The FDA has weighed in on the deadly HMC Farms stone fruit Listeria monocytogenes outbreak. In that outbreak, 11 people in seven states have been sickened. One person who lived in California has died. Another patient experience premature labor. The fruits, under the labels HMC Farms and Signature Farms, have been recalled. The FDA notice also states that the recalled fruit was sold to other manufacturers who may have frozen or relabeled the recalled fruit to sell under another brand. The FDA advisories will be updated as more information is uncovered. The recalled fresh fruit is no longer available for sale in retail stores, but public health officials are worried that consumers have frozen this fruit for later use. Listeria monocytogenes bacteria easily survive the freezing … [Read more...]
FDA Weighs In On Malichita Cantaloupe Salmonella Outbreak
The FDA is weighing in on the Malichita cantaloupe Salmonella outbreak that has sickened at least 43 people in 15 states. The cantaloupes themselves have been recalled, along with Vinyard brand precut cantaloupe products and ALDI whole cantaloupe and pre-cut fruit products. The case count by state is: Arizona (7), California (1), Georgia (2), Illinois (4), Kentucky (3), Maryland (1), Minnesota (5), Missouri (5), Nebraska (4), Ohio (1), Oklahoma (1), Texas (3), Virginia (1), Washington (1), and Wisconsin (4). The patient age range is from 1 to 100 years. Illness onset dates range from October 17, 2023 to November 6, 2023. Seventeen people have been hospitalized because they are so ill. This outbreak may continue to grow. The recalled whole cantaloupes may have a sticker that says … [Read more...]
HMC Farms Peaches Listeria Outbreak Sickens 11; 1 Death
The HMC Farms peaches Listeria monocytogenes outbreak has sickened at least 11 people in seven states. One person has sadly died, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The peaches were also sold under the brand name Signature Farms. The case count by state is: California (3), Colorado (1), Florida (3), Illinois (1), Kansas (1), Michigan (1), and Ohio (1). The patient age range is from 30 to 80 years. Illness onset dates range from August 22, 2018 to August 16, 2023. Of ten people who gave information to investigators, all have been hospitalized. One death was reported from California. One person suffered preterm labor. There are most likely many more people sickened in this outbreak. Many do not go to a doctor. And this outbreak could still grow, … [Read more...]
Huntley High School E. coli Illnesses Linked to Multistate Outbreak
The CDC has confirmed that the Huntley High E. coli illnesses last month are linked to a multistate outbreak. Katia Martinez, Health Communication Specialist for the Division of Foodborne, Waterborne, and Environmental Diseases (DFWED) and National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Disease (NCEZID) of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention told Food Poisoning Bulletin that as of October 25, 2023, there are 22 people in 10 states that are sick with E. coli infections and that the Huntley outbreak is linked to those illnesses. Three people in this outbreak have developed hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), which is a type of kidney failure. Officials have not identified the source of the outbreak, and the CDC is working with state health partners to interview patients. … [Read more...]
Gills Diced Onion Salmonella Outbreak Sickens 73 in 22 States
A Gills diced onion Salmonella outbreak has sickened at least 73 people in 22 states, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Fifteen of those patients have been hospitalized because they are so sick. The case count by state is: Arizona (1), California (17), Colorado (1), Georgia (1), Iowa (1), Idaho (1), Illinois (4), Indiana (2), Kentucky (1), Massachusetts (1), Michigan (6), Montana (2), North Dakota (2), New York (1), Ohio (3), Oregon (3), Tennessee (1), Texas (1), Utah (17), Virginia (3), Wisconsin (3), and Wyoming (1). Illness onset dates range from August 2, 2023 to September 25, 2023. The patient age range is from less than 1 to 90 years old. Of the 65 people who gave information to public health investigators, 15, or 23%, have been … [Read more...]
Huntley High School E. coli Outbreak Sickens Nine Students in IL
The Huntley High School E. coli outbreak has now sickened nine students in Illinois, according to news reports. That is an increase of three more patients since the outbreak was announced on September 17, 2023. That high school is located at 13719 Harmony Road in Huntley. The outbreak has not been solved. Officials are looking at responses to a survey sent out to students and their families, asking about exposures before the outbreak began. The McHenry County Health Department issued a press release about the outbreak on September 21, 2023. The confirmed outbreak is caused by Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) bacteria, which can cause serious illness. One of the complications of this infection is hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) that is a type of kidney failure. There are no … [Read more...]
Huntley High School E. coli Outbreak Sickens Six Students in Illinois
A confirmed Huntley High School E. coli outbreak has sickened at least six students in that school in Illinois, according to the McHenry County Department of Health. The Huntley Community School District 158 is working with the health department to respond to the Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) outbreak. That school is located at 13719 Harmony Road in Huntley. The first illness was identified on Sunday, September 17, 2023. At this time, officials do not know the source of the illnesses. The county is actively monitoring for potential cases, since E. coli is a reportable condition, and there are no other known cases in McHenry County outside of the school outbreak. School officials sent a letter to parents, students, and staff, telling them that they are taking the situation … [Read more...]
Now 30 Sick in Carnicerias Guanajuato Salmonella Outbreak
There are now 30 sick in Carniceria Guanajuato Salmonella outbreak in Chicago, according to the Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH) and news reports. That is an increase of 10 more patients since the first notice of the outbreak was issued on September 15, 2023. The grocery store, which also houses a taqueria, is located at 3140 North California Avenue in Avondale in Chicago. At that time, the CDPH said that 10 people were hospitalized. We do not know if any of the 10 new patients have been hospitalized. And CDPH said that there are probably more who are sick. In fact, public health officials use a multiplier for Salmonella outbreaks of 30.2, which means that there are usually 30 times more patients in a typical outbreak than are reported to public health departments. That … [Read more...]
Carniceria Guanajuato Salmonella Outbreak in Chicago Sickens 20
A Carniceria Guanajuato Salmonella outbreak in Chicago has sickened at least 20 people and 10 of those patients are hospitalized, according to the Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH). That grocery store, which houses a taqueria, is located at 3140 North California in Chicago, Illinois. Those sickened at prepared food at either the taqueria or the prepared foods section of the grocery store. Carniceria Guanajuato voluntarily closed on September 8, 2023 and is cooperating with CDPH to find the source of the illnesses. Public health officials performed an environmental assessment of the grocery store and provided guidance to employees on safe food handling practices and environmental cleaning to prevent more illnesses. There is no word on any suspect food, the ages of the … [Read more...]
Ground Beef Salmonella Outbreak Sickens 26 in Illinois
A ground beef Salmonella outbreak has sickened at least 26 people in Illinois, according to the Illinois Department of Public health (IDPH). That agency is working with local health departments, the CDC, and the USDA to investigate this outbreak. A source of the ground beef has not been identified. As always, use care when handling raw meat and treat it as if it was contaminated. Ground beef can often be contaminated with pathogens such as Salmonella and E. coli. The cut the ground beef is made from can have pathogens on the surface, and those pathogens are mixed throughout the meat when it is ground. Avoid cross-contamination, wash your hands and utensils after working with ground beef, and always cook it to 160°F and measure that temperature with a food thermometer. And … [Read more...]
