California Department of Public Health is reporting six shigellosis cases from local California local health jurisdictions among event attendees. At least three out of the six cases were PCR+ for Shigella. Culture and additional sub typing tests are … [Read more...]
Panda Express Hepatitis A Warning in Lancaster, California
A Panda Express hepatitis A warning has been issued in Lancaster, California by the County of Los Angeles Public Health. An infected food worker prepared food at the location in late July and early August. The restaurant is located at 44411 Valley Central Way in Lancaster. No additional cases have been identified at this time. But anyone who consumed food or beverages at that restaurant between July 21 and August 4, 2023 is at risk and should get a hepatitis A vaccine. Vaccination is not necessary for anyone who had this infection in the past or who has already been vaccinated against the virus. Hepatitis A is a liver infection caused by a virus. It is very contagious and can spread through contaminated food and drink, from person to person, and through contact with contaminated … [Read more...]
Cyclospora and Salmonella Outbreaks Increase; Remain Mysteries
There are now seven active outbreak investigations on the FDA's CORE Outbreak Investigation Table. Of those outbreaks, only one is solved. The others, including three cyclospora outbreaks, one Salmonella outbreak, one E. coli O26 outbreak, and one E. coli O157:H7 outbreak, remain unsolved. For the first cyclospora outbreak, the case count has increased to 47 sick, up from 39 in the last update. Traceback has been initiated, and samples have been collected and are being analyzed. In the second cyclospora outbreak, the case count has increased from 121 sick to 140. In that investigation, traceback has started and samples have been collected and analyzed. In the third cyclospora outbreak, the case count has increased by one more patient, from 68 to 69. Traceback has started, an … [Read more...]
Raw Farm Raw Cheddar Cheese Recalled in CA For Salmonella
Raw Farm Raw Cheddar Cheese is being recalled in California for possible Salmonella contamination. The cheese is also subject to a quarantine order announced by California State Veterinarian Dr. Annette Jones. No illnesses have been reported to date in connection with the consumption of this cheese. The recalling firm is Raw Farm LLC of Fresno County. The order applies to "Raw Farm Cheddar," that is packaged in one pound (16 ounce) blocks. The code date that is marked on the plastic wrapper is BEST BY: 03/16/2024 and BATCH# 20230517-1. CDFA found the Salmonella bacteria in a routine sample that was collected at the Raw Farm LLC manufacturing and packaging facility. Raw cheese is made from raw milk that has not been pasteurized to kill pathogens such as Salmonella, E. coli, and … [Read more...]
Now Ten Sick in the Frozen Strawberries Hepatitis A Outbreak
There are now ten sick in the frozen strawberries Hepatitis A outbreak, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). That is an increase of one more patient, who lives in Hawaii, which is a new state added to the outbreak case count. The case count by state is: Washington (6), California (2), Hawaii (1), and Oregon (1). Illness onset dates range from November 24, 2022 to June 4, 2023. The patient age range is from 38 to 64. Four people have been hospitalized because they are so sick. Epidemiological and traceback evidence indicates that frozen organic strawberries that were imported fresh from "certain farms" in Baja, California in Mexico in 2022 are the source of this outbreak. And the hepatitis A virus strain that is making people sick is genetically … [Read more...]
Papa Murphy’s Cookie Dough Salmonella Outbreak Ends
The Papa Murphy's Cookie Dough Salmonella outbreak has ended with at least 26 people sick in six states, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Four people were hospitalized. Even though this outbreak is over, the government is warning consumers that eating raw cookie dough made with unpasteurized eggs and raw flour is a hazard and can make you sick. The case count by state is: California (2), Idaho (5), Missouri (1), Oregon (8), Utah (4), and Washington (6). That is an increase of eight more patients since the last update on May 23, 2023. The newly diagnosed ill persons live in California, Idaho, Oregon, and Utah. The patient age range is from 14 to 81 years. Illness onset dates ranged from February 24, 2023 to May 28, 2023. State and local health … [Read more...]
Salmonella Outbreak at Solano County Jails Sickens 117
A Salmonella outbreak at Solano County jails in California has allegedly sickened more than a hundred inmates, according to the Vallejo Sun. All three jails in that county have ill inmates, and the outbreak has lasted more than a week, a spokesperson for the Solano County Sheriff's Office told that outlet. As of Tuesday, June 27, 2023, 15 people were still sick. All prison visits were cancelled during the height of the outbreak. Symptoms included headaches, body aches, vomiting, and diarrhea, which are classic symptoms of Salmonella food poisoning. There are three jails in that county, including the Stanton Correctional Facility, the Claybank Detention Facility, and the Solano County Justice Center Detention Facility. Trinity Services Group provides the food for all three jails, … [Read more...]
FDA Updates Strawberry Hepatitis A Outbreak With New Recall
The FDA updates strawberry Hepatitis A outbreak information with the new recall for Wawona Frozen Foods Organic Daybreak Blend mix sold at Costco stores. The recall is for that product sold in these states: Arizona, California, Colorado, Utah, and Washington. The case count remains the same: California (2), Oregon (1), and Washington (6). Illness onset dates range from November 24, 2022 to April 12, 2023, and the patient age range is from 38 to 64. Three people have been hospitalized. The Organic Daybreak Blend is packaged in 4 pound bags and has best by dates of 9/23/2023, 9/29/2023, 9/30/2023, and 10/18/2023 with corresponding lot numbers. Other recalled products include brands California Splendor that supplied Costco stores, Scenic Fruit that supplied Costco, Aldi, KeHE, Vital … [Read more...]
Men’s Central Jail in LA Has Possible Hepatitis A Exposure
The Men's Central Jail in Los Angeles has had a possible Hepatitis A exposure between May 13 and May 28, 2023. The County of Los Angeles Public Health is investigating a report of a person who had an infection while detained at that jail, which is located at 441 Bauchet Street in Los Angeles. Hepatitis A is a very contagious virus that can cause serious illness in people who are immune compromised and who have liver disease. Getting vaccinated against the virus is important for many people. The hepatitis A vaccine is effective when given within two weeks of exposure. That means that anyone who was detained in that jail during the exposure period needs to get vaccinated if they aren't already. The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health is offering free vaccinations against … [Read more...]
Gold Medal Salmonella Outbreak Ends With 14 Sick
The Gold Medal Salmonella outbreak ends with 14 people sick in thirteen states, and three hospitalized, according to the FDA. That is an increase of one more patient in one more state since the last update was issued on May 1, 2023. That patient lives in Washington state. 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). The last illness onset date was May 2, 2023. General Mills recalled Gold Medal unbleached and bleached flour with "Better if Used by" dates of May 27, 2024 and March 28, 2024 on April 28, 2023. No other types of Gold Medal flour are affected by this recall at this time. The FDA is continuing to investigate … [Read more...]
