A possible Campylobacter outbreak in McHenry County, Illinois has sickened at least eight people, according to a McHenry County press release. Patients got sick between August 17 and August 30, 2022. That number is four times more cases compared to the previous two weeks, and more than three times more cases in August compared to July 2022. No common source of infection has been identified at this time. Although Campylobacter is the most common cause of diarrhea in the United States, outbreaks, which are defined as two or more unrelated people sickened by the same bacterial strain, from this pathogen are relatively rare. In 2021, there was a Campylobacter outbreak in Washington state linked to Dungeness Creamery raw milk that sickened at least five people. And in 2020, a … [Read more...]
Montana Campylobacter Outbreak Linked to Kennedy Creek Water
A Montana Campylobacter outbreak is linked to the Kennedy Creek watering point, according to Sanders County Environmental Health. About 20 people have been confirmed with this illness in an outbreak that occurred in mid May 2022. Eighteen of those patients consumed water from the Kennedy Creek watering point over a period of about two to three weeks during late April and early May 2022. Thirteen of those patients have seen a healthcare provider; all tested positive for Campylobacter. One linked case was also reported in Flathead County. A water sample was taken from the creek's discharge point, and it tested positive for Campylobacter. As of Friday, June 3, 2022, the state laboratory has matched clinical and water sample specimens through whole genome sequencing. Kennedy Creek … [Read more...]
Potters Pond Campylobacter Outbreak in Rhode Island Sickens Seven
A Potters Pond Campylobacter outbreak has closed the area, which is used for shellfish harvesting, in Rhode Island after seven people got sick with the bacterial infection, according to the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management and the Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH). Potters Pond is located in South Kingston, Rhode Island. The pond is going to remain closed until further notice. An investigation linked the illnesses to shellfish harvested in the area. A shellfish sample collected by RIDOH tested positive for Campylobacter Iari. The shellfish sample doses not match the illnesses from the investigation, however, the positive shellfish sample does indicate the presence of Campylobacter in the pond. More samples are being collected and tested. Two of the … [Read more...]
Eastern Idaho Campylobacter Outbreak Associated with Raw Milk
An Eastern Idaho Campylobacter outbreak is associated with the consumption of raw milk, according to a notice posted on that agency's Facebook page. Eastern Idaho Public Health is working in conjunction with the Idaho State Department of Agriculture and the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare to educate the public about the inherent risks of consuming unpasteurized dairy products. Raw, or unpasteurized, milk and dairy products are associated with many food poisoning outbreaks and illnesses in the past several decades. Pathogens linked to these types of products include Campylobacter, E. coli, Salmonella, Brucella, and Listeria monocytogenes. The notice did not state how many people are sick, the patient age range, illness onset date, or whether or not anyone has been … [Read more...]
Dungeness Valley Creamery Raw Milk Linked to WA Campylobacter Outbreak
A Washington Campylobacter outbreak is linked to Dungeness Valley Creamery raw milk, according to a news release by the Washington State Department of Health. Five lab-positive cases have been identified. The raw milk was purchased in Clallam, Skagit, Kitsap, and Clark Counties. We don't know the patient ages, illness onset dates, or whether anyone has been hospitalized. Dungeness Valley Creamery has issued a voluntary recall of all raw milk products with a Best Buy date of April 13, 2021 or earlier. These products may be contaminated with Campylobacter, which can cause serious illness. The recalled raw milk items are bottled in gallon, half-gallon, quart, and pint containers. The raw milk was sold to customers in western Washington state in the company's on-farm store, outside … [Read more...]
Climate Change Increases Foodborne Illness Outbreak Risk
The effects of climate change are stark and worrying. Most people have heard about rising sea water levels, more wildfires, and more extreme weather events. But did you know that climate change increases foodborne illness outbreak risks? A study published in Scientific Reports by Kuhn et al looks at the relationship between Campylobacter outbreaks and climate in Northern Europe. The researchers used national surveillance data of campylobacteriosis infections in Denmark, Finland, Norway, and Sweden. They found that temperature, rainfall, and snowfall have a predictable effect on infection rates. Higher temperatures and heavier rainfall led to more infections, while shorter heatwaves and winter rain and snowfall reduced the number. Global climate change will change temperatures and … [Read more...]
Possible Campylobacter Outbreak at Rediviva in Aberdeen, WA
Updated July 22, 2020. News reports are saying that a Campylobacter outbreak may have occurred at Rediviva restaurant at 118 Wishkah Street in Aberdeen, Washington. The Grays Harbor County Environmental Health Division learned about a person who tested positive for Campylobacter jejuni on February 25, 2020. That person told investigators he or she ate at Rediviva on Valentine's Day. Environmental Health investigated Rediviva and found several critical violations. Meanwhile, more reports of illness came in. Now there are at least 15 people who are sick after allegedly eating the Valentine's Day dinner meal at that restaurant. July 22, 2020 update: According to investigation documents from the Health Department, the outbreak was likely caused by Chicken Liver Mousse sources from … [Read more...]
Swan Bros. Raw Milk Campylobacter Outbreak Sickens 10 in Oklahoma
A raw milk Campylobacter outbreak in Oklahoma that has sickened ten people is linked to Swan Bros. Dairy, which is located in Claremore. The dairy is recalling its raw milk products, according to the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food, and Forestry. Officials found Campylobacter jejuni in the products. The recalled items are: raw whole milk, raw 2% milk, raw skim milk, and raw heavy cream. They were sold in plastic half-gallons, gallon, and pints directly from the dairy. The milk was sold between April 9, 2020, and June 22, 2020. Raw milk has not been pasteurized, which is a process of briefly heating the milk to destroy pathogens. Because a cow's udders are so close to her anus, milk can be contaminated with many different pathogens, including Campylobacter, E. coli, … [Read more...]
Wild Ginger Restaurant Campylobacter Outbreak in Cortland, NY
The Cortland County Health Department has announced a Wild Ginger restaurant Campylobacter outbreak that has sickened seven people (it may be eight), according to news reports. Those sickened ate at that restaurant between October 18 and October 31, 2019. The Asian Fusion restaurant is located at 47 Main Street in Cortland, New York. All seven patients have lab confirmed infections. The testing is continuing, so there may be more illnesses announced. The Health Department has alerted health care providers in the area to be on the lookout for patients presenting with the symptoms of campylobacteriosis. Those symptoms include fever, abdominal cramps, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea that may be bloody. Most people recover on their own after this infection, but some, especially people … [Read more...]
Campylobacter Outbreak in 2017 Associated with Well Water Supply in Nebraska
The February 22, 2019 issue of the CDC's Morbidity and Morftality Weekly Report had a study about a Campylobacter outbreak in 2017 that was associated with the municipal water supply in Nebraska. At least 39 people were sickened after they drank untreated city water. The city was not named, just called "City A." Apparently, a center pivot irrigation system, that was supposed to pump livestock waste into farmland malfunctioned. Runoff collected in a road ditch near two wells that fed the water supply. There were 33 probable and 6 confirmed cases in this outbreak. Untreated unboiled city A tap water was the only exposure that was significantly associated with illness. The city is served by four untreated wells and an interconnected distribution system. After the wells were … [Read more...]
