Two more illnesses in the Big Olaf ice cream Listeria monocytogenes outbreak brings the total to 25, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Twenty-four people have been hospitalized, one person has died, and there has been one fetal loss. And there is a genetic match between the ice cream samples and patient isolates. The case count by state is: Colorado (1), Florida (13), Georgia (1), Illinois (1), Kansas (1), Nebraska (1), Massachusetts (2), Minnesota (1), New Jersey (1), New York (2), and Pennsylvania (1). The patient age range is from less than one to 92 years. Illness onset dates range from January 24, 2021 to June 24, 2022. It's possible that this outbreak will keep growing, since it can take up to 70 days, or more than two months, between when a … [Read more...]
Salmonella Enteritidis Outbreak at Nebraska Correctional Facility
A Salmonela Enteritidis outbreak at a Nebraska correctional facility this year sickened at least 15 people, according to the CDC's Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR) for the week of July 15, 2022. The Lincoln-Lancaster County Health Department (LLCDH) notified the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services of two cases of laboratory-confirmed Salmonella in inmates on January 14, 2022. The investigation linked consumption of mechanically separated chicken to the illnesses. Mechanically separated chicken is produced by separating edible meat from bone and cartilage under pressure. It is often used for use in institutions like prisons, jails, and correctional facilities because it's cheap. A Salmonella Heidelberg outbreak linked to that product sickened at least nine … [Read more...]
Possible 12/21 Campylobacter Outbreak in Petersburg, Nebraska
A possible Campylobacter outbreak in December 2021 in the town of Petersburg, Nebraska is associated with the municipal water supply, according to news reports. Problems with the water tower may be the cause of these illnesses. More than 40 people in the city started showing symptoms of Campylobacter poisoning. The East Central District Health Department reportedly first thought that the illnesses were linked to food. But water tower experts said that gaps in the town's water tower let birds get in. Wild birds can spread Campylobacter, according to experts. Crop contamination is the most common way this pathogen is spread from birds to humans. The town started chlorinating the water supply in December 2021. That means the water is safe to drink. The CDC's Division of … [Read more...]
Northeast Seafood Salmonella Thompson Outbreak Sickens 102
A Northeast Seafood Salmonella Thompson outbreak has sickened at least 102 people in 14 states according to the FDA. Nineteen people are hospitalized because they are so sick. This outbreak is linked to Northeast Seafood Products fish that the company manufactured or processed. That company is located in Denver, Colorado. The patient case count by state is: Arizona (1), Colorado (82), Connecticut (1), Iowa (1), Minnesota (2), Missouri (1), Nebraska (2), New Jersey (2), Pennsylvania (1), Texas (2), Virginia (2), Washington (1), Wisconsin (2), and Wyoming (2). The last illness onset date was September 7, 2021. We don't know the patient age range yet or the hospitalization rate; that will be in the CDC outbreak notice. According to the CDC, most of the patients either live in … [Read more...]
Cake Mix E. coli Outbreak Ends With 16 Sick in 12 States
The cake mix E. coli outbreak has ended as of September 16, 2021, with 16 people sick in 12 states, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). A common brand of cake mix that made people sick was not identified. And no illnesses have been reported for seven weeks. The case count by state is: Illinois (2), Indiana (1), Iowa (2), Massachusetts (1), Michigan (1), Nebraska (2), Ohio (2), Oregon (1), South Carolina (1), Utah (1), Virginia (1), and Washington (1). Seven people were hospitalized. The patient age range is from 2 t0 73 years, with a median age of 13. The age range for outbreaks linked to baking ingredients usually skews young; 75% of children in this outbreak are under the age of 18. One person developed hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a type of … [Read more...]
Cake Mix E. coli Outbreak Sickens 16 in Twelve States; One HUS Case
A cake mix E. coli outbreak has been announced by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Sixteen people in twelve states are sick. Seven people have been hospitalized. The patient case count by state is: Illinois (2), Indiana (1), Iowa (2), Massachusetts (1), Michigan (1), Nebraska (2), Ohio (2), Oregon (1), South Carolina (1), Utah (1), Virginia (1), and Washington (1). The patient age range is from 2 t0 73 years, with a median age of 13. The age range for outbreaks linked to baking ingredients usually skews young; 75% of children in this outbreak are under the age of 18. The hospitalization rate is 44%. That is high for an E. coli outbreak, which is usually around 20%. And one person has developed hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a type of kidney failure. The … [Read more...]
FDA Weighs In On Fresh Market Blackberries Hepatitis A Outbreak
The FDA has published its final report on its investigation into the Fresh Market Blackberries hepatitis A outbreak. The illnesses are linked to fresh, conventionally grown (non organic) blackberries purchased from Fresh Thyme Farmers Market and Woodman's Market grocery stores. As of February 19, 2020, 20 people in 7 states were sickened. Since the last update on December 12, 2019, two more illnesses have been reported. One of those patients lives in Pennsylvania, a state that had not include in the case count. The case count by state is: Indiana (3), Michigan (1), Minnesota (1), Missouri (1), Nebraska (7), Pennsylvania (1), and Wisconsin (6). The last illness onset date was November 15, 2019. Eleven people were hospitalized because they were so ill. While most people have a … [Read more...]
Fresh Thyme Blackberries Hepatitis A Outbreak Ends With 20 Ill
The Fresh Thyme blackberries hepatitis A outbreak has ended after sickening 20 people in 7 states, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). That is an increase of 2 more illnesses since the last update on December 11, 2019. The case count by state as of February 19, 2020 is: Indiana (3), Michigan (1), Minnesota (1), Missouri (1), Nebraska (7), Pennsylvania (1), and Wisconsin (6). The CDC update did not provide the current case count numbers by state, but the FDA did. Pennsylvania was added to the state list, and one more ill person in Wisconsin was added. Illness onset dates ranged from October 8, 2019 to November 15, 2019. The patient age range was from 14 to 72 years. Of 19 people who gave information about their illness to investigators, 11, or … [Read more...]
Lincoln Correctional Center Salmonella Outbreak Sickens 6 in Nebraska
A Lincoln Correctional Center Salmonella outbreak in Nebraska has sickened at least six inmates, according to a press release by the Nebraska Department of Correctional Services. Food poisoning outbreaks at prisons and jails are fairly common because of close quarters and serving large quantities of food. However, none of the inmates incarcerated during the Lincoln Correctional Center Salmonella outbreak were tested when they got sick. All are recovering from their symptoms. Most of the patients were from one particular housing unit at the LCC. Dr. Harbans Deol, medical director at the Nebraska Department of Correctional Services (NDCS) said that it is likely that all of the patients consumed something that caused their illnesses. "Salmonella is one of those medical conditions … [Read more...]
Fresh Thyme Blackberries Hepatitis A Outbreak Grows to 18 Sick
The Fresh Thyme blackberries hepatitis A outbreak has grown again to include 18 sick in 6 states, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). These cases are potentially linked to conventionally grown blackberries sold at Fresh Thyme Farmers Market stores and Woodman's Market stores in several states from September 9, 2019 through September 30, 2019. The case count by state is: Indiana (3), Michigan (1), Minnesota (1), Missouri (1), Nebraska (7), and Wisconsin (5). Illness onset dates range from October 8, 2019 to November 15, 2019. The patient age range is from 14 to 73 years. Ten people, or 59% of those interviewed, have been hospitalized, which is a very high percentage for a hepatitis A outbreak. This outbreak could still grow, since hepatitis A … [Read more...]
