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...]
Four in Minnesota Sickened in Breaded Chicken Salmonella Outbreak
There are four in Minnesota sickened in a breaded chicken Salmonella outbreak, with at least 13 others in five other states. Eight people have been hospitalized because they are so sick. Minnesota played a large part in potentially solving this outbreak. The Minnesota Department of Agriculture collected five raw frozen breaded stuffed chicken products from a grocery store where an ill person shopped. The outbreak strain was found in two samples of Kirkwood's Chicken Cordon Bleu. There may be more brands of these types of products involved in this outbreak, since patients have told public health investigators that they purchased and ate many different brands of raw frozen breaded stuffed chicken products from multiple stores. The flavors that patients reported buying include … [Read more...]
New Raw Breaded Stuffed Chicken Salmonella Outbreak Sickens 17
A new raw breaded stuffed chicken Salmonella outbreak has sickened at least 17 people in six states, according to a notice posted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Eight people have been hospitalized because they are so sick, which is very high for a Salmonella outbreak. The typical hospitalization rate for this type of infection is just 20%. The USDA has issued a vague public health alert warning consumers about this type of product and stating safe cooking instructions. The warning covers items that are labeled "chicken cordon bleu," "chicken with broccoli and cheese," or "chicken Kiev." The government is collecting different types of data to investigate these illnesses. The patient case count by state is: Arizona (1) Illinois (6), Indiana (3), Michigan … [Read more...]
Real Water Ceased Operations After Non-Viral Hepatitis Outbreak
The FDA has announced that Real Water ceased operations after the non-viral hepatitis outbreak associated with their alkaline water may have sickened at least 16 people. According to a consent decree complaint, the company allegedly failed to comply with FDA manufacturing requirements. U.S. District Judge Jennifer A. Dorsey entered a consent decree of permanent injunction on June 1, 2021 between the United States and AffinityListstyles.com Inc, which is the majority shareholder of Real Water Inc. According to the compliant filed by the Department of Justice on behalf of the FDA, the defendants allegedly violated the FD&C Act by operating facilities that failed to meet preventive controls requirements to control food hazards. The complaint also alleges that the products are … [Read more...]
Pure Eire Yogurt E. coli Outbreak Sickens 15 in Washington and Arizona
The Pure Eire Yogurt E. coli outbreak has now sickened 15 people in Washington state and Arizona, according to an update by the Washington Department of Health. Nine people have been hospitalized, which is double the usual percentage for an E. coli outbreak, and four patients have developed hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a kind of kidney failure. The Washington DOH is one;y reporting cases that have been genetically linked. Local health departments may report higher numbers that may include cases that are till under investigation. The case count by county in Washington state is: Benton (1), Clark (1), King (9), Snohomish (2), Walla Walla (1), and one case in Yavapai in Arizona. The Arizona patient was likely a secondary infection, meaning the person sickened was probably made … [Read more...]
PCC Market Yogurt by Pure Eire Dairy Linked to Washington E. coli Outbreak
PCC Market Yogurt by Pure Eire Dairy is linked to a multi county E .coli O157:H7 outbreak in Washington state, according to a news release issued by the Washington State Department of Health. Both PCC Market and Pure Eire yogurt have been recalled. Pure Eire Dairy is working with the state Department of Agriculture to identify and recall all affected products. The outbreak now includes 11 confirmed cases that have been genetically linked, including six children who are under the age of 10. Seven people have been hospitalized. Three people have developed hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), which is a kind of kidney failure. The state patient case count by county is: Benton (1), King (8), Snohomish (1), and Walla Walla (1). The Department of Heath is continuing to gather case … [Read more...]
Pure Eire Dairy Yogurt Recalled In Association with Washington E. coli Outbreak
According to a notice on its Facebook page, Pure Éire Dairy, located in Washington state, is recalling Pure Eire Dairy yogurt because it may be associated with the Washington E. coli O157:H7 outbreak that has sickened at least eleven people in four counties. In an email, the Washington State Department of Health has identified the outbreak as "likely linked" to PCC Community Market brand yogurt that is produced by Pure Eire Dairy. According to that Facebook post, 12 hours ago the Washington State Department of Agriculture pulled 12 random yogurt samples from store shelves and all have come back negative for E. coli bacteria. Often in outbreaks, food that has made people sick may have been used or discarded by the time that officials start investigations and testing. The recalled … [Read more...]
Washington E. coli Outbreak Spreads to Four Counties, at Least Six Sick
The Washington E. coli outbreak has now spread to four counties with at least six confirmed cases, according to the Washington State Department of Health (DOH). This E. coli O157:H7 outbreak may be linked to fresh produce. The official case count stands at six, even though the individual county health departments are reporting higher totals. King County says it has seven cases, while Snohomish County claims two. Benton and Walla Walla Counties claim four patients, for a total of 13 patients. The difference is that the Washington DOH only reports confirmed cases infected with E. coli O157:H7 that have been genetically linked, while the cases the counties are reporting may still be under investigation. In the official state case count, there is one case between the ages of 0 and 9, … [Read more...]
Two E. coli Cases in Snohomish County, Washington Added to King County
Two E. coli cases in Snohomish County, Washington state, have been identified, according to a press release from the Snohomish Health District. These cases, in a 20-year-old woman and a 10-year-old child, are apparently connected to the seven children who are sick with Shiga Toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) infections in King County, Washington. The child has been hospitalized, but no further information about him or her has been shared with the public for patient privacy considerations. Dr. Chris Spitters, Health Information Officer for the Snohomish Health District, said in a statement, "The exact source of E. coli contamination can be difficult to pinpoint, but public health interviews lead us to believe the cases may be linked to eating fresh produce. While we continue working … [Read more...]
Seven Children Sick in Seattle E. coli Outbreak: Produce Possible Source
In the Seattle E. coli outbreak that has sickened at least seven children, officials now think that some type of produce is the source of the pathogen, according to Seattle King County Public Health. The case count has not changed. All cases are under the age of 15, with three under the age of five. Officials have identified "multiple types of fresh produce, mostly organic," in most of the cases but they cannot as of yet rule out other possibilities of the source of the illnesses. The notice states, "We are still uncertain if these cases share the same source of their infection or not." All of the children have symptoms consistent with a Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) infection, which include abdominal cramps, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea that is often bloody. Two … [Read more...]
