A deadly fourth Salmonella outbreak linked to imported Maradol papayas has been reported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). In this outbreak, linked to Salmonella Anatum infections, 14 people in 3 states are sick. Five people have been hospitalized. One person in California has died. Three other outbreaks are also linked to imported Maradol papayas. In those outbreaks, 215 people have been sickened. The case count by state is: Arizona (1), California (12), and Colorado (1). This outbreak is one of four separate outbreaks linked to Maradol papayas imported from Mexico. Illnesses started on dates ranging from December 20, 2017 to April 8, 2017. The patient age range is from less than 1 year to 85, with a median age of 38. Ninety-two percent of patients are … [Read more...]
E. coli Outbreak After Mesa County Fair in Grand Junction, CO
At least eight people are sick with Shiga toxin-producing E. coli infections after visiting the Mesa County Fair in Grand Junction, Colorado, according to a news release by Mesa County Public Health. The fair was held from July 25 to July 29, 2017. This type of pathogenic bacteria is common in cattle, sheep, and goats, according to the press release. People can get sick when they come into contact with these animals, their bedding, fence railings, or anything in the surrounding environment. The animals shed E. coli in their feces, and it can get onto their coats or contaminate anything in the area. Public health officials have also been in contact with child care providers and health care providers to try to determine the magnitude of the outbreak and prevent further illnesses. … [Read more...]
Outbreak at CO Rifle Rodeo was Clostridium Perfringens
Clostridium perfringens caused illnesses at the Rifle Rodeo in Garfield County Colorado in early June, according to a press release from the Garfield County Health Department. That event was held on June 5, 2017 at the Garfield County Fairgrounds. About 80 people were sickened in that outbreak. An unlicensed vendor served food at the privately organized event. Samples were sent to the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment. Interviews conducted by public health officials helped pinpoint the source of the food that caused the illnesses. Yvonne Long, Executive Director of Garfield County Public Health said in a statement, "The Rifle Rodeo is a privately-organized event. It should be noted that this particular food vendor has a primary location that has been … [Read more...]
Outbreak at Rifle Rodeo in Garfield County, Colorado
Garfield County Public Health is investigating a possible illness outbreak among attendees at the Rifle Rodeo in Colorado. The county's Public Health Agency is investigating gastrointestinal illnesses among "several dozen" people who got sick after going to that event. The department began receiving calls on June 6, 2017 from people who had been experiencing nausea, cramping, and diarrhea. The Rifle Rodeo was a private event held at the Garfield County Fairgrounds on June 5, 2017. About 200 people were at the rodeo. Billy Harkins, Environmental Health Specialist with the Garfield County Consumer Protection Program said, "It appears that people became ill approximately six hours following the end of the rodeo event Monday night. We are still investigating the cause of the … [Read more...]
Campylobacter Outbreak in Pueblo County CO Linked to Raw Milk
A Campylobacter outbreak in Pueblo County, Colorado has sickened at least 20 people, according to news releases from El Paso County Public Health and the Pueblo City-County Department of Public Health. Twelve confirmed and eight probable cases of Campylobacter infections have been reported to public health officials since August 1, 2016. The most recent illness onset date was September 16, 2016. All of those sickened reported drinking raw milk from Larga Vista Ranch in Pueblo County. All of those case patients live in Pueblo and El Paso counties. The state health department has notified about 175 people who are participants in the Larga Vista cow share operation on September 8, 2016 about this problem and are doing so again today. These types of operations let people buy a share … [Read more...]
CDC Confirms E. coli Outbreak in CO, ID, and NY
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has confirmed to Food Poisoning Bulletin that the E. coli outbreak in Washington state that is associated with the Matador restaurant also includes patients in three other states. No additional cases have been identified as of Friday, September 16, 2016. Seven people in Washington state are also infected with the same E. coli strain. Lola S. Russell, Senior Health Communications Specialist for the CDC stated, "CDC is assisting the Washington State Department of Health with an investigation related to an E. coli outbreak potentially linked to a Seattle restaurant. Three cases of E. coli with the same DNA fingerprint in three other states (Colorado, Idaho, and New York) are under investigation to determine if they are linked to the … [Read more...]
Salmonella Outbreak at Oscar’s Taco Bar in Colorado
A Salmonella outbreak has been linked to Oscar's Taco Bar in Breckenridge, Colorado. At least 16 people have been sickened. The restaurant was closed from July 15 through the 22, 2016, for inspection and cleaning. The outbreak was solved because those sickened visited their doctors after they became ill. The doctors sent stool samples to the state laboratory for confirmation of diagnosis, because Salmonella is a reportable condition in Colorado. Summit County inspection reports reveal problems at the restaurant. An inspection on July 15, 2016 focused on a complaint concerning possible illness. Officials found that a jug of milk was stored in the wine fridge that was 60°F and spoiled. A bag of spinach was in direct contact with raw beef in the walk in cooler. Raw fish was stored … [Read more...]
Four Sick in Colorado; May Be From Wonderful Pistachios
Fox News Denver is reporting that Colorado may be added to the list of states in the Wonderful pistachios Salmonella outbreak. That product is linked to a multistate Salmonella Montevideo outbreak that has sickened at least 11 people in 9 other states. Four people in one family in that state tested positive for Salmonella infections, although the report does not state if the strain of Salmonella that sickened those people is the outbreak strain. The family in Colorado said they were not aware of the Wonderful pistachio recall. The pistachios were recalled in the U.S. and in Canada after the outbreak was discovered. The recalled nuts linked to the outbreak were sold under the brand names Trader Joe's, Paramount Farms, and Wonderful. In addition, nuts sold under the brand names … [Read more...]
Costco E. coli O157:H7 Chicken Salad Outbreak: It’s the Veggies
The FDA has announced that it appears onions and celery in Costco chicken salad may be the source of E. coli O157:H7 bacteria that has sickened at least 19 people in 7 states. Those people live in California (1), Colorado (4), Missouri (1), Montana (6), Utah (5), Virginia (1), and Washington state (1). According to news outlets, Taylor Farms in Salinas, California is the supplier of the vegetables for Costco Wholesale. The vegetables from that supplier are used in the chicken salads sold in all of the company's U.S. stores. Of those 19 ill persons, 16 have been interviewed. Fourteen of those people purchased or ate rotisserie chicken salad from Costco stores the week before they got sick. Five of the patients have been hospitalized, and two are suffering from hemolytic uremic syndrome … [Read more...]
Here’s What to Do if You Purchased Costco Chicken Salad Linked to an E. coli Outbreak
Chicken salad made and sold at Costco Wholesale stores in seven states has sickened at least 19 people with E. coli O157:H7 infections. Those sickened live in Washington state, Montana, California, Utah, Colorado, Missouri, and Virginia. The CDC, FDA, and USDA are investigating this outbreak, along with public health officials in the affected states. Five of the 19 patients have been hospitalized, and two have developed hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). Fourteen of sixteen people interviewed purchased or ate rotisserie chicken salad from Costco the week before they got sick. With such a wide distribution of case patients, it's probable that an ingredient used to make that salad in the stores and purchased in bulk by Costco is the source of the pathogenic bacteria. It is not probable … [Read more...]
