Since the COVID-19 pandemic started, there have been more unsolved food poisoning outbreaks around the country. In 2020, three multistate E. coli outbreaks that sickened more than 50 people were never solved. This year, there are three mystery E coli outbreaks in Iowa, Kentucky, and Oregon that are unsolved. The Iowa E. coli outbreak in June 2021 sickened several children who live in Maquoketa in Jackson County and has not been solved. The children were hospitalized with hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), which is a type of kidney failure. One little boy had a stroke and was placed in medically induced coma, and was recovering. In Jackson County in Oregon, at least 16 people were sickened with E. coli infections in August. Twelve people were hospitalized because they were so sick. … [Read more...]
Salmonella Thompson Outbreak Linked to Northeast Seafood Fish
A Salmonella Thompson outbreak linked to Northeast Seafood fresh fish has sickened at least 102 people, mostly in Colorado, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Nineteen people are hospitalized. No deaths are reported. The case count by state is: Arizona (1), Colorado (82), Connecticut (1), Iowa (1), Minnesota (2), Missouri (1), Nebraska (2), New Jersey (2), Pennsylvania (1), Texas (2), Virginia (2), Washington (1), Wisconsin (2), and Wyoming (2). Illness onset dates range from May 11, 2021 to September 7, 2021. The fish was sold in Colorado from May 2021 to October 7, 2021, according to the FDA recall notice. The patient age range is from less than one year to 85 years. Of 89 people who gave information to investigators, 19 have been hospitalized, … [Read more...]
Northeast Seafood Salmonella Thompson Outbreak Sickens 102
A Northeast Seafood Salmonella Thompson outbreak has sickened at least 102 people in 14 states according to the FDA. Nineteen people are hospitalized because they are so sick. This outbreak is linked to Northeast Seafood Products fish that the company manufactured or processed. That company is located in Denver, Colorado. The patient case count by state is: Arizona (1), Colorado (82), Connecticut (1), Iowa (1), Minnesota (2), Missouri (1), Nebraska (2), New Jersey (2), Pennsylvania (1), Texas (2), Virginia (2), Washington (1), Wisconsin (2), and Wyoming (2). The last illness onset date was September 7, 2021. We don't know the patient age range yet or the hospitalization rate; that will be in the CDC outbreak notice. According to the CDC, most of the patients either live in … [Read more...]
Cilantro Condiment Cup Tests Positive For Salmonella Oranienburg
A cilantro condiment cup has tested positive for the outbreak strain of Salmonella Oranienburg, according to the latest update on the mystery Salmonella outbreak. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says that the sample was then from a takeout condiment cup containing cilantro, lime, and onions. State and local officials have collected food items from one of the restaurants where sick people ate. But because multiple food items were ini the condiment cup and in the sample that was tested, it is "not possible" to know which food item was contaminated. Public health officials are using this information together with other information to help narrow the list of possible foods that may be linked to these illnesses. But in a dendrogram that was posted on the National … [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...]
Sampling Conducted in Multistate Cake Mix E. coli Outbreak
Sampling and analysis has been conducted in the ongoing multistate cake mix E. coli outbreak, according to an update on the FDA's Core Outbreak Investigation Table. The government has also conducted traceback and has conducted an on-site inspection. Still, there is no word on any possible brand names in this outbreak. Sixteen people in twelve states are ill in this outbreak. Seven people have been hospitalized, and one person has developed hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), which is a type of kidney failure. No recall has been issued. And sadly, the median age in this outbreak is just 13, most likely because kids love to eat uncooked batter and dough. The cake mix that is linked to this outbreak may be a national brand, since illnesses are spread all across the country, from … [Read more...]
Cake Mix E. coli Outbreak Sickens 16 in Twelve States; One HUS Case
A cake mix E. coli outbreak has been announced by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Sixteen people in twelve states are sick. Seven people have been hospitalized. The patient 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). 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. The hospitalization rate is 44%. That is high for an E. coli outbreak, which is usually around 20%. And one person has developed hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a type of kidney failure. The … [Read more...]
Three Iowa Children Hospitalized with HUS After E. coli Infections
Three Iowa children hospitalized with HUS after they contracted E. coli infections have been identified by several different newspapers in that state. The Jackson County Health Department does not know what the source of these illnesses is, and we do not know if the children are all sickened by the same strain of E. coli. TV6 is reporting that viewers are telling the station that there may be more cases throughout Jackson County. It's also worth nothing that there was a boil water notice in the city of Maquoketa, where all three of these children live, in late May. The Sentinel Press reports that 12-year-old Shane Howell's mother noticed that was not acting like himself, so she immediately got him to the doctor. He, along with two other children, is hospitalized at the University … [Read more...]
Possible Iowa E. coli Outbreak Sickens Several Children With HUS
A possible Iowa E coli outbreak has sickened several children, according to the Telegraph Herald. The children, who live in Maquoketa in Jackson County, have developed hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), which is a type of kidney failure, and have been hospitalized at the University of Iowa Stead Family Children's Hospital in Iowa City. The source of the pathogen has not been identified by local health officials. The Jackson County Health Department is trying to determine what have might have caused this outbreak. The type of E. coli bacteria that causes HUS is called Shiga toxin-producing E. coli, or STEC. The pathogen produces Shiga toxins, which attack the intestinal lining, causing bloody diarrhea. The toxin then travels through the bloodstream, where it attacks and kills red … [Read more...]
