The E. coli O103 outbreak originally announced in Kentucky yesterday apparently also has sickened people living in Tennessee, Ohio, and Indiana, according to news reports. Twenty confirmed cases are in Kentucky, and one each in the other states for a total of 23 ill. Most of the illnesses occurred between March 5 and 25, 2019. The cases in Kentucky are spread among several counties throughout the state. Fayette county, in the northeastern part of the state, has the most cases with five. But officials say there isn't enough commonality between those five cases to establish a source of the pathogen. No source, whether food or venue, has been named in this outbreak, but officials in Kentucky have stated that "extensive exposure to fast food" may be linked to these illnesses. Fast … [Read more...]
Hepatitis A Exposure At Kentucky Ave. Burger King in Indianapolis
A worker at the Burger King at 3311 South Kentucky Avenue, near Mann Road in Indianapolis has been diagnosed with hepatitis A. Anyone who ate at that facility from January 21 through January 24, 2019 may have been exposed to the pathogenic virus. The Marion Countuy Public Health Department is hating a special clinic on Monday, February 4, 2019, from 11:00 am to 7:00 pm at its South District Health Office at 7551 South Shelby Street. Anyone who visited that restaurant on the above dates can get a vaccination. People who ate there on January 21 have until today to get a shot, since the vaccine is only effective if given within two weeks of exposure. You can also get the shot at doctor's offices. The Burger King restaurant management is cooperating with public health officials and … [Read more...]
Top 10 Food Poisoning Outbreaks of 2018: Salmonella in Melons
It's time for the Top 10 Food Poisoning Outbreaks of 2018! Number 10 is the Salmonella Adelaide outbreak that was linked to pre-cut melons. It was very easy to choose this list this year, since there were so many outbreaks. Those that didn't make the list included the current romaine E. coli O157:H7 outbreak and the two Salmonella outbreaks that were linked to shell eggs. In this outbreak, at least 77 people in nine states were sickened. Thirty-six people were hospitalized, which is a very high percentage for a Salmonella outbreak. All of the epidemiologic and traceback evidenced found that pre-cut melons supplied by Caito Foods was the likely source of this outbreak. Most of those sickened said they ate pre-cut cantaloupe, watermelon, or a fruit salad mix made with melon from … [Read more...]
Salmonella Adelaide Precut Melon Outbreak Ends with 77 Sick
The Salmonella Adelaide precut melon outbreak has ended, according to the CDC, with 77 people sick in nine states. Attorneys at the Pritzker Hageman law firm have filed lawsuits in this outbreak on behalf of ill clients. Thirty-six people have been hospitalized in this outbreak, which is a very high percentage. The case count by state is: Arkansas (1), Florida (1), Illinois (7), Indiana (14), Kentucky (1), Michigan (39), Missouri (11), Ohio (2), and Tennessee (1). llness onset dates ranged from April 30, 2018, to July 2, 2018. The patient age range was from less than 1 year to 97. Fifty-one percent of patents who were interviewed were hospitalized in this Salmonella Adelaide precut melon outbreak. The typical hospitalization rate for a Salmonella outbreak is about 22%. The FDA, … [Read more...]
Salmonella Adelaide Outbreak Linked to Precut Melon From Kroger and Walmart; Some May Sue
A Salmonella Adelaide outbreak that is linked to precut melon sold at Walmart in some midwestern stats has sickened at least 60 people. The CDC has not released a formal statement, but has said that 31 of those 60 people are hospitalized. The patients in this Salmonella Adelaide outbreak live in five states. The case count by state is: Michigan (32), Illinois (6), Indiana (11), Missouri (10), and Ohio (1). Illness onset dates range from April 30, 2018 to May 18, 2018. The patient age range is from 1 to 97 years old. The press releases state "No deaths have been confirmed to date." Officials in Michigan and Illinois have issued press releases about this outbreak. The CDC says that pre-cut melons, including fruit salads, are the likely source of this outbreak. IDPH Director Dr. … [Read more...]
Legionnaires Disease Case at IU Health Ball Memorial Hospital
A patient was sickened with Legionnaires' Disease at the IU Health Ball Memorial Hospital in Muncie, Indiana last week. The illness was transmitted through the water in the hospital. The IU Health Ball Memorial Hospital Chief Operating Officer and Chief Medical Officer said that the results were positive for the illness. The patient is very ill, but the hospital would not comment further on his or her current condition. Water samples have been sent for testing, and the hospital has hired an expert to help control the risk of further infections. The hospital has stopped all water usage in bathrooms and common areas and is using bottled water while testing is underway. Surgeries can continue and the kitchen hospital is open, since water used in those areas is heated to 140°F, which … [Read more...]
Indiana E. coli Outbreak Grows to 4 Confirmed Cases
The Indiana Department of Health says there are four confirmed cases of E. coli and three probable cases in that state. Officials do not know the source of this outbreak, but are investigating. Those sickened live in Fulton, Marshall, and Wabash Counties. No new cases of possible E. coli have been reported to the agency since the start of August. E. coli is an infectious disease that is spread through contact with feces. It is critical that this infection is accurately diagnosed, since treatment with antibiotics can increase the risk of serious complications, such as hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). The department is working with families of patients to make sure the illness does not spread with person-to-person contact. E. coli bacteria are found in the guts of ruminant animals … [Read more...]
E. coli O157 Outbreak at Fulton County Indiana Daycare
The Fulton County Health Department has issued a statement about an E. coli O157 outbreak among children in a local daycare. All confirmed cases being investigated are associated with the same daycare facility. At least two children are hospitalized as a result of their illnesses. Children who attend school or daycare who are sick with a diarrheal illness should stay home until they are completely well. If a child has an E. coli infection, they must have two negative stool tests and be symptom-free before returning to daycare of school. In addition, adults with E. coli O157 infections who work in health care settings or food service should stay home and not go to work when they are ill. E. coli O157 is a contagious illness that causes severe watery and/or bloody diarrhea. Symptoms … [Read more...]
E. coli Outbreak at Indiana Daycare
An E. coli outbreak at an Indiana daycare has sickened several children, according to WDNU-TV. The Fulton and Wabash County Health Departments and Indiana State Department of Health are working together to investigate the outbreak which may include a fatality. In June, an E. coli outbreak at the Learning Vine daycare center in South Carolina sickened 14 children, one of whom died. E.coli attorney Eric Hageman is filing a wrongful death lawsuit on behalf of the family whose 2-year old boy died. About 10 percent of children who contract E. coli infections develop a severe complication called hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) which leads to kidney failure. HUS can also cause seizure, stroke, coma and death. … [Read more...]
Les Freres Cheese Listeria Inspection Involves Two Agencies
The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture has joined the Food and Drug Adminstration in an inspection of Crave Brothers Farmstead Cheese Company in Waterloo, Wisconsin. The dual-agency review of Crave Brothers' facilities is part of a "fast-breaking investigation'' of a multi-state outbreak of Listeria monocytogenes that has resulted in one miscarriage and the death of an older adult from Minnesota. The linkage between the health threat and Crave Brothers soft cheese was drawn to a point by preliminary pathogen testing of cheese samples taken from separate retail locations by the Minnesota Department of Agriculture. Crave Brothers Les Frères cheese and Petit Frère with Truffles were the two cheeses where Listeria was found. Listeriosis, a life-threatening foodborne disease, is especially … [Read more...]
