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...]
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...]
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...]
