A multistate vibrio outbreak linked to fresh crab imported from Venezuela has sickened at least 123 people in Maryland, Louisiana, Pennsylvania, and the District of Columbia. Four people have been hospitalized because they are so sick. Illness onset dates range from April 1, 2018 to July 3, 2018. Ill persons range in age from 26 to 69 years. Epidemiologic evidence indicates that precooked fresh crab meat imported from Venezuela is the likely source of this outbreak. Whole genome sequencing shows that isolates taken from patients are closely related genetically. The means that people who are sick in this outbreak are likely to share a common source of infection. More people associated with this outbreak include some who ate crab and who had a positive test for Vibrio, which may or … [Read more...]
Multistate Vibrio Outbreak Linked to Fresh Crab from Venezuela Sickens 12; Lawsuits Possible
Vibrio Outbreak Linked to Venezuela Crab Sold in Maryland
A Vibrio outbreak in Maryland is linked to fresh Venezuela crab meat that was sold in that state. The crab in question was sold under different brand names. The brand names for this Venezuela crab were not mentioned in the press release. The Maryland Department of Health is wanting consumers to avoid eating non-pasteurized crab meat because of this potential risk. The fresh crab meat is sold in plastic tubs, with a label indicating that it was imported from that South American country. Crab harvested in the Maryland area is not associated with this outbreak, even though the waters of the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries have contained this particular bacteria. The Venezuela crab has been sold to individual households and to restaurant settings. It has been made into crab cakes, … [Read more...]
Outbreak at Fager’s Island Shell Shocked Oyster Festival in Maryland
According to news reports, officials at the Maryland Department of Public Health are investigating a "stomach flu" outbreak among people who attended the "Shell Shocked" beer and oyster festival on November 4, 2017. That event was held at Fager's Island Restaurant in Ocean City, Maryland. The state health department is working with the Worcester County Health Department on this outbreak. There is no information posted about these illnesses on either government website. According to the Baltimore Sun, the restaurant was allowed to hold a similar event on November 11, 2017. At least 145 people were sickened in this outbreak. What is commonly known as the "stomach flu" is almost always food poisoning. No one has been sick enough to need hospitalization. No deaths are linked to this … [Read more...]
FDA Comments on Deadly Papaya Salmonella Outbreak
The FDA is weighing in on the deadly Salmonella outbreak linked to Maradol papayas. Samples taken from this variety of fruit have teated positive for the outbreak strains of Salmonella Kimbu and Salmonella Thompson found in ill persons. Maradol papayas are green before they ripen and turn yellow. Do not eat Caribeña brand papayas regardless of the color. If you have these papayas in your home, throw them away in a sealed package immediately. At this time, Caribeña brand papayas from Mexico have been identified as a brand linked to these illnesses, but the CDC is advising consumers not to eat any Maradol papayas. Additional brands that may be associated with this outbreak will be announced as government officials identify them. The CDC reports that 47 people in 12 states have been … [Read more...]
Deadly Multistate Salmonella Kiambu Outbreak Linked to Papayas
A multistate outbreak of Salmonella Kiambu infections linked to yellow Maradol papayas has sickened 47 people in 12 states, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Maryland officials warned consumers about this potential outbreak with a recall of Caribeña’s brand yellow Maradol papayas this week. The CDC's announcement did not mention any brand of papaya in particular, but did state that "Salmonella Kiambu infections are linked to yellow Maradol Papayas en Español." The case count by state is: Iowa (1), Kentucky (1), Louisiana (1), Maryland (5), Massachusetts (1), Minnesota (1), New Jersey (12), New York (13), Pennsylvania (4), Texas (1), Utah (1), and Virginia (6). Twelve ill persons have been hospitalized, and one death has been reported in New York … [Read more...]
Papayas Recalled in Maryland Salmonella Case Investigation
Caribeña’s brand yellow Maradol papayas may be contaminated with Salmonella bacteria, according to the Maryland Department of Health. The yellow papaya have been distributed to retail stores throughout the state. Consumers are encouraged to check any papayas they have purchased to see if they match the brand and type recalled. Five yellow Maradol papayas sold at a Baltimore retail location were tested as part of an ongoing Salmonella case investigation. Three of the five papayas tested positive for the pathogenic bacteria. There is no information on how many people may have been sickened or any information about a timeline. And officials have not found the source of the contamination, but state that it could have occurred at any time or place in the supply chain. The symptoms … [Read more...]
I.M. Healthy Soy Nut Butter Associated with E. coli Outbreak
The CDC and FDA are warning consumers not to eat "I.M. Healthy" brand soy nut butter products because they may be associated with a multi-state E. coli O157 outbreak. The CDC and the FDA are collaborating with the states involved to investigate a cluster of illnesses that are closely related genetically. That indicates a common food source. Epidemiological evidence collected to date indicates that the I.M. Healthy brand Soy Nut Butter products may be contamianted with this pathogenic bacteria and are a "likely source of this outbreak," according to the CDC. We do know that at least one ill person lives in Maryland, since the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene posted a notice about the outbreak on their web site. That patient consumed I.M. Healthy soy nut butter … [Read more...]
Maryland Vibrio Outbreak in 2010 Traced to Asia
A study published in the Journal of Applied and Environmental Microbiology, of the American Society for Microbiology, has discovered that a Vibrio parahaemolyticus outbreak in Maryland in 2010 was caused by raw oysters harvested from the Chesapeake Bay, but the bacteria in those oysters came from Asia. The outbreak sickened two people who ate raw oysters at two different restaurants in Baltimore. Neither patient had graveled outside of the state in the week before they got sick, and neither had other risk factors for Vibrio infections. The outbreak strain of Vibrio, called "sequence type B" was identified because it was the only strain present in both the patients' stools and in the oysters. And that particular strain had previously only been found in Asia. So how did bacteria from a … [Read more...]
