The mystery deadly Listeria monocytogenes outbreak that sickened 24 people in 13 states and caused two deaths has been declared over by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention with no resolution. The outbreak notice states, "A specific food item, grocery store, food processor, or restaurant chain was not identified as the source of infections in the United States." People who were sickened in this outbreak were sickened by a strain of Listeria bacteria that was closely related genetically to Listeria that made people sick in a Canadian outbreak. That Canadian outbreak was linked to recalled Rosemount frozen cooked chicken. The Listeria outbreak in Canada was deemed over on November 6, 2019. The case count by state is: California (4), Florida (1), Iowa (1), Illinois (4), … [Read more...]
Deadly Salmonella Dublin Outbreak Linked to Ground Beef Sickens 10
A deadly Salmonella Dublin outbreak linked to ground beef has been reported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). At least 10 people in six states are sick. The announcement states, "Illnesses in this outbreak are more severe than expected for Salmonella. A total of 8 ill people were hospitalized, including one death reported from California." The case count by state is: California (2), Colorado (3), Iowa (1), Kansas (2), Oklahoma (1), and Texas (1). Illness onset dates range from August 8, 2019 to September 22, 2019. The patient age range is from 48 to 74 years. Eighty percent of patients are male. This hospitalization rate is more than four times higher than the typical 20% hospitalization rate for Salmonella outbreaks. In five of the patients, Salmonella was … [Read more...]
Cyclospora Basil Outbreak Ends With 24 Sick in 11 States
The basil cyclospora outbreak has ended, according to the FDA, with 241 sick in 11 states. Exposures occurred in five states: Minnesota, Florida, New York, Ohio, and Wisconsin. Six people were hospitalized because they were so sick. A recall was issued for basil imported from Mexico. The basil was exported to the U.S. by Siga Logistics de RL de CV, which is located in Morelos, Mexico. The basil imported by that company was recalled on July 24, 2019. The firm has been cooperative with the investigation, and stopped production and distribution when the outbreak was discovered. Patients live in these states: Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New York, Ohio, Rhode Island, South Carolina, and Wisconsin. There is no information on the number of cases in … [Read more...]
Pig Ear Salmonella Outbreak Has Sickened 143 People in 35 States
The pig ear Salmonella outbreak has now sickened at least 143 people in 35 states, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Thirty-three people have been hospitalized because they are so sick. People can get sick after handling the treats or caring for or touching the dogs who ate them. Dogs can get sick too. Sixteen ill persons have been added to this investigation after the last update on July 31, 2019. The case count by state is: Alabama (1), Arizona (1), California (1), Colorado (3), Connecticut (1), Florida (3), Georgia (3), Hawaii (1), Illinois (10), Indiana (5), Iowa (23), Kansas (3), Kentucky (6), Louisiana (1), Maine (1), Maryland (1), Massachusetts (4), Michigan (14), Minnesota (1), Missouri (7), New Hampshire (1), New Jersey (3), New Mexico (1), … [Read more...]
Listeria Monocytogenes Outbreak Announced; No Food Identified
A Listeria monocytogenes outbreak has been announced by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Twenty-four people in 13 states are sick. Twenty-two people have been hospitalized, and two people have died. The patient case count by state is: California (4), Florida (1), Iowa (1), Illinois (4), Indiana (1), Kansas (1), Kentucky (1), Michigan (1), Missouri (3), New York (2), Ohio (2), Oregon (2), and Texas (1). Listeria specimens were collected from patients from July 20, 2017 to August 1, 2019. The patient age range is from 35 to 92 years. This is a strange outbreak announcement, because the notice states that "A specific food item, grocery store, or restaurant chain has not been identified as the source of infections in the United States." This is very unusual. In … [Read more...]
