The Kentucky E. coli O103 outbreak has now risen to 44 sick, as of April 3, 2019, according to news reports. Six people have been hospitalized in this outbreak, but there is no mention if any have developed hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a type of kidney failure that can cause strokes. And there are 20 pending cases that are not yet lab-confirmed. The only official report to date from Kentucky Department of Health lists the outbreak total as 20, but that was posted on Friday, March 29, 2019. This is the largest E. coli outbreak in Kentucky since 2000. Dr. Mel Bennett, who heads Kentucky's infectious disease efforts, told WEKU that the outbreak has spread to Tennessee, Ohio, and Georgia. We do not know how many people are sickened in each of those states. Officials still think … [Read more...]
Hepatitis A Diagnosed In Employee at Crescent City Tavern in Dalton, GA
An employee at the Crescent City Tavern in downtown Dalton, Georgia has been diagnosed with hepatitis A, according to the Whitfield County Health Department. That employee, a food handler, worked while infectious during the time period of December 28, 2018 through January 31, 2019. That means that anyone who ate food or drank beverages during that time may have been exposed to the pathogenic virus. The vaccine is, however, only effective if given within two weeks of exposure. That means that it's too late for a vaccine for all patrons. But the Whitfield County Health Department, through the Child Health Program, is offering vaccines at no cost, regardless of insurance status. That facility is located at 800 Professional Boulevard in Dalton. It's always a good idea to get the … [Read more...]
Salmonella Outbreak Linked to Recalled Gravel Ridge Farms Eggs in AL, GA, TN
A Salmonella outbreak has been announced in a recall of Gravel Ridge Farms Cage Free Large Eggs by the FDA. The announcement did not state the number of people sickened, where they live, age ranges, or if anyone was hospitalized. The firm was notified by the FDA on September 6, 2018 that their eggs may be contaminated with Salmonella. The recalled product is Gravel Ridge Farms Large Cage Free Eggs, in single dozen and 2.5 dozen flats. The UPC on the product is 7-06970-38444-6, and the use-by dates on the eggs are 7/25/18 though 10/3/18. The eggs were sold between 6/25/2018 and 9/6/6/2018. The eggs were sold mostly in restaurants and retail stores in Alabama, Georgia, and Tennessee. In Atlanta, these stores carried the eggs: Candler Park Market, Grant Park Market, Westview Corner … [Read more...]
Salmonella Outbreak Associated With Plain Nuts Catering Over; No Source Identified, Says Lawyer
The Salmonella outbreak in Georgia that was associated with Plain Nuts Catering & Deli in Newton County has ended, with investigators not able to identify the source of the pathogenic bacteria, according to the Newton County Health Department. Those sickened ate food prepared by that facility at several private events and restaurant meals. A full investigation was conducted, including interviewing patients, analysis of a survey completed by will and well event attendees, and inspection of the catering facility. The survey results pointed to chicken as a statistically implicated source, but samples of chicken and foods containing chicken tested negative. The report points out that it's "often difficult to pinpoint specific foods as the cause of an outbreak." The latest … [Read more...]
Newton County Officials Name Georgia Caterer Associated with Salmonella Outbreak; Lawsuits Possible
The Newton County Health Department in Georgia has released an update on the Salmonella outbreak in that area that has sickened at least 70 people and hospitalized 4. The first outbreak was reportedly among attendees at a closed, invitation-only event that was held on April 28, 2018. The caterer that provided food for that event was Plain Nuts Catering & Deli. All food and drink items along with other possibilities of exposure were investigated. Officials also developed a survey and sent it out to attendees. During the investigation, more cases of illness were reported, which included one case of Salmonella poisoning. those people did not attend that event but did eat food that was prepared by Plain Nuts Catering & Deli. Then on May 15, more illnesses, including a … [Read more...]
Salmonella Outbreak in Newton County, GA Sickens 70, Hospitalizes 4; Some May Sue
A Salmonella outbreak in Newton County, Georgia has sickened at least 70 people and hospitalized four, according to the Gwinett Newton Rockdale County Health Departments. Officials are investigating a confirmed outbreak. The first illness was reported to the county on May 4, 2018. The source of the pathogenic bacteria has not been determined. Investigators are interviewing patients, trying to find commonalities among those who are sick, including what foods they ate in the past week, where they ate them, and other pertinent activities. Many of the patients have been to urgent care or have seen their primary physicians. Four people have been hospitalized because their illness is so severe. In a Salmonella outbreak, patients are usually hospitalized because of dehydration or … [Read more...]
Salmonella Outbreak at Toyo Tire Was the 4th Largest Food Poisoning Outbreak of 2017
The Salmonella outbreak at a Toyo Tire holiday banquet in November 2017 was the fourth largest food poisoning outbreak of 2017. At least 70 people were sickened in that outbreak, according to Logan Boss, Public Information Officer of the Department of Public Health Northwest Health District in Georgia. The outbreak has been tentatively linked to turkeys that were provided to a company banquet by a caterer. The banquet was held on November 14 and 15, 2017. The investigation is still ongoing. That caterer was Angelos' New York Style Pizza and Bistro. That facility closed its doors for training employees and cleaning last month and has re-opened. While the restaurant was closed, at least 25 of the staff were retrained on proper food handling and food service procedures with material … [Read more...]
Toyo Tire Salmonella Outbreak Tentatively Linked to Catered Turkeys
The Salmonella outbreak at Toyo Tire last month has been tentatively linked to turkeys provided by the caterer, Logan Boss, Public Information Officer of the Department of Public Health Northwest Health District told Food Poisoning Bulletin. He said that the investigation was still ongoing. That outbreak, associated with the company event held November 14 and 15, 2017, has sickened more than 70 and hospitalized five people. The caterer, Angelos' New York Style Pizza & Bistro, provided the food to the event. Angelo's closed its doors for cleaning and training last month, and has since re-opened. Inspectors from the Bartow County Environmental Health department inspected the facility and it was re-opened November 27. Another follow-up inspection on November 28 yielded … [Read more...]
Toyo Tire Outbreak Caused by Salmonella Bacteria, Sickens Dozens
Salmonella bacteria caused the Toyo Tire outbreak in White, Georgia before Thanksgiving that sickened dozens of people, Logan Boss, Public Information Officer of the Department of Public Health Northwest Health District told Food Poisoning Bulletin. At least five people were hospitalized in that outbreak because their symptoms were so severe. Public health officials are interviewing Toyo employees who attended the event and plan to finish them today. They also hope to identify the food product that caused the outbreak. That information will be released when available. The restaurant that catered the event, identified in news reports as Angelo's New York Style Pizza and Bistro of Cartersville, has reopened after closing last week. The restaurant was re-inspected last Wednesday by … [Read more...]
Possible Food Poisoning Outbreak at Toyo Tire in White Georgia Related to Catered Event
A possible food poisoning outbreak at Toyo Tire last week in White, Georgia is being investigated by the Georgia Department of Public Health, Northwest Health District, and Bartow County Health Department. Officials think these illnesses are linked to an issue with food, but that has not been confirmed. That facility held a two-day holiday meal event at their location last week. The cause of the outbreak is not known and illnesses are not been confirmed. There are two people who are hospitalized in Bartow in connection with this event, but there is no word on their diagnosis or status. Officials are working with Toyo Human Resources to try to determine how many people may have been sickened. Environmental health specialists at the Bartow County Health Department are investigating … [Read more...]
