The investigation into the E. coli O157:H7 outbreak at Heart Centered Montessori School in West Linn, Oregon has been closed with no resolution. Officials say they cannot solve the case. Environmental samples and samples from the students and staff all tested negative. The outbreak, which began in late October, 2014, sickened three children. Two were quickly diagnosed with E. coli O157:H7 infections, and the third was later diagnosed with the same infection. The owner of the school closed that facility and reopened in a new location earlier this month. The E. coli bacteria infects people through the fecal-oral route. It is spread through contact with animals or by eating or drinking contaminated food or water. The symptoms of the infection include severe abdominal pain, mild fever, … [Read more...]
NAMA Conference Presents Trends in Beef and Food Poisoning
The North American Meat Association (NAMA) held its Pathogen Control and Regulatory Compliance in Beef Processing conference last week, and reported on the foodborne disease outbreaks that are attributed to meat. Meatingplace.com says that Hannah Gould of the CDC's National Outbreak Reporting System reported on the data. According to the data, about 9% of foodborne illness outbreaks in the U.S. are attributed to beef; 9% to chicken; and 7% to pork. Between 2009 and 2013, of the illnesses linked to beef, 35% involved E. coli O157:H7 and 23% were caused by Salmonella. And between 2003 and 2012, 55% of all E. coli outbreaks attributed to food were associated with beef consumption. Of those outbreaks, 69% were from ground beef, 14% from steaks and 17% from other beef products. This … [Read more...]
Boil Water Order for E. coli Lifted For Mercer Island, WA
The boil water advisory for E. coli in the City of Mercer Island, Washington has been lifted as of October 8, 2014. Restaurants can reopen after speaking directly with a Health Inspector and following step by step procedures. Residents should flush their water systems at home. Follow these steps: flush pipes for five minutes by running the cold water tap at all faucets. If you live in a multi-level house, start at the top of the house. If the water is discolored, run water until it is clear. You may notice a strong chlorine smell - this is not harmful and shows that disinfected water has reached the house. The smell will abate if left to stand in a pitcher. Follow manufacturer's instructions for appliances such as water softeners and filters. Throw away ice from automatic ice-makers; … [Read more...]
Mercer Island, WA Still Under Boil Water Advisory
The City of Mercer Island, Washington has issued another statement on the boil water advisory in place for E. coli found in the water supply. Officials have set a timeline for ending the advisory. For the fifth day in a row, all of the latest water-sample tests are clear. But one child has been diagnosed with an E. coli O157:H7 infection. Lab tests are still pending to see if this illness is linked to the water supply problem or is the result of exposure to another source such as contaminated meat, raw milk, or feces. Mayor Bruce Bassett said, "We know this incident has been challenging, and we thank Islanders for their patience, as well as star and partner agencies. At this point, we are all eager to see life return to normal, but our first priority is protecting the health of our … [Read more...]
Increase in E. coli Illnesses in Edmonton, Alberta
Alberta Health Services in Canada is announcing a recent cluster of E. coli O157:H7 illnesses in Edmonton Zone. The government is not releasing any officials information about the probable cause of this increase, but other news agencies are reporting that bean sprouts may be the culprit. liMost of the people who have been sickened reported becoming ill in the last week. The government is advising consumers to take precautions to prevent this illness when preparing food. This is good advice for any person. Cook beef to at least 160°F - in fact, cook all ground meats to that temperature. Always wash vegetables and fruits before cutting or eating. Scrub firm-skinend produce such as cantaloupes with a brush under running water. Wash your hands frequently with hot, soapy water, after … [Read more...]
Use a Food Thermometer This Holiday Weekend
The USDA is reminding consumers to use a food thermometer when cooking this holiday weekend. There is an ongoing E. coli O157:H7 outbreak associated with undercooked hamburgers that has sickened at least 11 people in four states. That outbreak is also associated with a recall of 1.8 million pounds of ground beef produce by Wolverine Packing Company. Just remember to practice safe food handling techniques to protect yourself and your family. The pathogenic bacteria that cause foodborne illness are killed when foods are heated to the correct temperature. For ground beef and other ground meats, that is 160°F. Hot dogs should be cooked to 165°F, poultry to 165°F, whole cuts of pork, beef, lamb, and veal to 145°F (followed by a three-minute rest time), and fish to 145°F. Whole cuts of … [Read more...]
As Michigan Struggles with E. coli Outbreak, USDA Studies Cattle
A new study conducted by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and published in Agricultural Research magazine is finding that about 2% of cattle in this country may be "supershedders" who shed high levels of pathogenic E. coli O157:H7 in their manure. This information comes as an E. coli O157:H7 outbreak in Michigan and Ohio is associated with undercooked ground beef. Supershedding is very problematic because it could "increase the amount of E. coli O157:H7 that makes its way from pasture or feedlot pen into the packing houses where steaks, roasts, ground round, or other beef products are prepared." This study may provide new ways to curb shedding of this bacterium. The study was conducted on 6,000 head of feedlot cattle and more than 13,000 manure, hide, and carcass samples. … [Read more...]
E. coli in Apple Cider Yields Lifelong Health Issues, Felony Conviction
A Michigan farmer who was repeatedly told to stop making apple cider because he was not meeting food safety standards is headed to jail after an E.coli outbreak linked to the cider hospitalized four people including two small children. Some of those sickened will likely have lifelong health problems stemming from their E.coli O157:H7 infections. James Ruster, the owner of Mitchell Hill Farm in Ellsworth, is the first person to be convicted of a felony under Michigan’s Food Law. Ruster pled guilty to willful misbranding and adulteration of food products and was sentenced on February 18, 2014 to 14 to 48 months in prison, plus fines and court costs. “It’s paramount that we maintain the safety of Michigan’s food and agriculture products. Mr. Ruster showed a blatant neglect for not only … [Read more...]
CDC: Don’t Eat Raw Ground Meat!
The CDC's Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report for this week focuses on the E. coli O157:H7 outbreak in December 2012 associated with seasonal consumption of raw ground beef. So-called "cannibal sandwiches" or "tiger meat" are made from raw ground beef, served on rye bread with onions. This is a traditional seasonal holiday specialty in certain regions of the upper Midwest. All of the 17 patients' illnesses were traced back to raw ground beef purchased from a single market. Overall, more than 50 people have been sickened from eating raw ground beef over the years in Wisconsin. The market, Glenn's Market and Catering of Watertown, recalled 2,532 pounds of the raw ground beef after people started getting sick. Of the 17 patients (four were confirmed with the outbreak strain of … [Read more...]
Lettuce was Likely Cause of Federico’s E. coli O157:H7 Outbreak
In a new report, the Maricopa County Department of Public Health (MCDPH) says lettuce was the likely cause of an E. coli O157:H7 outbreak at Federico's Mexican Food restaurant last summer. Ninety-four people were sickened in that outbreak. Two patients developed hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a serious complication of a STEC infection that damages the kidneys and can cause kidney failure, seizures, strokes, and death. People who ate at the restaurant were sickened between July 18 and July 30, 2013. MCDPH was contacted about a potential cluster of cases with bloody diarrhea on July 30, 2013. Many of the patient's family members said that the only shared meal was at Federico's Mexican Restaurant at 13132 W. Camelback Road in Litchfield Park, AZ. Preliminary results from restaurant … [Read more...]
