A Starbucks hepatitis A positive worker in Camden County, New Jersey worked while infectious, according to the Camden County Health Department. A health care provider notified the county about this situation. That Starbucks location is at 1490 Blackwood Clementon Road in Gloucester Township. The employee worked there on November 4, 5, 6, 11, 12, and 13, 2021. Public health officials were notified on November 17, 2021 that a patient had tested positive for hepatitis A. Members of the Food Surveillance Unit visited the store on that day and conducted an inspection, which showed no evidence of food safety violations. The store was closed, based on the investigation, and was not allowed to open until all of the employees were vaccinated against the virus. Camden County Health Officer … [Read more...]
Outbreak at Waterford Township School District in New Jersey
An outbreak at Waterford Township School District in New Jersey has closed school buildings for two weeks, according to a letter by Superintendent Dr. Brenda Haring that was sent to parents on May 10, 2021. According to the letter, employees who attended a luncheon held on May 6, 2021 that was catered by an outside vendor are sick with symptoms of food poisoning. More than 60% of the staff members got sick and are "continuing to recover." The district can't properly staff the building so they switched to an asynchronous day of instruction yesterday and continued that schedule today. The district reported the incident to the Camden County Department of Health and the Waterford Township Police Department for investigation. The pathogen that caused the illnesses is not yet known, … [Read more...]
FDA Releases Final Report on Tailor Cut Salmonella Fruit Mix Outbreak
The FDA has released its final report on the Tailor Cut Salmonella Fruit Mix outbreak that sickened at least 165 people in 14 states. The outbreak is linked to fruit mix sold by Tailor Cut Produce of North Brunswick, New Jersey. The mix contained cantaloupe, honeydew, pineapple, and red grapes. This outbreak is over as of February 18, 2020. It was caused by Salmonella Javiana. The case count by state is: California (1) Colorado (1), Connecticut (1), Delaware (49), Florida (1), Georgia (1), Illinois (1), Massachusetts (1), Minnesota (1), New Jersey (50), New York (7), Pennsylvania (49), Virginia (1), and Washington (1). Seventy-three people were hospitalized, which is a high percentage for a Salmonella outbreak. Many of those sickened ate the fruit while they were in hospitals, long … [Read more...]
Tailor Cut Fruit Salmonella Javiana Outbreak Ends With 165 Sick
The Tailor Cut fruit Salmonella Javiana outbreak has ended with 165 people sick in 14 states. Seventy-three people were hospitalized because they were so sick. Still, the Centers for Disease control and Prevention (CDC) says that consumers must handle fruit safely to prevent foodborne illness. The case count by state is: California (1) Colorado (1), Connecticut (1), Delaware (49), Florida (1), Georgia (1), Illinois (1), Massachusetts (1), Minnesota (1), New Jersey (50), New York (7), Pennsylvania (49), Virginia (1), and Washington (1). The totals were so high in New York, Delaware, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania because Tailor Cut Produce distributes their product in those states. And 26 schoolchildren in Delaware were sickened with fruit that was given to them at school. Most ill … [Read more...]
PA Salmonella Outbreak Potentially Linked to Tailor Cut Produce Fruit Mix
The PA Salmonella outbreak that has sickened 31 people in four healthcare facilities is potentially linked to Tailor Cut Produce Fruit Mix, according to the FDA. Epidemiologic and traceback evidence indicates that that fruit mix, made with cantaloupe, honeydew melon, pineapple, and grapes, is a potential source of the outbreak. Tailor Cut Produce says that their products may be found in restaurants, banquet facilities, hotels, schools, and institutional food service establishments in New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania. At least 31 people in southeast Pennsylvania are sick with Salmonella Javiana infections. The four healthcare facilities have not yet been named. But the FDA notice states, "Because this fruit mix may have been distributed to nursing homes, schools, hospitals and … [Read more...]
Somerville, NJ ShopRite Employee Diagnosed With Hepatitis A
A Somerville, New Jersey ShopRite employee has been diagnosed with hepatitis A, according to the Somerset County Health Department. That department, along with the New Jersey Department of Health and Wakefern Corporation, is working to notify shoppers of that market. The ShopRite store is located at 1 South Davenport Street in Somerville, New Jersey. The employee's infectious period was from October 13, 2019 to October 30, 2019. That means that anyone who who purchased items from the in-store deli or who used the restroom during that time frame may have been infected and should get the hepatitis A or immune globulin vaccine. Unfortunately, the vaccines are only effective if given within two weeks of exposure, which means that it's too late to get the shot for anyone who visited … [Read more...]