The multistate E. coli O157:H7 HUS outbreak linked to romaine lettuce has now grown to include 84 sick in 19 states. Thirty-one more people from 10 states have been added since the last update a week ago. Three more states have reported ill persons: Colorado, Georgia, and South Dakota. The most recent illness started on April 12, 2018. This outbreak will likely grow, since it takes a few weeks from the time a person begins feeling sick, to when the infection is diagnosed and reported to government officials. The information still indicates that romaine lettuce from the Yuma, Arizona growing region is the source of this outbreak. But investigators still have not identified a common grower, supplier, distributor, or brand of romaine. Of the eighty-four people sick, 42 people … [Read more...]
Idaho Hard Hit in E. coli O157:H7 HUS Outbreak Linked to Chopped Romaine Lettuce
Idaho has been hard hit in the multistate E. coli O157:H7 HUS outbreak that the CDC has linked to chopped romaine lettuce from the Yuma, Arizona area. Eight people in that state are ill with this serious infection. Three of those patients have been hospitalized; two have developed a type of kidney failure that sometimes occurs with this infection called hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). All of the patients told investigators that they ate romaine lettuce in the 10 days before they got sick. All of the patients are adults between the ages of 20 and 55. No deaths have been reported in this outbreak. While government officials believe that the lettuce came from the Yuma, Arizona growing region, no specific grower, supplier, distributor, or brand has been identified. And no … [Read more...]
Lawyers Investigating Multistate E. coli O157:H7 Infections Linked to Chopped Romaine
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention just announced that the E. coli O157:H7 outbreak they have been investigating is now linked to chopped romaine lettuce from the Yuma, Arizona region. As of April 12, 2018, 35 people in 11 states are sick with the outbreak strain. Twenty-two of those patients have been hospitalized; three patients have developed hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a type of kidney failure. No common growers, supplier, distributor, or brand has been identified so far, but government officials recommended that anyone, anywhere in the country, who has purchased chopped romaine lettuce, including salads and salad mixes containing that green, should throw it away. If you aren't sure where the lettuce came from, get rid of it. Discard it even if some of it has … [Read more...]
CDC Investigating Multistate Outbreak of E. coli O157:H7 Infections
A multistate outbreak of E. coli O157:H7 infections is being investigated by the CDC, several states, the FDA, and the USDA. This is a continuation of the outbreak that started in New Jersey and was reported on by the New Jersey Department of Health. Earlier this week, the NJDOH reported that seven people were sick with E. coli infections in an outbreak that may be associated with a restaurant chain. Now, at least 17 people in 7 states are sick. Six people have been hospitalized. No deaths have been reported. Investigators are using the PulseNet system to find people who may be part of this particular outbreak. DNA fingerprinting has been performed on isolates taken from ill persons using pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) and whole genome sequencing (WGS). Lab testing is … [Read more...]
CDC Confirms E. coli Outbreak in CO, ID, and NY
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has confirmed to Food Poisoning Bulletin that the E. coli outbreak in Washington state that is associated with the Matador restaurant also includes patients in three other states. No additional cases have been identified as of Friday, September 16, 2016. Seven people in Washington state are also infected with the same E. coli strain. Lola S. Russell, Senior Health Communications Specialist for the CDC stated, "CDC is assisting the Washington State Department of Health with an investigation related to an E. coli outbreak potentially linked to a Seattle restaurant. Three cases of E. coli with the same DNA fingerprint in three other states (Colorado, Idaho, and New York) are under investigation to determine if they are linked to the … [Read more...]
Boise Co-op Violates Safety Regulations after Salmonella Outbreak
The Central District Health Department in Boise, Idaho has found three critical violations at the Boise Co-op, which was the site of a large Salmonella outbreak earlier this summer. The inspection was conducted on July 24, 2015. The violations were corrected while the inspector was still at the facility. The violations included meat in the deli's walk-in coolers that are undated or past their expiration date. Temperatures that were too warm were discovered in the deli salad bar. Several salads, including chopped chicken, caprese salad, and pasta with chicken were held at incorrect temperatures. And in the produce department, employees were using a multi-surface cleaner that was not approved for use on food contact surfaces. Ben Kuzma, Boise Co-op general manager said that the violations … [Read more...]
Turkey, Tomatoes, Onions Suspect in Boise Co-op Salmonella Outbreak
Turkey, tomatoes, and onions from the deli at the Boise Co-op in Idaho have tested positive for Salmonella, according to several news reports. The Boise Co-op Facebook page states that lab results confirmed Salmonella was found in several foods from the deli. A notice on the Central District Health Department page states that anyone who thinks they have had Salmonella symptoms following the consumption of food purchased at the Boise Co-op deli after June 1, 2015 and has not sought medical attention should call the CDHD. Please provide contact information in your message. The tests of those who have seen a doctor and tested positive for the bacteria will automatically be forwarded to CDHD. A hotline has been set up to field calls and questions at 208-321-2222. Public health officials … [Read more...]
Boise Co-op Salmonella Outbreak Sickens 60 People
According to news reports, the Salmonella outbreak that is associated with the Boise Co-op has increased to 60 people, from 30 reported on Friday, June 12, 2015. The last update by the Central District Health Department was on Saturday, June 13, 2015. There is a notice on the CDHD web site stating that "Due to the large volume of calls and messages we are receiving in response to a Salmonella outbreak under investigation, we are unable to respond to each phone or online report." At the same time, officials are asking people to report possible food poisoning to the CDHD through an online form. Officials have also set up an information number (208) 321-2264, not for reporting illnesses, but for questions about the illness. KBOI is reporting that the Salmonella outbreak rapidly … [Read more...]
Boise Co-op Associated with Salmonella Outbreak in Idaho
According to the Idaho Central District Health Department, nearly 30 people have been sickened with Salmonella illnesses. There is a "possible link" to the Boise Co-op. But, other cases not associated with that facility have been reported. CDHD is working with the Boise Co-op to find the source of the pathogenic bacteria. Several food samples have been sent to the state public health lab for testing; results are pending. Lab tests have not yet confirmed whether all of those sickened have the same strain of Salmonella. If you have been sick with the symptoms of Salmonella and have visited the Boise Co-op, see your doctor. Those symptoms include diarrhea, fever, abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting. The symptoms usually begin 12 to 72 hours after exposure. Foods that may carry this … [Read more...]
