The FDA has released its initial investigation into the shrimp Salmonella Weltevreden outbreak that has sickened at least six people in two states. The frozen precooked shrimp was imported by Avanti Frozen Foods of India. A positive import sample, along with epidemiological and traceback evidence that has come out of the investigation, indicates that this outbreak is linked to that frozen cooked shrimp. The FDA has identified a common import of shrimp that could have been consumed by these patients. The shrimp was all sold thawed at retail and is no longer available for sale. On January 26, 2021, an import sample of Avanti Frozen Foods shrimp was collected as part of the FDA's Import Seafood Compliance Program. The shrimp tested positive for Salmonella Weltevreden. At that time, … [Read more...]
Frozen Cooked Shrimp Salmonella Outbreak Sickens 6 in NV and AZ
A frozen cooked shrimp Salmonella outbreak has sickened at least six people who live in Nevada and Arizona. Two people are hospitalized because they are so sick. Epidemiologic, laboratory, and traceback data show that frozen cooked shrimp supplied by Avanti Frozen Foods is contaminated with Salmonella Weltevreden. The case count by state is: Arizona (2) and Nevada (4). Illness onset dates range from February 26, 2021 to April 25, 2021. The patients age range is from 30 to 80 years. Of five people who gave information to public health officials, two have been hospitalized for a hospitalization rate of 40%, double the typical rate of 20%. State and local public health officials interviewed patients about the foods they ate the week before they got sick. Of the five people … [Read more...]
Pure Eire Yogurt E. coli Outbreak Case Count Grows to 17
The Pure Eire yogurt E. coli outbreak case count has grown to 17, according to a new update by the Washington State Department of Health. One new case from Arizona, who has been infected with the outbreak strain, has been identified. All three of the Arizona cases are considered secondary infections. According to the patient age range chart, the new case is between the ages of 10 and 19. The outbreak case count by county in Washington is: Benton (1), Clark (1), King (9), Snohomish (2), and Walla Walla (1). Three cases are in Yavapai county in Arizona. The patient age range is 0 to nine years (10), 10 to 19 years (3), 20 to 29 years (1), 30 to 39 years (1), and 70 to 79 years (1). Four patients have developed hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a type of kidney failure, and ten patients … [Read more...]
Yogurt E. coli Outbreak: What is a Secondary Food Poisoning Infection?
In the Pure Eire yogurt E. coli outbreak that has sickened at least 16 people in Washington and Arizona, some of the patients have contracted secondary food poisoning infections. This term may not be familiar to everyone. So what is this type of infection? A secondary food poisoning infection occurs when someone gets sick from contact with another person, not by eating contaminated food or drinking contaminated water. Many pathogens can be spread person-to-person, by direct contact and common contact with fomites (surfaces), both through the fecal-oral route. In the Pure Eire yogurt E. coli outbreak, for instance, two children in Arizona are sick with the outbreak strain, but neither consumed the recalled yogurt. Instead, they contracted this infection after having close contact … [Read more...]
Gaston County Hepatitis A Outbreak Warning in North Carolina
Officials are warning the public about a Gaston County hepatitis A outbreak that may have started in the homeless and drug using population but now has spread to the general public and includes some people who were sickened after eating at food businesses. The Gaston County Health Department in North Carolina urged vaccination against this virus last month. According to the Gaston Gazette, a huge spike in cases has occurred in just the first three months of 2021. There were just 33 cases in the county from 2018 to 2020, but more than 120 cases of hepatitis A have been diagnosed this year so far. Officials would not name the businesses that may be involved in this outbreak. And more than 70% of these cases have required hospitalization. Hepatitis A can seriously damage the liver, … [Read more...]
Possible Salmonella Outbreak at Don Julio in North Branch, Minnesota
A possible Salmonella outbreak at Don Julio restaurant in North Branch, Minnesota is being investigated by the Minnesota Department of Health, according to Information Officer Doug Schultz. He told Food Poisoning Bulletin that officials are investigating Salmonella cases that reported eating at that restaurant. Mr. Schultz added that there is not a risk to the general public from this outbreak. Because the investigation is new and ongoing, there is no information about the number of patients, any hospitalizations, illness onset dates, the patient age range, or if the investigation is focusing on food or employees. Don Julio is a Mexican-themed restaurant that has six locations in the northern suburbs of Minneapolis. The North Branch location is at 5466 St. Croix Trail, Suites … [Read more...]
Thomson Red Onion Salmonella Outbreak Investigation Report
The FDA has released an investigation report into the Thomson red onion Salmonella outbreak that took place n the summer and fall of 2020. the report details the factors that may have contributed to the contamination of the onions. At least 1,127 American and 515 people in Canada were sickened in this outbreak, which was the largest Salmonella outbreak in more than ten years. The outbreak was also unusual because red onions had not been associated with a foodborne illness outbreak before. The outbreak strain of Salmonella Newport was not identified in any of the nearly 2,000 subsamples tested, but 11 subsamples, which included ten water and 1 sediment, that were collected near the growing fields identified in traceback were positive for Salmonella Newport. A conclusive root cause … [Read more...]
Organic Yogurt E. coli Outbreak Expands, Investigation Continues
An E. coli outbreak linked to organic yogurt sold under the brand names Pure Eire and PCC Market now includes 16 cases, a spokesperson told Food Poisoning Bulletin today. Most of the people sickened are children. Ten people have been hospitalized, and four have developed hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a form of kidney failure associated with E. coli infections. The organic yogurt E. coli outbreak includes 14 cases in Washington and two cases in Arizona. Both cases in Arizona are considered secondary infections, meaning the Arizona patients did not eat the yogurt but were in close contact with a visitor from Wahington who did. The grass-fed, organic yogurt associated with the outbreak is produced by Pure Eire Dairy of Othello, WA and sold under the brand names Pure Eire and PCC … [Read more...]
Illinois Breaded Chicken Breast Salmonella Outbreak Includes Six Patients
The Illinois breaded chicken breast Salmonella outbreak includes six patients, more than one-third of the 17 total illnesses in six states. The other patients live in Minnesota, Arizona, Indiana, Michigan, and New York. Eight people have been hospitalized, which is a very high percentage for a Salmonella outbreak. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says that the number of people sickened in this outbreak is likely much higher than the total reported so far. That's because most people who contract this infection do not see a doctor and recover without medical attention. In fact, the multiplier researchers use for Salmonella outbreaks is around 30, meaning that there could be more than 500 people sickened in this one particular outbreak. Most of those sickened in … [Read more...]
New Salmonella Weltevreden Outbreak on FDA Core Investigation Table
A new Salmonella Weltevreden outbreak has been posted on the FDA's Core Outbreak Investigation Table. At least six people have been sickened in this outbreak. According to the table, traceback has been initiated, but officials do not yet know what caused these illnesses, or what food may have caused this outbreak. There is also no information about illness onset dates or the patient age ranges, or if anyone has been hospitalized. Of the seven outbreaks listed on that table so far this year, four have been reported on by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and three have been solved. The Listeria monocytogenes outbreak linked to Abuelito Hispanic-style fresh and soft cheeses, ended in May 2021. The Salmonella Duisburg and Salmonella Urbana outbreak linked to Jules … [Read more...]