CDC Updates Pig Ear Dog Treat Salmonella Outbreak; 127 Sick
The multistate pig ear dog treat Salmonella outbreak has now sickened at least 127 people in 33 states, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Twenty-six people have been hospitalized because they are so sick. No deaths have been reported to date. Since the last update on July 17, 2019, 34 more ill persons have been added to the outbreak total. Twenty-four of these patients are children under the age of 5. The CDC and FDA are now telling people not to buy or feed any pig ear dog treats to pets, including any that you may already have in your home. People can get sick after touching the treats, or after caring for or touching dogs who ate the snack. The case count by state is: Alabama (1), Arizona (1), California (1), Colorado (3), Connecticut (1), … [Read more...]
Pig Ear Dog Treat Salmonella Outbreak Sickens 93; Multiple Strains Found
The pig ear dog treat Salmonella outbreak has now sickened at least 93 people in 27 states. Twenty people have been hospitalized because they are so sick. The patient case count by state is: Alabama (1), Arizona (1), California (1), Colorado (2), Florida (2), Georgia (1), Hawaii (1), Illinois (6), Indiana (4), Iowa (18), Kansas (3), Kentucky (4), Louisiana (1), Massachusetts (4), Michigan (9), Minnesota (1), Missouri (5), New York (11), North Carolina (1), North Dakota (1), Ohio (5), Oregon (2), Pennsylvania (3), South Carolina (1), Utah (1), Washington (1), and Wisconsin (3). The patient age range is from less than 1 year to 90. Of 67 people who provided information to investigators, 20, or 30%, has been hospitalized. That is 50% higher than the typical percentage in Salmonella … [Read more...]
Salmonella Outbreak Linked to Pig Ear Dog Treats Sickens 45
A Salmonella enterica serotype I 4,[5],12:i:- linked to pig ear dog treats has sickened at least 45 people in 13 states, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Twelve people have been hospitalized because they are so sick. The case count by state is: California (1), Illinois (3), Indiana (3), Iowa (12), Kansas (3), Massachusetts (2), Michigan (7), Missouri (3), New York (6), North Dakota (1), Pennsylvania (2), South Carolina (1), and Wisconsin (1). Illness onset dates range from November 18, 2018 to June 13, 2019. The patient age range is from less than 1 year to 81 years. Of the 39 people who provided information, 12, or 31%, have been hospitalized. Epidemiologic evidence indicates that contact with pig ear dog treats is the likely source of this … [Read more...]
FDA Updates Caito Foods Salmonella Carrau Melon Outbreak
The FDA has updated the Caito Foods Salmonella Carrau melon outbreak. The latest numbers are 137 people sick in 10 states. Thirty-eight people, or 28%, have been hospitalized because they are so ill, which is a high number for a typical Salmonella outbreak. Usually only 20% of patients are hospitalized when they are sickened with this pathogen. Caito Foods recalled many different types of cut melon products, including Melon Mix, Honeydew Chunks, Cantaloupe Spears, Fruit Burst, Fruit Snack Tray, Watermelon Spear, and Seasonal Fruit Salad among others, on April 12, 2019. Some of these products were sold at Kroger, Spartan Nash, Target, Walmart, and Amazon/Whole Foods locations. It is not likely that any of these products are still in consumer's homes, because the shelf life of … [Read more...]
Final Update on Raw Turkey Salmonella Reading Outbreak
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued the final update of the raw turkey Salmonella Reading outbreak. At least 358 people in 42 states have been sickened. More than 130 people were hospitalized in this outbreak, and one death was reported. The government says that the outbreak strain of Salmonella Reading is present in live turkeys and in many types of raw turkey products. The number of reported new illnesses is decreasing, but people could continue to get sick. The last reported illness was on March 31, 2019. The case count by state is: Alabama (4), Alaska (2), Arizona (5), Arkansas (2), California (30), Colorado (7), Connecticut (5), Delaware (1), District of Columbia (5), Florida (13), Georgia (2), Hawaii (4), Idaho (4), Iowa (50), Illinois (25), … [Read more...]
