The E. coli O157:H7 outbreak cases have increased, according to the latest FDA CORE Outbreak Investigation Table. There are only two outbreaks currently being investigated, which is an unusually low number. That E. coli outbreak is not attached to any food yet. The case count has increased to 12 cases from nine, in the last update. The FDA has initiated traceback to try to isolate a product, but no recall has been initiated, no products have been sampled, and no inspection has taken place. For the other outbreak on the table, the Salmonella Typhimurium outbreak that is linked to Infinite Herbs fresh organic basil, another real has been added. Melissa's Organic Basil, in two sizes, was sold at Dierberg's stores in Illinois and Missouri in February 2024. Check to make sure you do … [Read more...]
New E. coli O157:H7 Outbreak on FDA CORE Table
A new E. coli O157:H7 outbreak has been announced on the FDA's CORE Outbreak Investigation Table. There are only two active investigations on that table. The new E. coli O157:H7 outbreak has sickened at least nine people. We do not know the states where the ill persons live, the patient age range, illness onset dates, or what type of food is linked to this outbreak. The FDA has started conducted traceback. The second outbreak on the table is the Salmonella Typhimurium outbreak that is linked to Infinite Herbs fresh organic basil. There are at least 12 people in seven states sick in that outbreak. Two recalls have been issued in relation to that outbreak. The Listeria monocytogenes outbreak linked to Rizo-Lopez queso fresco and cotija cheese has ended and that investigation was … [Read more...]
West Seattle PCC Community Markets E. coli Outbreak Alleged
An alleged West Seattle PCC Community Markets E. coli outbreak has sickened at least five people, according to Public Health - Seattle & King County. One person has been hospitalized. That facility is located at 2749 California Avenue SW in Seattle, Washington. The strain of E. coli that is allegedly making people sick is Shiga toxin-producing E. coli O157:H7 (STEC). This pathogen produces Shiga toxins, which can travel through the bloodstream destroying red blood cells. If enough damaged red blood cells reach the kidney, they can clog small tubes in that organ called glomeruli and can cause kidney damage and failure, which is known as hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). The illness onset date range is from February 14, 2024 to February 28, 2024. The date that the suspected … [Read more...]
Raw Farm Raw Cheddar E. coli O157:H7 Outbreak Sickens 11
The Raw Farm raw Cheddar E. coli O157:H7 outbreak has now sickened at least 11 people in five states, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Raw Farm voluntarily recalled their cheese on February 19, 2024 but has since withdrawn that recall. The FDA and CDC continue to recommend that people not eat the cheese because epidemiological evidence indicates that, "Raw Farm brand raw cheddar cheese is making people in this outbreak sick." In interviews with public health officials, 7 of 9 people interviewed, or 75%, said they ate Raw Farm raw Cheddar cheese before they got sick. This percentage is significantly higher than the 4.9% of respondents who reported eating any raw milk cheese in the FoodNet Population Survey. In addition, whole genome sequencing … [Read more...]
Raw Farms Recalls Raw Cheddar Cheese For E. coli O157:H7
Raw Farms recalls raw Cheddar cheese for possible E. coli O157:H7 contamination. This cheese is linked to an E. coli O157:H7 outbreak that has sickened at least 10 people in four states, with four hospitalizations. The patients live in California, Utah, Colorado, and Texas. The voluntarily recalled products are cheese block older than batch 20231113-1 and shredded cheese older than batch 20240116. The recalled items are Raw Cheddar Cheese - Pound Block with barcode 835204000156 and item number 1075. Also recalled is Raw Cheddar Cheese - Half Pound Block with barcode 835204001177 and item number 1050. Finally, Raw Cheddar Cheese - Half Pound Shred is recalled. The barcode for that item is 1080. All are Raw Farms brand. On February 15, 2024, Raw Farm was contacted by the FDA and … [Read more...]
E. coli Outbreak at Six Calgary Daycare Centers Sickens 128
An E. coli outbreak at six Calgary, Alberta daycare centers has sickened at least 128 people, according to Alberta Health Services and news reports. Since AHS last released an update on September 4, 2023, five more daycare centers located in that city in Canada have been added. As of September 7, 2023, 25 children are hospitalized. Nine patients have developed hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), and three children have been discharged from the hospital. The facilities identified by Alberta Health Services, which are all located in Calgary, have been issued a closure order. They are: Fueling Brains Braeside Fueling Brains West 85th Fueling Brains New Brighton Fueling Brains Centennial Fueling Brains Bridgeland Fueling Brains McKnight Braineer Academy Kidz Space Little Oak … [Read more...]
E. coli Outbreak in Utah County, Utah Sickens 8, 5 Hospitalized
An E. coli outbreak in Utah County, Utah has sickened at least eight people. Five of those people have been hospitalized because they are so sick. Two of the cases have confirmed E. coli O57:H7 infections. All patients are residents of Lehi City in that county or have close ties to the area, according to Lehi City officials. A three-year-old girl is one of the hospitalized patients according to news reports. While epidemiologists are working to find the source of the infection, preliminary results indicate that using pressurized irrigation water for drinking and play may be the source of the pathogen. Mark Johnson, Mayor of Lehi City, said in a statement, "This is a critical situation, and I am concerned for the public. I want residents to be aware that pressurized irrigation water … [Read more...]
CDC Discusses 2022 Lucky Ladd Farms E. coli Outbreak
In the CDC's Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR) for the week of July 21, 2023, the 2022 Lucky Ladd Farms E. coli O157:H7 outbreak is discussed. In that outbreak, 12 children were sickened after visiting the farm in Tennessee, and there were two secondary infections. Three week-long summer camps were held at that farm during the summer. Animal husbandry was taught; children aged 6 to 10 were assigned a baby goat to care for. Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) bacteria live in the guts of ruminant animals such as goats, sheep, cattle, and deer, but the animal does not get sick. They excrete the pathogen in their feces. This outbreak was similar to petting zoo outbreaks which have occurred over the years. The Tennessee Department of Health conducted an environmental … [Read more...]
New E. coli O157:H7 Outbreak on FDA CORE Outbreak Table
A new E. coli O157:H7 outbreak has been listed on the FDA's CORE Outbreak Investigation Table, joining six other outbreaks that are currently being investigated. Four of the seven outbreaks have not been linked to any product. The new E. coli O157:H7 outbreak has sickened at least 11 people. The FDA has established traceback but there is no recall, on-site inspection, or sample collection and analysis. We do not know there the ill persons live, the patient age range, or if anyone has been hospitalized. In the first Cyclospora outbreak investigation, the case count has increased from 105 to 112. In that outbreak, sample collection and analysis has begun. In the second cyclospora outbreak, the FDA has initiated onside inspection along with sample collection and analysis. The … [Read more...]
Tennessee E. coli Raw Milk Outbreak Sickened Two Infants
A Tennessee E. coli raw milk outbreak sickened two infants in 2022, according to a study conducted by the Centers For Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and published in their weekly Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report. One of the babies developed hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) and became seriously ill. The milk was sold through a cow-share arrangement, since raw milk, or unpasteurized dairy, sales through retail outlets are illegal in that state. The two infants, who were 10 months old at the time, got sick on July 25 and August 1, 2022. Stool specimens tested positive for Shiga toxin-producing E. coli bacteria (STEC) by polymerase chain reaction. One of the infants developed hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a type of kidney failure, and was hospitalized for 27 days. The … [Read more...]
