Cilantro may be the source in the mystery multistate Salmonella Oranienburg outbreak, according to a dendrogram on the National Center for Biotechnology Information site, part of the National Institutes of Health. According to that information, cilantro has tested positive for Salmonella Oranienburg, the bacteria that has caused this outbreak. Cilantro has been linked to many food poisoning outbreaks in the past. It is a herb that is commonly used in Tex-Mex cooking. And 43% of the cases in this outbreak are in Texas and Oklahoma. In 2015, cilantro was linked to a huge cyclospora outbreak that sickened at least 218 people in Texas and Wisconsin. And in 2014, another cyclospora outbreak was linked to fresh cilantro. The same thing happened in 2013. Going further back, in 2008, … [Read more...]
Mystery Salmonella Outbreak Expands to 279 Sick and 26 Hospitalized
The mystery Salmonella outbreak has suddenly expanded to 279 sick and 26 hospitalized in 29 states, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). That's an increase of 152 new patients and eight new hospitalizations in just the last four days, with four more states added to the total. The pathogen is Salmonella Oranienburg. The government still does not know what food has caused this massive outbreak. And since Salmonella illnesses are very underreported, with a multiplier used by epidemiologists of 29, there could be more than 8,000 people sick in just this particular outbreak. The patient case count by state is: Arkansas (7), California (5), Connecticut (5), Florida (2), Illinois (28), Indiana (1), Iowa (1), Kansas (6), Maryland (9), Massachusetts (10), … [Read more...]
Salmonella Oranienburg Outbreak Sickens 127, Hospitalizes 18
A Salmonella Oranienburg outbreak with an unknown food source that has sickened 127 people in 25 states has been announced by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). While a specific food has not been identified, this outbreak is growing rapidly, according to the government. The outbreak was first announced on FDA's CORE Outbreak Investigation Table on September 15, 2021. The case count by state is: Arkansas (2), California (3), Connecticut (3), Illinois (5), Iowa (1), Kansas (5), Maryland (4), Massachusetts (7), Michigan (2), Minnesota (13), Missouri (2), Nebraska (2), New Jersey (2), New Mexico (3), New York (1), North Carolina (1), North Dakota (1), Oklahoma (7), Pennsylvania (2), South Carolina (1), South Dakota (1), Texas (45), Utah (1), Virginia (9), and … [Read more...]
Cake Mix E. coli Outbreak Ends With 16 Sick in 12 States
The cake mix E. coli outbreak has ended as of September 16, 2021, with 16 people sick in 12 states, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). A common brand of cake mix that made people sick was not identified. And no illnesses have been reported for seven weeks. The case count by state is: Illinois (2), Indiana (1), Iowa (2), Massachusetts (1), Michigan (1), Nebraska (2), Ohio (2), Oregon (1), South Carolina (1), Utah (1), Virginia (1), and Washington (1). Seven people were hospitalized. The patient age range is from 2 t0 73 years, with a median age of 13. The age range for outbreaks linked to baking ingredients usually skews young; 75% of children in this outbreak are under the age of 18. One person developed hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a type of … [Read more...]
La Mex Salmonella Outbreak in Morris, Illinois Sickens Eight
A La Mex Salmonella outbreak in Morris, Illinois has sickened at least eight people, according to a press release by the Grundy County Health Department. That restaurant is located at 115 East Jackson Street. The restaurant has closed voluntarily and is cooperating with the health department investigation. This outbreak may be part of a multistate Salmonella outbreak, according to the press release. Officials from the FDA, CDC, and local health partners are investigating this outbreak. Officials say that the patients ate at that restaurant between August 31, 2021 and September 7, 2021. If you dined there during that time frame and have been ill with the symptoms of Salmonella food poisoning, see your doctor. The health department said that the outbreak doesn't appear to be … [Read more...]
El Sombrero Salmonella Outbreak Updated by McHenry County DOH
The El Sombrero Salmonella outbreak investigation has been updated by the McHenry County Department of Health (MCDH). That county has still not named the number of people sickened in the outbreak or released any information about the patient age range, illness onset dates, or if anyone has been hospitalized. The restaurant is located in Fox River Grove, Illinois. Officials want to remind anyone who ate at that restaurant recently that if they are in sensitive occupations, they should exclude themselves from work and school and seek medical evaluations if they are experiencing any symptoms of gastrointestinal illness. Sensitive occupations include food handlers, daycare workers, and healthcare workers. If you are in a sensitive occupation and develop symptoms of Salmonella food … [Read more...]
El Sombrero Salmonella Outbreak in Fox River Grove, Illinois
An El Sombrero Salmonella outbreak in Fox River Grove, Illinois has sickened an unnamed number of people, according to the McHenry County Department of Health. The restaurant is located at 314 Lincoln Avenue in that city. The business has voluntarily closed and is cooperating with public health officials during the investigation. The county is asking that anyone who ate there from August 23, 2021 to September 3, 2021 complete a survey to assist the county in collecting data to conduct a comprehensive investigation of this outbreak. The survey is a secure and is HIPAA compliant, and no personal or medical information will be released. The survey includes questions about symptoms, illness onset, doctor's visits, and foods that were eaten at the restaurant. Even if you ate there and … [Read more...]
Two Salami Prosciutto Salmonella Outbreaks Sicken 36 in 17 States
Two salami prosciutto Salmonella outbreaks have sickened at least 36 people in 17 states, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). These new outbreaks were just announced a few hours ago. These Italian-style meats are eaten unheated and are often served in antipasto or charcuterie assortments. Twelve people have been hospitalized. No recall has been issued. The overall case count by state is: Arizona (5), California (7), Colorado (1), Illinois (4), Indiana (1), Maryland (1), Michigan (2), Minnesota (2), Nevada (1), New York (1), Ohio (3), Oregon (1), Texas (2), Utah (1), Virginia (1), Washington (2), and Wisconsin (1). Of this total, 23 people are part of a Salmonella Typhimurium outbreak and 13 people are part of a Salmonella Infantis outbreak. In the … [Read more...]
Frozen Stuffed Breaded Chicken Salmonella Outbreak Sickens 28
The frozen stuffed breaded chicken Salmonella outbreak has now sickened at least 28 people in eight states. That's an increase of 11 new patients and two new states since the last update on June 2, 2021. And since that last update, a recall of Serenade Foods frozen stuffed breaded raw chicken products has been issued. The recall covers four brands and varieties: Dutch Farms Chicken with Broccoli and Cheese, Milford Valley Chicken with Broccoli & Cheese, Milford Valley Chicken Cordon Bleu, Kirkwood Raw Stuffed Chicken, Broccoli & Cheese, and Kirkwood Raw Stuffed Chicken Cordon Bleu. The patient case count by state is: Arizona (1), Connecticut (1), Illinois (9), Indiana (4), Michigan (1), Minnesota (4), Nevada (1), and New York (7). The new states are Connecticut and … [Read more...]
Possible E. coli Outbreak at Portillo’s Restaurant in Glendale Heights, Illinois
A possible E. coli outbreak at Portillo's restaurant in Glendale Heights, Illinois may have sickened four people, according to news reports. There is no information about this potential outbreak on the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) website. Portillo's management has stated that they are cooperating with the investigation. The Chicago Tribune reports that IDPH stated in a health alert, "Four cases of a toxin producing the bacteria and one case of a resultant blood syndrome stemmed from customers eating at [the restaurant]." That most likely means that four people have E. coli infections and one person has developed hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), which is a type of kidney failure. The patients allegedly ate at the restaurant, which is located at 235 East North … [Read more...]