There are now nine deaths in Boar's Head deli meat Listeria monocytogenes outbreak, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The new death is from New York. Yesterday the CDC said there were eight deaths. And CBS News is reporting that, after a Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA) request, they received inspection reports for the Boar's Head facility in Jarratt, Virginia. There were 69 records of noncompliance registered by USDA inspectors, including mold and mildew, leaking and pooling water, some with green algal growth, condensation dripping on the product, a rancid smell, insects including flies and a cockroach, and blood in puddles on the floor. The case count remains the same, with 57 sick in 18 states: Arizona (1), Florida (3), Georgia (2), Illinois … [Read more...]
Eight Deaths in Boar’s Head Deli Meat Listeria Outbreak
There are now eight deaths in Boar's Head deli meat Listeria monocytogenes outbreak, according to the CDC, with at least 57 people sick in 18 states. That's an increase of five more deaths, 14 more cases, and five more states added since the last update was issued on August 8, 2024. All 57 patients have been hospitalized. The case count by state is: Arizona (1), Florida (3), Georgia (2), Illinois (1), Indiana (1), Maryland (8), Massachusetts (3), Minnesota (1), Missouri (3), New Jersey (5), New Mexico (1), New York (17), North Carolina (1), Pennsylvania (2), South Carolina (2), Tennessee (1), Virginia (1), and Wisconsin (1). The people who died lived in Illinois, New Jersey, Virginia, Florida, Tennessee, New Mexico, and two lived in South Carolina. The patient age range is from … [Read more...]
New Mexico State Fair Cryptosporidium Outbreak Sickens 18
A New Mexico State Fair Cryptosporidium outbreak has sickened at least 18 people, according to the New Mexico Department of Health. The outbreak is "statewide" according to the press release. The Fair took place from September 7 to September 17, 2023. Illnesses are associated with exposure to livestock exhibited at a petting zoo at the fair. There are three patients with laboratory confirmed cryptosporidiosis infections, and an additional 15 clinically compatible cases who visited that petting zoo. The patients live in multiple counties accorded the state. There is no word on whether or not any of the patients were hospitalized, and we do not know the patient age range or illness onset dates. Cryptosporidium is a microscopic parasite that is spread by contact with animals … [Read more...]
Ground Beef Salmonella Outbreak Sickens 30 in New Mexico; Lawsuits Possible
A ground beef Salmonella outbreak has sickened at least 30 people in New Mexico, according to a notice published by the New Mexico Department of Health. State officials are working with the USDA and CDC on this outbreak. It's likely that these illnesses are part of a larger multistate Salmonella outbreak linked to JBS Tolleson ground beef. In the last CDC update, officials stated that 21 people in New Mexico were sick. The CDC has not updated their ground beef Salmonella outbreak investigation since October 23, 2018. Illnesses in New Mexico started being reported in late August. The average illness duration among these patients is 13 days, which is much higher than the 4 to 7 days that a typical Salmonella infection lasts. And 27% of patients have been hospitalized in that state, … [Read more...]
Food Poisoning Outbreak at NM Department of Health Luncheon
The Santa Fe New Mexican is reporting that a food poisoning outbreak has occurred at the state Department of Health's annual holiday luncheon. Dozens of employees got sick after eating at that party last week. The event was held at the Harold Runnels Building. More than 200 employees were at the luncheon, and about 70 people suffered from gastrointestinal issues after eating. The party was catered by an unnamed facility. There may have been cross-contamination of foods served during the event. But the outbreak may have been caused by Bacillus cereus or Clostridium perfringens, common pathogens that cause a lot of illness this time of the year. Those pathogens usually sicken people when food is prepared in large amounts and served to large groups. It can be difficult to keep … [Read more...]
Cryptosporidium Outbreak in NM Associated with Raw Milk
The New Mexico Department of Health says that they are investigating six cases of cryptosporidiosis associated with raw milk products. That illness is caused by the Cryptosporidium parasite. Also investigating the outbreak are the New Mexico Department of Agriculture and the New Mexico Environment Department. Those cases have been reported to the government since August 31, 2016. Each person sickened said they consumed raw milk products before getting sick. All of those sickened live in Bernalillo County. There is no word on any potential recall, or if any of the patients have been hospitalized, their ages, or conditions. Secretary of Health Designate Lynn Gallagher said in a statement, "raw milk products may be contaminated with a variety of infectious pathogens. We are … [Read more...]
Arizona Confirms 5th Patient in Listeria Caramel Apple Outbreak
Arizona marked its fifth case of Listeria from contaminated caramel apples in January, making it a leading state in a deadly outbreak that also has harmed a number of babies and expecting mothers. Now with five case patients, the Grand Canyon State has as many confirmed illnesses in the outbreak as Missouri and just one less than New Mexico, which leads all states with six listeriosis victims who fell sick after eating commercially produced, pre-packaged caramel apples. With two other new cases recorded in early January, the collective toll now stands at 35 Listeria infections in 12 states attributed to contaminated caramel apples. Minnesota, Wisconsin, Texas and California also have multiple residents who were infected. According to a revised outbreak summary published by the … [Read more...]
Caramel Apple Listeria Deaths a Focus of Apple Associations
The California Apple Commission is working with other apple producing states and the U.S. Apple Association regarding the outbreak of listeriosis that state and federal health authorities have associated with commercially produced, pre-packaged caramel apples. In a December 23 newsletter piece about the deadly caramel apple outbreak, the state-authorized commission recapped some details of the investigation, quoting a CDC document that said “at this time, no illnesses related to this outbreak have been linked to apples that are not caramel-coated and not prepackaged or to caramel candy.” As the newsletter stated, the investigation is still working to determine specific brands or types of commercially produced, prepackaged caramel apples that may be linked to the illnesses. So far, … [Read more...]
Caramel Apple Listeria Outbreak Draws Varied State Responses
Minnesota, New Mexico, Utah and California are among the states to contribute their own public alerts and announcements about the caramel apple Listeria outbreak that has been associated with four deaths, three cases of bacterial meningitis and nine serious illnesses among pregnant women and babies. The visible involvement by health departments in those states to combat the outbreak and educate citizens stands in contrast to public silences kept by other states where people have been confirmed as case patients. "States contributing to the public awareness of this outbreak are helping to save lives,'' said Fred Pritzker, a food safety lawyer who represents Listeria outbreak victims. "They haven't been afraid to stand behind their science and call out makers of commercially produced … [Read more...]
Listeria Meningitis Deepens Threat of Caramel Apple Outbreak
Federal officials have taken special note of Listeria meningitis illnesses associated with a closely watched outbreak of listeriosis associated with consumption of pre-packaged, commercially produced caramel apples. Outbreak analysis by the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) shows that three otherwise healthy children aged 5 to 15 contracted invasive meningitis from the type of Listeria associated with the outbreak. Depending on the severity of these cases, the families of these children likely have been immersed in critical care situations because meningitis infects a person's central nervous system. The more common type of illness from Listeria monocytogenes -- also deadly -- is infection of a person's bloodstream. Listeria meningitis is severe. While most people with … [Read more...]
