The deadly Salmonella outbreak linked to imported Maradol papayas has sickened 173 people in 21 states, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Two more states have reported patients: Missouri and Tennessee. There are now four different types of Salmonella: KIambu, Thompson, Agona, and Gaminara. The same strain of these types were found in samples collected from ill persons and from papayas. The case count by state is: Connecticut (6), Delaware (4), Iowa (2), Illinois (3), Kentucky (4), Louisiana (1), Maryland (8), Massachusetts (8), Michigan (1), Minnesota (4), Missouri (1), North Carolina (5), New Jersey (36), New York (50), Ohio (1), Oklahoma (4), Pennsylvania (8), Tennessee (1), Texas (9), Virginia (16), Wisconsin (1). Fifty-eight patients have been … [Read more...]
Deadly Papaya Salmonella Outbreak: How is the Fruit Contaminated?
The ongoing deadly Salmonella outbreak linked to imported Maradol papayas has sickened at least 141 people in 19 states. Since Salmonella is such an underreported illness, with a multiplier of 38, that means that there could be more than 5,000 people sick in this particular outbreak in the United States. But how does Salmonella get on papayas? That is not a food typically associated with foodborne illness outbreaks. Salmonella is ubiquitous in the environment. It is present in the soil, in the feces of animals and birds, and some people carry it. Any food can be contaminated with Salmonella, but produce is quite susceptible to it because it is a natural product. There have been quite a few outbreaks in the past few years caused by produce contaminated with Salmonella, E. coli, … [Read more...]
Mystery of Two MN Children with E. coli Infections Unsolved
The Minnesota Department of Health has ended its investigation into two E. coli illnesses in Wright County. Two young children, siblings, were sickened with the deadly pathogen. One of the little ones died, and the other is recovering at home. Both children developed hemolytic uremic syndrome, a type of kidney failure, after they acquired the infections. The strain of bacteria that caused the illnesses is Shiga toxin-producing E. coli, or STEC, also known as STEC O145. Another undetermined type of STEC was also found in isolates. Investigators looked at all known potential sources of E. coli bacteria as they tried to figure out where the bacteria came from. Those sources included foods such as ground beef, leafy greens, and raw milk, along with swimming, person-to-person … [Read more...]
Brucella Outbreak in Texas From Raw Milk
A Texas resident has been diagnosed with brucellosis and has been hospitalized after consuming raw milk from K-Bar Dairy in Paradise, Texas in Wise County. An investigation by Texas Department of State Health Services has determined that milk from that facility is "the most probable source of the infection." K-Bar Dairy is a licensed raw milk dairy. Officials are investigating additional illnesses that may be connected to this product. That milk and other dairy products sold by that facility are being recalled. Anyone who has consumed milk or other products from that dairy since June 1 is at high risk of a Brucella infection. The press release states that, "People who consumed milk from this dairy but have no symptoms should discuss the issue with their provider and monitor … [Read more...]
E. coli Outbreak After Mesa County Fair in Grand Junction, CO
At least eight people are sick with Shiga toxin-producing E. coli infections after visiting the Mesa County Fair in Grand Junction, Colorado, according to a news release by Mesa County Public Health. The fair was held from July 25 to July 29, 2017. This type of pathogenic bacteria is common in cattle, sheep, and goats, according to the press release. People can get sick when they come into contact with these animals, their bedding, fence railings, or anything in the surrounding environment. The animals shed E. coli in their feces, and it can get onto their coats or contaminate anything in the area. Public health officials have also been in contact with child care providers and health care providers to try to determine the magnitude of the outbreak and prevent further illnesses. … [Read more...]
Texas Cyclospora Outbreak Increases to 197 Sick
The cyclospora outbreak in Texas has now sickened at least 197 people, according to an update by the Texas Department of State Health Services. The counties with the most ill people are Bexar, with 25, Dallas, with 12, Harris, with 54, Tarrant, with 18, and Travis, with 14. Cyclospora parasites are native to tropical and subtropical regions of the globe. This parasite causes an intestinal illness when a person eats food or drinks water contaminated with the oocyst. The main symptoms of cyclosporiasis include watery diarrhea that is profuse and can be explosive, weight loss, fatigue, abdominal cramps, bloating, nausea, vomiting, and a low fever. People can be sick for weeks, and the illness can recur over a time span of months. This infection is not transmitted person-to-person, … [Read more...]
Salmonella Kiambu and Thompson Outbreak Linked to Papayas
The CDC has updated its investigation into the Salmonella outbreak linked to imported Maradol papayas. Now, the investigation, which was originally focused on Salmonella Kiambu infections, has been expanded to include Salmonella Thompson infections. The case count still stands at 109 people sick. Forty-eight people are sick with Salmonella Kiambu infections, and 61 people are sick with Salmonella Thompson infections. Those patients live in 16 states across the country. Thirty-five patients have been hospitalized, and one death was reported from New York City. Illnesses began in May 2017 and continue. All evidence, including epidemiologic and laboratory, indicate that Maradol papayas imported from Mexico "are the likely source of this multistate outbreak." Caribbean, Cavi, and … [Read more...]
CDC Warns About Cyclospora Outbreak; 206 Are Ill
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the FDA are investigating an increase in cyclosporiasis cases. They want to warn public health departments and healthcare facilities about this problem. There is an ongoing Cyclospora outbreak right now in Texas, with at least 197 people sick. And as of August 2, 2017, the CDC states that 206 people in 27 states are sick with cyclosporiasis infections. Those patients got sick on or after May 1, 2017. Eighteen people have been hospitalized because their illnesses are so severe. No deaths have been reported. The CDC has not yet provided a case count map or identified the states where people are sick. No specific food has been identified as possible sources, and officials are working to identify the source. Officials also do … [Read more...]
E. coli-HUS Outbreak in Virginia in March 2016 Associated with Raw Milk
An E. coli outbreak associated with raw milk that occurred in March 2016 was announced at the Virginia Department of Health Field Epidemiology Seminar, held on June 2, 2017 in Fredericksburg, Virginia. Daniel Ferrell, MPH, District Epidemiologist for the Rappahannock-Rapidan Health district presented the information. In March 2016, a doctor notified the Virginia Department of Health of four hospitalized patients who were diagnosed with Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) infections. Two of those patients developed hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). All of the patients consumed raw milk from a farm in the Rappahannock-Rapidan Health District as part of a herd-share program. Officials continued to receive more report of patients with STEC infections or HUS who had also consumed raw … [Read more...]
Deadly Salmonella Papaya Outbreak Sickens 109
The deadly Salmonella Kiambu outbreak linked to papayas has now sickened at least 109 people in 16 states. That's an increase of 64 more ill persons from the last update on July 21, 2017. Six more states have reported patients since then: Connecticut, Delaware, Michigan, North Carolina, Oklahoma, and Wisconsin. This outbreak began when Maryland officials started investigating a Salmonella cluster in their state. They found two types of Salmonella: Kiambu and Thompson. Officials were not sure if those sickened with Salmonella Thompson were part of this outbreak. Now, laboratory tests showed that the strain of Salmonella Thompson isolated from papayas collected in the Maryland investigation is "closely related genetically" to clinical isolates from patients so they are part of the … [Read more...]
