The food poisoning outbreak linked to apple cider consumed and sold at the Pike County Fall Color Drive in Illinois on October 17 and 18, 2015 has grown to include at least 70 people as of November 6, 2015. Adams and Pike County Health Departments are investigating the outbreak. Those sickened drank apple cider from vendors at several different locations during the event. Those sickened have been experiencing diarrhea, cramping, and vomiting. Case patients range in age from less than one year to 89 years old. Several people have been hospitalized because their illnesses have been so serious. The illness onset rates in this outbreak range from October 18 through November 4, 2015. New illnesses are being reported daily, according to public health officials. Symptoms include profuse … [Read more...]
Cryptosporidium Outbreak in Pike County, IL Linked to Apple Cider
A cryptosporidium outbreak in Pike County, Illinois has sickened at least 30 people, according to the Pike County Health Department. The initial announcement stated that the outbreak pathogen had not yet been identified, and directed health care providers to test patients for both E. coli and Cryptosporidium. Those sickened attended the Pike County Fall Color Drive on October 17 and 18, 2015 in Barry, Illinois. This event is a large fall festival that spans several communities in the county. Patients who have been sick consumed apple cider from vendors at two locations. News reports have identified the outbreak as cryptosporidiosis, and the symptoms mentioned in the press release from Pike County are those of cryptosporidiosis. Symptoms of those sickened include profuse and … [Read more...]
Cryptosporidiosis Outbreak in Johnson County, Kansas
The Johnson County Department of Health and Environment (JDCHE) has reported that there is a Cryptosporidiosis outbreak in that area. This illness is caused by the protozoan Cryptosporidium parvum. The outbreak is associated with swimming pools in Overland Park and Shawnee. The pool in Overland Park is privately owned and managed by a homeowners' association. That pool has been closed. The City of Shawnee has performed a shock treatment to the pool. This kills the protozoa and removes any potential danger. Public health officials have determined that there is "no public health risk at Shawnee's city pools and that they are safe for the public to continue to visit." So far, three people have been sickened in this outbreak. Logan Marsh, JCDHE director said in a statement, "at this … [Read more...]
Cryptosporidiosis Outbreak Associated with Raw Milk in TN
The Tennessee Department of Health (TDH) is investigating multiple gastrointestinal disease reports among people who consumed raw milk before they got sick. Two cases of cryptosporidiosis have been confirmed in people who live in the Chattanooga/Hamilton County Region. Both cases are associated with raw milk consumption from a dairy cow share program. In the last few months, other individuals have been interviewed about sporadic cases of Campylobacter and Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC), who also drank raw milk from different sources. TDH Commissioner Dr. John Dreyzehener said, "Consuming raw milk in the belief it's healthier than pasteurized milk is a perilous risk that shakes off the possibility of a range of serious and occasionally fatal illnesses for the individuals and … [Read more...]
Cryptosporidium a Frequent Source of Waterpark, Pool Outbreaks
Cryptosporidium is a frequent source of waterpark and pool outbreaks according to a new report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Cryptosporidium is a parasite that causes watery diarrhea, cramps, nausea and other symptoms that last for 10 days. The report looked at waterborne outbreaks reported from 32 states and Puerto Rico in 2011 and 2012. During that time period, 90 treated recreational water outbreaks that caused 1, 788 illnesses, 95 hospitalizations and one death were reported. Recreational water outbreaks happen when contaminated water is accidentally ingested. The source was determined in 73 of the outbreaks. Of those, 37 were caused by Cryptosporidium, a parasite that can survive CDC-recommended chlorine levels and is not trapped in filters. The … [Read more...]
New Study Links Government Food Safety Spending and Illness
A new study conducted at the University of Washington School of Nursing has found that local government spending on food safety and sanitation programs affects the number of illnesses occurring in surrounding areas. Researchers looked at 11 years of data from county health departments in Washington state and New York. In Washington state, cuts to public health programs correlated with increasing Salmonella infections. In New York, cuts to public health programs correlated with increased Cryptosporidium infections. There have been major budget cuts and job losses in many local health departments around the country in recent years. Higher rates of Salmonella infections, which are usually caused by contaminated food, are associated with fewer food safety services. Cryptosporidiosis is … [Read more...]
Cryptosporidium in Raw Goat Milk Sickened 11 in Idaho
Cryptosporidium in raw milk sickened 11 people in Idaho last year, according to a new report from the the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The outbreak, linked to Treasured Sunrise Farms in Parma, Idaho, was the first ever Cryptosporidium raw milk outbreak linked to raw goat milk. A Cryptosporidium raw milk outbreak was linked to raw cow milk in Minnesota in 2010. The 11 ill people sickened ranged in age from 2 months to 76 years. The median age was 11. One person was hospitalized. Symptoms of an infection, which usually develop between two and 10 days of exposure, include: watery diarrhea, abdominal cramps, nausea, fever, vomiting and weight loss. Illness typically lasts one to two weeks, but can linger for up to a month. Because Cryptosporidium infections can’t … [Read more...]
Cryptosporidium Outbreak in Hillsborough County, Florida
According to WTSP, the Florida Department of Health in Hillsborough County is reporting an increase in cryptosporidium cases since July 1, 2014. Public health officials say that 157 cases have been reported by DOH-Hillsborough in the last two months. Last year, there were only 11 cases during the same time period. Many of those sickened spent time at day care or schools during the incubation period. Most of those sickened are under the age of 15. Cryptosporidium is a parasite that is passed through infected feces. It is spread after improper hand washing after using the bathroom or changing diapers. It spreads easily in chlorinated swimming pools and through hand-to-mouth contact. Because of this alarming increase in the case count, officials are asking the public to help prevent … [Read more...]
Cryptosporidium Raw Goat Milk Outbreak is a First
Cryptosporidium raw milk outbreaks aren't common. The current outbreak, linked to raw goat's milk produced by Treasured Sunrise Farms in Parma, Idaho, is the first time a raw goat milk outbreak has been reported in 16 years of records at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The only other Cryptosporidium raw milk outbreak was linked to raw cow milk in Minnesota in 2010. Idaho agriculture officials put a temporary hold on sales of Treasured Sunrise goat milk after two illnesses were reported and a sample of the milk tested positive for the parasite. The contaminated milk was sold on or after August 24 in stores in Boise, Caldwell, Ketchum, and Star. Consumers who have purchased it should not drink it. In 2010, an outbreak linked to raw cow's milk on the Hartmann … [Read more...]
Cryptosporidium in Raw Milk Sickens 2 in Idaho
Cryptosporidium in raw goat milk from Treasured Sunrise Farm in Parma, Idaho has sickened at least two people. Consumers who have purchased raw goat milk from the farm on or after August 24 should not drink it. The milk was sold in stores in Boise, Caldwell, Ketchum, and Star. Cryptosporidium is a parasite that is spread when microscopic amounts of feces from an infected human or animal are ingested. It takes fewer than 10 organisms to cause an infection. Outbreaks are commonly associated with water parks and daycare centers. There isn't a drug that effectively treats a cryptosporidium infection which puts immune compromised individuals at significant risk. Symptoms, which usually develop between two and 10 days of exposure, include: watery diarrhea, abdominal cramps, nausea, fever, … [Read more...]
