For the fifth straight year, more than 1,000 Americans developed cyclosporiasis, a parasitic infection, from food sold, and some of it grown, in the U.S. Decades ago, these Cyclospora infections, which are characterized by frequent bouts of explosive diarrhea, were associated with travel to underdeveloped countries with tropical or subtropical climates. But the sharp rise of non-travel-related (NTR) illnesses since 2013 gave birth to a Cyclospora season in the U.S. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) tracks the number of NTR Cyclospora cases reported each season, which runs from May to September, and publishes monthly updates. Here's what those annual totals look like over the last 10 years: Humans are the only known reservoirs for Cyclospora. So when people … [Read more...]
Deadly Fresh Express Listeria Monocytogenes Outbreak Ends With 10 Sick
The deadly Fresh Express Listeria monocytogenes outbreak has ended with 10 people sick in eight states. One person, who lived in Pennsylvania, died. Fresh Express recalled its packaged salads that were produced in its Streamwood, Illinois facility on December 20, 2021. The case count has remained unchanged since the last update on December 22, 2021. The patient case count by state is: Illinois (1), Massachusetts (1), Michigan (1), New Jersey (2), New York (1), Ohio (1), Pennsylvania (2), and Virginia (1). Illness onset dates range from July 26, 2016 through October 19, 2021. The patient age range is from 44 to 95 years. All 10 people were hospitalized. Whole genome sequencing performed on isolates from sick people showed that they are closely related genetically, which means that … [Read more...]
Enteroinvasive E. coli O143:H26 Outbreak on FDA CORE Table
A new outbreak has been listed on the FDA's CORE Outbreak Investigation Table: Enteroinvasive E. coli O143:H26 that is not linked to any specific food. At least 16 people are sick in this unusual outbreak. This particular serovar has not often been seen in the United States before, but has been observed occasionally in Europe. Enteroinvasive E. coli bacteria (EIEC) do not produce Shiga toxins. This particular pathogen is closely related to Shigella and scientists think it causes watery diarrhea through invasion of epithelial cells in the colon. Symptoms of this infection include abdominal cramps, lethargy, abdominal pain and cramps, and occasionally fever. There is not much information available on the efficacy of antimicrobial therapy for this infection. So far, no recall has … [Read more...]
New E. coli O121:H19 Outbreak on FDA CORE Investigation Table
A new E. coli O121:H19 outbreak has been posted on the FDA's CORE Outbreak Investigation Table. This outbreak, which has sickened at least four people, has already ended. The investigation, however, is still active and traceback has been initiated. The FDA stated, "A new outbreak of E. coli O121: H19 with an unidentified vehicle has been added. This outbreak does not appear to be ongoing, as the last illness onset occurred in November 2021. FDA has initiated traceback and other investigational activities in an effort to learn more about possible sources or routes of contamination." We'll keep you informed as the investigation into this new E. coli O121:H19 outbreak continues. And the outbreak of Salmonella Javiana, which sickened at least 65 people, has also ended with no … [Read more...]
Four Leafy Greens Outbreaks; How Do You Protect Yourself?
With four leafy greens outbreaks currently ongoing in the United States at this time (and several recalls), how do you protect yourself against foodborne illness? The CDC has some answers. From 2014 to 2018, there were 51 foodborne illness outbreaks linked to leafy greens. Five of those were multistate outbreaks reported to the public. (Most foodborne illnesses are not part of a recognized outbreak, and many are not multistate so the CDC does not cover them.) In 2019 to 2021, there were nine multistate outbreaks linked to leafy greens. And just in the last week of 2021, three of those outbreaks were announced. The current outbreaks are: Josie's Organics baby spinach E. coli outbreak. This outbreak, with illness onset dates ranging from October 13, 2021, to October 27, 2021, … [Read more...]
CDC Weighs in on Deadly Fresh Express Listeria Monocytogenes Outbreak
The CDC is weighing in on the deadly Fresh Express Listeria monocytogenes outbreak linked to that company's bagged salads. Ten people are sick, all ten have been hospitalized, and one person, who lived in Pennsylvania, has sadly died. The patient case count by state is: Illinois (1), Massachusetts (1), Michigan (1), New Jersey (2), New York (1), Ohio (1), Pennsylvania (2), and Virginia (1). Illness onset dates range from July 26, 2016 through October 19, 2021. The patient age range is from 44 to 95 years. Whole genome sequencing performed on isolates from sick people showed that they are closely related genetically, which means that people in this outbreak likely got sick from eating the same food. Of the five people interviewed by public health investigators, four said they ate … [Read more...]
Fresh Express Salad Listeria Monocytogenes Outbreak Sickens 10
A Fresh Express salad Listeria monocytogenes outbreak has sickened at least ten people in eight states and has hospitalized all ten patients. One person has died, according to the FDA. We do not yet know the patent case count by state or the patient age range, but the states where the patients live or lived include Illinois, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Virginia. Illness onset dates range from July 26, 2016 to October 19, 2021. We will have more information when the CDC publishes their investigation report. The salads were distributed in North Dakota, Minnesota, Iowa, Missouri, Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Kentucky, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Maryland, New Jersey, Connecticut, Rhode Island, New Hampshire, New York, Massachusetts, and … [Read more...]
Listeria Outbreak May Be Associated with Fresh Express Fresh Salad Items
A Listeria outbreak that may be associated with Fresh Express fresh salad items is referenced in a massive recall notice posted by the company. The Centers for Diseases Control and Prevention (CDC) has not announced the outbreak, but the FDA has. However, a December 18, 2021 press release issued by the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development stated that they found Listeria monocytogenes in the company's Sweet Hearts Romaine Lettuce Sweet Butter Lettuce. At that point Fresh Express had notified grocery stores that salads packaged in their Streamwood, IL facility should be recalled. Fresh Express did not issue a public recall notice by press release until December 20th. In its recall notice Fresh Express stated that there are: "ten illnesses associated with the strain … [Read more...]
Bagged Salad Cyclospora Outbreak is Number Two Outbreak of 2020
The bagged salad cyclospora outbreak that sickened at least 701 people in 14 states is the number two multistate food poisoning outbreak of 2020. Thirty-eight people were hospitalized because they were so sick. The bagged salad was produced by Fresh Express and contained carrots, red cabbage, and iceberg lettuce. The case count by state is: Georgia (1), Illinois (211), Iowa (206), Kansas (5), Massachusetts (1), Michigan (4), Minnesota (86), Missouri (57), Nebraska (55), North Dakota (6), Ohio (7), Pennsylvania (2), South Dakota (13), and Wisconsin (47). Illness onset dates ranged from May 11, 2020 through July 24, 2020. The patient age range is from 11 years to 92 years. Exposures were reported in these 13 states: Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, … [Read more...]
Expired Fresh Express Caesar Salad Recalled For Possible E. coli O26
Expired Fresh Express Caesar Salad Kits are being recalled for possible E. coli O26 contamination. The recall is for product that is eight days past its use by date. Some of this product may still be in consumers' homes, although that is unlikely. This salad kit was sold mostly in western and southwestern U.S. states. The "possible distribution" includes these states: Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, North Dakota, New Mexico, Nevada, Oregon, Texas, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming. This recall is not posted on the USDA or FDA web sites, but was released by the company. The recalled product is a "limited number" of cases of expired 10.5 ounce packages of Fresh Express Kit Caesar Supreme. The use by date printed on the package is November 8, 2020. The … [Read more...]
