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...]
Townsend Farms Hepatitis A Outbreak Includes Four in New Mexico
The hepatitis A outbreak associated “Townsend Farms Organic Antioxidant Blend” frozen berry and pomegranate mix has sickened 79 people in eight states including four in New Mexico, according to state health officials. The New Mexico cases include a 51-year-old man and a 54-year-old man, both from Bernalillo County, a 54-year-old man from Sandoval County, and a 41-year-old woman from Santa Fe County. “We want to make sure people who have eaten this product within the last 14 days know that they can avoid illness by receiving a hepatitis A vaccination or immunoglobulin,” said Department of Health Cabinet Secretary Retta Ward, MPH in a statement. “Many local pharmacies have the hepatitis A vaccine and it is covered by a number of insurance plans. Local health care providers may also have … [Read more...]
