The ground beef E. coli O103 outbreak has ended with 209 people sick in 10 states and 29 hospitalized, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Two people developed hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a type of kidney failure. The outbreak notice states that ill people in this outbreak ate ground beef from many sources. No single source of contamination was identified. But two processors did recall ground beef that may have been contaminated with E. coli O103. The case count by state is: Florida (5), Georgia (51), Illinois (1), Indiana (1), Kentucky (76), Minnesota (1), Mississippi (1), Ohio (12), Tennessee (59), and Virginia (2). Illness onset dates range from March 1, 2019 to May 1, 2019. The patient age range was less than 1 year to 84 years. Two … [Read more...]
Georgia, Kentucky, Tennessee Hardest Hit in Ground Beef E. coli O103 Outbreak
The states that have been the hardest hit in the ground beef E. coli O103 outbreak are Georgia, Kentucky, and Tennessee. Those states combined have 173 of the 196 people sickened in this outbreak. The outbreak does seem to be slowing down, according to the epidemiological Date of Illness Onset chart. Most cases were diagnosed in mid-March 2019, and have trailed off since then. But even though two companies have recalled raw ground beef products, the outbreak continues to grow. According to the epi chart, there could be as many as 50 more cases in this outbreak before it ends. States are investigating more illnesses that may be part of this outbreak. This outbreak actually begin in Kentucky, when public health officials there noticed a spike in E. coli cases. At first, … [Read more...]
Ground Beef E. coli O103 Outbreak Grows to 196 Sick
The ground beef E. coli O103 outbreak has now sickened at least 196 people in 10 states, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Twenty-eight people have been hospitalized because they are so sick. Two people have developed hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). No one has died. That's an addition of 19 more ill persons since the last update on April 26, 2019. The patient case count by state is: Florida (5), Georgia (49), Illinois (1), Indiana (1), Kentucky (69), Minnesota (1), Mississippi (1), Ohio (12), Tennessee (55), and Virginia (2). The patient age range is from less than 1 year to 84 years, with a median age of 19. The hospitalization rate is 16%. The outbreak notice states that "Ill people in this outbreak ate ground beef from many sources. Some … [Read more...]
Kentucky, Georgia, Tennessee Hit Hardest in Ground Beef E. coli O103 Outbreak
Consumers in Kentucky, Georgia, and Tennessee have been hit hardest in the ground beef E. coli O103 outbreak that has sickened at least 177 people in 10 states. Those states alone have 158 sickened in this outbreak. According to CDC and FDA reports, no one has developed hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a type of kidney failure, in this outbreak, and no one has died. But 21 people have been hospitalized because their illness is so severe. There have been two recalls of ground beef associated with this outbreak, although the CDC report states that there is no one business or brand that can account for all of the illnesses in this outbreak. K2D Foods recalled 113,424 pounds of raw ground beef products for possible E. coli O103 contamination on April 24, 2019. And Grant Park Packing … [Read more...]
K2D Foods Recalls Ground Beef For E. coli O103 Contamination; No “Definitive” Link to Outbreak
K2D Foods, doing business as Colorado Premium Foods of Carrolton, Georgia, is recalling 113,424 pounds of raw ground beef products for possible E. coli O103 contamination. There is an unsolved ongoing E. coli O103 outbreak that is linked to ground beef, but the recall notice states, "Further testing is ongoing to determine if the recalled ground beef products are related to the E. coli O103 outbreak." These items were produced on March 26, March 29, April 2, April 5, April 10, and April 12, 2019. The recalled product is two 24-pound vacuum-packed packages in cardboard boxes containing raw "GROUND BEEF PUCK." The "Use Thru" dates on the product are 4/14/19, 4/17/19, 4/20/19, 4/23/19, 4/28/19, and 4/30/19. These products have the establishment number "EST. 51308" inside the USDA mark … [Read more...]
Ground Beef E. coli O103 Outbreak: Now 156 Sick in 10 States
The ground beef E. coli O103 outbreak has now sickened at least 156 people in 10 states. according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Twenty people are hospitalized because they are so ill. UPDATE: K2D Foods has recalled more than 100,000 pounds of ground beef for possible E. coli O103 contamination. But the recall notice states that "At this time, there is no definitive link between this positive product and the ongoing E. coli O103 outbreak." That's an increase of 47 more patients since the last update on April 12, 2019. The states that are added to the outbreak are Florida, Illinois, Minnesota, and Mississippi. Food Poisoning Bulletin told you about the increase in cases in Georgia and Kentucky yesterday. But the Georgia outbreak has grown by even more … [Read more...]
Georgia E. coli O103 Outbreak: 27 Are Now Sick
The Georgia E. coli O103 outbreak that is linked to ground beef has now sickened 27 people, Nancy Nydam of the Georgia Department of Public Health told Food Poisoning Bulletin. That is an increase of 10 cases since the last update by the CDC, which released on April 12, 2019. The press release about this outbreak issued by Georgia is from 12 days ago, and only lists 17 illness. Three people in Georgia are hospitalized. No one has developed HUS, and there are no deaths. This outbreak began with patients diagnosed in Kentucky in late March 2019, and has grown explosively over the past few weeks. Originally, 20 people were diagnosed in Kentucky, with a few in other states. When the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention got involved, the cases jumped up to 109. At first, the … [Read more...]
CDC Says Ground Beef E. coli O103 Outbreak; 109 Now Sick
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has released information today stating that preliminary information indicates that ground beef is the source of the E. coli O103 outbreak that started in Kentucky in late March 2019. And 109 people are now sick in this ground beef E. coli O103 outbreak; 17 have been hospitalized. In addition, Indiana has been added to the case count, with one person ill in that state. The case count by state is: Indiana (1), Georgia (17), Kentucky (54), Ohio (7), Tennessee (28), and Virginia (2). Illness onset dates range from March 2 to March 26, 2019. The patient age range is less than 1 year to 83, with a median age of 18. No cases of hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), which is a type of kidney failure, have been reported yet. Ill persons … [Read more...]
Hepatitis A Exposure at Zaxby’s in Savannah, Georgia
A food handler at Zaxby's restaurant at 5971 Ogeechee Road in Savannah, Georgia has been diagnosed with hepatitis A, according to the Coastal Health District of Georgia. Anyone who ate food or drank beverages at that facility from March 29, 2019 through April 3, 2019 is at risk for developing the illness. While it is rare for restaurant patrons to get sick when a food handler is sick, it does happen. This virus is very contagious. This exposure period is within the two week period when a hepatitis A or immune globulin vaccination is effective. Anyone who ate there on March 29, 2019 has to get a vaccine today or they will not be protected. Most pharmacies offer these vaccinations, or contact your health care provider to get one. The symptoms of hepatitis A include loss of … [Read more...]
Georgia Hard Hit by Mystery E. coli O103 Outbreak
Georgia has been hard hit by the mystery E. coli O103 outbreak that has sickened at least 96 people in 5 states. Public health officials still do not know what is causing these illnesses. At least 17 people are sick in Georgia, with three in the hospital because their illnesses are so serious. Others are ill in Kentucky, Ohio, Tennessee, and Virginia. This outbreak was first announced by the Kentucky Department of Health on March 29, 2019, with 20 sick. It has grown very quickly, more than quadrupling in size in 11 days. Officials have not yet said if any food or restaurant or grocery stores is connected to this outbreak. Some news reports stated that fast food may be associated with the illnesses, or some type of food delivery system. Other rumors that have floated around … [Read more...]
