It's time for the top 10 food poisoning outbreaks of 2022. There were not many multistate outbreaks this year; just a few more than the pandemic year of 2020 according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). But there were still hundreds of Americans sickened by contaminated food. And the case counts for these outbreaks are likely far lower than the actual number sickened because any people aren't diagnosed and not included. Most of these outbreaks have ended, but a couple are still ongoing. Number ten is the newest outbreak, the Listeria monocytogenes outbreak that is linked to enoki mushrooms imported from Korea. (By the way, enoki mushrooms were the most recalled food of 2022.) This outbreak investigation has not been updated for more than a month. The last … [Read more...]
Mariscos Bahia Seafood Salmonella Outbreak Ends With 39 Sick
The Mariscos Bahia seafood Salmonella Litchfield outbreak has ended with 39 people sick in four states, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). That is an increase of six more patients since the last investigation update that was issued on October 25, 2022. The outbreak has ended as of December 14, 2022. The patient case count by state is: Arizona (13), California (24), Illinois (1), and Texas (1). Illinois has been added to the state list. The new patients live in California and Arizona. Illness onset dates range from June 14, 2022 to October 23, 2022. The patient age range is from 1 to 80 years. Of 32 people who gave information to investigators, 15 were hospitalized, for a hospitalization rate of 47%, which is high for a Salmonella outbreak. Eighteen … [Read more...]
Dai One Foods Raw Oysters Linked to Sapovirus Outbreak
Dai One Foods raw oysters are linked to a sapovirus outbreak, according to the FDA, which has issued a warning about the shellfish. These oysters were imported from the Republic of Korea. The Southern Nevada Health District notified the FDA of two clusters of illnesses from people who ate the raw oysters at a restaurant in Law Vegas on October 28, 2022 and November 5, 2022. There is one confirmed and nine potential patients. Sapovirus is a highly contagious virus that causes acute gastroenteritis, especially in children. Symptoms include diarrhea, vomiting, nausea, and stomach pain, along with headache, fever, and body aches. Most people get sick about 12 to 48 hours after exposure to the virus, and the illness lasts about one to four days. Anyone who has recently consumed raw … [Read more...]
Did Banned Enoki Mushrooms Make Their Way to Store Shelves?
On November 17, Green Day Produce of Vernon, CA issued a Listeria recall for enoki mushrooms imported from Korea. But why were they on store shelves in the first place? Due to widespread problems with Listeria contamination in enoki mushrooms from Korea, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a countrywide import alert for them four months ago. This action essentially bans the import of all enoki mushrooms from the Republic of Korea. Companies seeking an exemption can submit documentation that the product has been tested and is pathogen-free, but even this does not guarantee that the product will be admitted to the U.S., according to the FDA website's information about import alerts. Firms that meet the criteria for exemption from an import alert are added to a "green … [Read more...]
New Listeria Outbreak Linked to Enoki Mushrooms Sickens Two
A new Listeria outbreak linked to enoki mushrooms has been announced by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). At least two people in two states are sick. The case count by state is: Michigan (1) and Nevada (1). The patient age range is from 30 to 42. Illness onset dates range from October 5, 2022 to October 8, 2022. Both patients have been hospitalized. And both reported eating enoki mushrooms or eating at restaurants that served items containing enoki mushrooms before they got sick. Whole genome sequencing conducted on patient isolates showed that they likely both got sick from eating the same product, since they are closely related genetically. And in November 2021, the FDA found Listeria monocytogenes in one sample of enoki mushrooms that were collected at … [Read more...]
FDA Weighs in on Mariscos Bahia Raw Salmon Salmonella Outbreak
The FDA has weighed in on the Mariscos Bahia raw salmon Salmonella Litchfield outbreak that has sickened at least 33 people is three states. Thirteen people have been hospitalized because they are so sick. The salmon was sold to restaurants and was not sold to the general public in retail grocery stores. The patient case count by state is: Arizona (11), California (21), and Illinois (1). The product was sold in Arizona and California, but it may have been sold to restaurants in other states. Based on epidemiologic information gathered in interviews, and through traceback, the FDA has determined that raw salmon provided by Mariscos Bahia is the likely source of this outbreak. Of 16 people who were interviewed by public health officials, 12 said they ate sushi, sashimi, or poke … [Read more...]
Real Water Hepatitis Outbreak Is the Number Eight Outbreak of 2021
The Real Water hepatitis outbreak is the number eight outbreak of 2021 with 21 probable cases. There are also four suspected cases in this outbreak. The outbreak is considered "non-viral hepatitis," which means it was not caused by a virus, but instead caused acute liver damage through inflammation. This inflammation scars the liver tissue and liver failure can be the result. It can be caused by chemicals, contaminated water or food, solvents, metals, pesticides, paint thinners, prescription and over the counter drugs, and nutritional supplements. The patient case count by state is: California (3 probable cases) and Nevada (18 probable cases, four suspect cases). There are no confirmed cases because a causative agent for the illnesses has not been identified. Illness onset dates … [Read more...]
Real Water Non Viral Hepatitis Outbreak Ends With 21 Probable Cases
The Real Water non viral hepatitis outbreak has ended, according to the FDA. The investigation has been closed, although it is still important that consumers, restaurants, distributors, and retailers not drink, cook with, sell, or serve "Real Water" alkaline water that was produced by that company. And that water should not be served to pets. In the end, there were 21 probable illnesses and four suspected illnesses in this outbreak. Twenty one of the probable cases were hospitalized, and two of the suspect cases were hospitalized. One of the patients died. The last illness onset date was November 29, 2020. The patient case count by state is: California (3 probable), and Nevada (18 probable, 4 suspect). Real Water Inc. is not currently in operation, but it is possible that these … [Read more...]
Avanti Shrimp Salmonella Weltevreden Outbreak Ends With Nine Ill
The Avanti shrimp Salmonella Weltevreden outbreak has ended after sickening nine people in four states, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). This investigation was closed on July 21, 2021, but reopened on August 13, 2021 when more illnesses were detected on PulseNet, the national database for pathogen isolates. The case count by state is: Arizona (2), Michigan (2), Nevada (4), and Rhode Island (1). Patient illness onset dates range from February 26. 2021 to July 17, 2021. The patient age range is from 30 to 80 years. Of six people who gave information to investigators, three have been hospitalized, for a rate of 50%, more than double the typical Salmonella outbreak hospitalization rate. State and local public health officials interviewed people about … [Read more...]
CDC Weighs in on Reopened Salmonella Weltevreden Shrimp Outbreak
The CDC is weighing in on the reopened Salmonella Weltevreden shrimp outbreak that has sickened at least nine people in four states. Three people are hospitalized because they are so sick. That is an increase of three new illnesses, one new hospitalization, and two new states since the last update in July 2021. This investigation was closed, but was reopened when more ill persons were discovered. The case counts by state are: Arizona (2), Michigan (2), Nevada (4), and Rhode Island (1). Illness onset dates range from February 26. 2021 to July 17, 2021. The patient age range is from 30 to 80 years. Of six people who gave information to investigators, three have been hospitalized. At least one of the newly diagnosed patients ate frozen cooked shrimp supplied by Avanti Frozen foods … [Read more...]
