There is a new deadly Listeria monocytogenes outbreak that is linked to deli meats and cheeses. Ten people are sick in three states, including Florida, Massachusetts, and New York, and one person who lived in Florida has died. All ten patients were hospitalized. While people at high risk for serious complications of food poisoning are warned to stay away from deli meats and cheeses, how often are outbreaks linked to those products? The issue is usually one of cross-contamination. If there is Listeria monocytogenes contamination in a deli, the pathogen can spread via slicing machines. One this pathogen is established, it can resist cleaning. These outbreaks don't happen often, and each one doesn't sicken many people, but those who do get sick are usually hospitalized. This is a … [Read more...]
Deli Meat Listeria Monocytogenes Outbreak Sickens 10 in 3 States
A deli meat Listeria monocytogenes outbreak has sickened 10 people in three states, according to a notice posted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Epidemiologic evidence shows that deli meat is a likely source of this outbreak. The case count by state is: Florida (1), Massachusetts (7), and New York (2). All ten patients have been hospitalized. One person who lived in Florida has sadly died. Illness onset dates range from August 6, 2020 to October 3, 2020. The patient age range is from 40 to 89 years. Nine of the patients were interviewed by investigators. All of them said that they ate Italian-style meats, such as salami, mortadella, and prosciutto, before they got sick. They bought prepackaged deli meats and meats sliced at deli counters at different … [Read more...]
FDA Investigation into the Peach Salmonella Outbreak Continues As It Ends
The FDA investigation into the peach Salmonella outbreak is continuing even as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has declared the outbreak over. At least 101 people in 17 states were sickened in this outbreak which was first identified in August 2020. Twenty-eight patients were hospitalized. The patient case count by state is: California (1), Connecticut (1), Illinois (1), Iowa (11), Kansas (1), Kentucky (1), Maryland (1), Michigan (18), Minnesota (27), Missouri (2), New Jersey (8), New York (14), Ohio (1), Pennsylvania (4), Vermont (1) Virginia (3), and Wisconsin (6). The ages of patients ranged from 1 to 92 years. Illness onset dates range from June 29, 2020 to August 27, 2020. No deaths were reported. This outbreak prompted many recalls, including secondary … [Read more...]
Bath NY Dunkin Donuts Employee Tested Positive For Hepatitis A
The Steuben County Public Health Department has confirmed a case of hepatitis A in a Bath NY Dunkin Donuts employee who worked while contagious. That restaurant is located at 350 West Morris Street in Bath, New York. Anyone who ate food or consumed drink from that establishment from August 17 through August 22, 2020 may have been exposed to the virus. While there is a low risk of contracting the virus, anyone who hasn't been vaccinated or who has not had the illness should monitor their health for symptoms of the virus. The virus is spread through the fecal-oral route, by ingesting small, undetected amounts of stool from and infected person. This can happen through sharing food or drink, eating at a restaurant where and infected person works, or by touching contaminated … [Read more...]
Possible Hepatits A Exposure at PF Chang’s in Destiny, USA, NY
A possible hepatitis A exposure at PF Chang's in Destiny USA, which is located at 9090 Destiny USA Drive in Syracuse, New York, may have put customers at risk for contracting the virus, according to news reports and the Onondaga County Health Department. A restaurant worker who handles food at that establishment was diagnosed with the illness. Anyone who ate or drank at that facility between Friday, July 31, 2020 and Sunday, August 2, 2020 may have been exposed to the virus. Unfortunately, it's too late for the immune globulin or hepatitis A vaccine, since those shots are only effective when given within two weeks of exposure. It's been 18 days since the last possible exposure occurred. If you were at that restaurant on the above dates, monitor yourself and your family for the … [Read more...]
Taco Bell Hepatitis A Exposure On Erie Blvd. in Rome, New York
There has been a Taco Bell hepatitis A exposure at the restaurant on Erie Boulevard in Rome, New York. That employee worked while infectious, according to a press release by the Oneida County Health Department. The employee worked from June 11, 2020 to June 22, 2020, and from June 24, 25, 29, July 2, and July 3, 2020 at different times, mostly 6:00 pm to 2:00 am. That means that anyone who ate there on June 24, 2020 needs to be vaccinated by today, July 8, 2020. The hepatitis A and immune globulin vaccinations are only effective if given within two weeks of exposure. This Taco Bell hepatitis A exposure may have exposed many people to the virus. Anyone who has been vaccinated or who has had the disease is presumably immune and doesn't need another shot. Contact your healthcare … [Read more...]
Enoki Mushroom Listeria Outbreak Ends With 36 Sick, 4 Dead
The enoki mushroom Listeria outbreak has ended with 36 sick in 17 states and 4 dead, according to an update published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Thirty-one people were hospitalized because they were so ill. The case count by state is: Arizona (2), California (9), Florida (2), Hawaii (3), Indiana (1), Kentucky (1), Maryland (2), Massachusetts (2), Michigan (1), Missouri (1), New Jersey (1), New York (4), North Carolina (1), Rhode Island (1), Tennessee (1), Virginia (3), and Washington (1). Illness onset dates ranged from November 3, 2016 to December 13, 2019. The patient age range is from less than 1 to 96 years. The four deaths were from California, Hawaii, and New Jersey. Six cases were pregnancy-related, with two ending in fetal … [Read more...]
High Point Dairy Monterey Jack Raw Milk Cheese Recalled For Listeria
The New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets warned consumers not to eat High Point Dairy Monterey Jack raw milk cheese made by High Point Dairy for possible Listeria monocytogenes contamination. The dairy is located at 605 Fiery Hill Road in Fort Plain, New York. No illnesses have been reported to date in connection with this issue. The cheese is packaged in 1/2 pound, 2 pound, and five pound sizes in vacuum sealed clear plastic. The name High Point Dairy Monterey Jack is on the label, along with "aged 60 days," and the make date of 3-6-2020. The consumer alert affects all packages with this code. But, any package with an unknown code date that was purchased after May 12, 2020 shouldn't be eaten. The product was sold at Manor Farm, 5356 St Rt 167, Little Falls, NY 13365; … [Read more...]
Serenity Meadows Raw Milk Tests Positive for Listeria in Cayuga County NY
Serenity Meadows raw milk has tested positive for Listeria monocytogenes bacteria, according to a news release issued by the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets. The dairy is located at 2890 Jorolemon Road in Weedsport, New York. Two lab samples confirmed the presence of Listeria monocytogenes in the unpasteurized milk. This pathogen can cause serious illness, especially for people in high risk groups, including the very young, the elderly, anyone with a compromised immune system, and pregnant women. Officials recommend that anyone who purchased raw milk from that dairy discard it immediately. They are also asking that anyone who purchased that milk call the department at 315-730-9738. No illnesses have been reported to date in connection with this issue. The … [Read more...]
Possible Hepatitis A at LaRoma’s Pizzeria in Rome, New York
An employee tested positive for hepatitis A at LaRoma's Pizzeria in Rome, New York, according to a press release issued by the Oneida County Health Department. The employee "worked while infectious and may have exposed people who were patrons of the shop," according to the press release. The Health Department is also alerting people who ordered take-out food from that venue. That employee worked at the LaRoma's Pizzeria, located at 600 Floyd Avenue in Rome, between April 20, 2020 and May 4, 2020. Since the hepatitis A vaccine is only effective if given within two weeks of exposure, that means that anyone who ate there or ordered take out food on April 27, 2020 must get a vaccination today. Contact the Health Department at 315-798-5747 and press 1 to make an appointment for a … [Read more...]
