The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has confirmed to Food Poisoning Bulletin that the E. coli outbreak in Washington state that is associated with the Matador restaurant also includes patients in three other states. No additional cases have been identified as of Friday, September 16, 2016. Seven people in Washington state are also infected with the same E. coli strain. Lola S. Russell, Senior Health Communications Specialist for the CDC stated, "CDC is assisting the Washington State Department of Health with an investigation related to an E. coli outbreak potentially linked to a Seattle restaurant. Three cases of E. coli with the same DNA fingerprint in three other states (Colorado, Idaho, and New York) are under investigation to determine if they are linked to the … [Read more...]
New York Hard Hit in Dole Listeriosis Outbreak
The state of New York has been hard hit in the Listeria monocytogenes outbreak linked to recalled Dole salad mixes. Four people in that state are sick. At least eighteen people in nine states have been infected with the outbreak strain of Listeria. Whole genome sequencing has been performed on samples from all of these people and the bacteria that sickened them are "highly related" genetically. All eighteen people sickened in this particular outbreak have been hospitalized. One person has died "as a result of listeriosis" according to the CDC. That person lived in Michigan. The most recent illness was diagnosed on January 31, 2016, so it the outbreak numbers may grow. The brand names of the salad mixes include Dole, Fresh Selections, Simple Truth, Marketside, The Little Salad Bar, … [Read more...]
Hepatitis A Outbreak Associated with Ill Worker From Mark’s Pizzeria
Five people have contracted hepatitis A infections in Seneca County, New York after two food workers were diagnosed with the illness in that area in November 2015. One of those workers was at Mark's Pizzeria at 1963 Kingdom Plaza in Waterloo, and the other was at the McDonald's at 2500 Mound Road in Waterloo. County health officials say those sickened did not eat at the restaurants, but were close contacts of the sick employees. The announcement of the sick McDonald's worker was made on November 14, 2015. The announcement of the ill worker at Mark's Pizzeria was made on December 2, 2015. Anyone who consumed cold foods, such as subs, salads, vegetables, lemons, and celery sticks from Mark's Pizzeria on November 19, 2015 through November 28 2015; and people who have had close … [Read more...]
Hepatitis A In Mark’s Pizzeria Worker in Waterloo, NY
The Seneca County Health Department has announced that a food service worker at Mark's Pizzeria at 1963 Kingdom Plaza in Waterloo, New York has been diagnosed with hepatitis A. Anyone who consumed cold foods, such as salads, subs, lemons, celery sticks, and vegetables from the restaurant and who has not been previously vaccinated against the disease should seek treatment. A McDonalds worker was diagnosed with hepatitis A in that area two weeks ago. If you were immunized after that incident, you do not need another shot. People who are at risk for developing hepatitis A ate at Mark's Pizzeria November 13, 2015 through November 28, 2015. If you ate there from November 18th through the 28th, you can get a vaccination against the illness. But if you ate there November 13, 2015 through … [Read more...]
Which Chipotle Restaurants are Part of the E. coli Outbreak?
The E. coli O26 outbreak linked to Chipotle restaurants in six states hasn't been updated in more than 10 days. This outbreak has been strange. The case count grew to include 50 patients, then that number was reduced to 37. Then the case count grew to 45 patients, and four more states were added to the outbreak base. As of November 20, 2015, there are 45 people sickened in six states. The case count per state is: California (2), Minnesota (2), New York (1), Ohio (1), Oregon (13), and Washington state (26). There are no reports of hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), and no deaths. No food or environmental samples have yielded the outbreak strain of the shiga toxin-producing bacteria. But 43, or 96%, of ill patients said they ate at a Chipotle Mexican Grill restaurant the week before they … [Read more...]
Legionnaires’ Disease Outbreak at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Syracuse, NY
A Legionnaires' Disease outbreak at St. Joseph's Hospital Health Center in Syracuse New York has sickened at least two people. While the President and CEO of that facility, Kathryn Ruscitto, has issued statements about the bacteria being found in the hospital's water supply, no official reports have been released acknowledging the outbreak except indirectly. The announcements have not mentioned the illnesses and officials have allegedly denied that there is an outbreak. Governor Cuomo issued a statement on October 25, 2015 announcing that an investigation is being launched after Legionella bacteria were found at the hospital, but that bulletin did not mention any illnesses either. An outbreak is defined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as two or more persons who are not … [Read more...]
One Dead in Morris Park, NY Legionnaires’ Disease Outbreak
One person has died in the Legionnaires' Disease outbreak in Morris Park, Bronx, New York City. Thirteen people have been diagnosed with this illness. Eleven people are hospitalized, and one has been discharged from the hospital. This outbreak was first reported on September 21, 2015. The New York Health Department started investigating, and since Saturday, September 26, 2015, all of the cooling towers in the area had been visited by environmental scientists. All cases have illness onset dates before 9/21/15, and all of the patients have underlying health conditions. People most susceptible to a Legionnaires' Disease infection include anyone over the age of 50, current and former smokers, and anyone who has a chronic lung disease or compromised immune system. So far, 15 cooling … [Read more...]
Onondaga County NY Outbreak Caused by Food Poisoning
A gastrointestinal outbreak at a wedding reception at the Arrowhead Lodge in Onondaga County, New York last summer was caused by food poisoning, according to the New York Health Department. At least 35 people were sickened in July 2015; nine people had to be transported to hospital emergency rooms. Two people had to be hospitalized overnight. Lab tests on patient samples were positive for staphylococcus aura enterotoxin, a compound produced by that bacteria that makes people sick. The toxin can survive the cooking process and it can even grow in a salty medium, such as ham. Foods can be contaminated with Staphylococcus bacteria in several ways. Food workers can contaminate the food, or it can be contaminated during processing or transport. Past Staphylococcus outbreak have been … [Read more...]
Another Legionnaires’ Disease Outbreak in the Bronx Sickens 7
The New York Department of Health and Mental Hygiene is investigating a cluster of Legionnaires' Disease cases in the Morris Park section of the Bronx. This outbreak is not related to the summer outbreak in the South Bronx linked to the Opera House Hotel. Patients live or work in Morris Park. They range in age from 45 to 75 and are all currently in the hospital. No deaths have been reported to date. Health Commissioner Dr. Mary T. Bassett said in a statement, "we are investigating a cluster of seven cases of Legionnaires' Disease in Morris Park. I urge all New Yorkers to seek care immediately if they have flu-like symptoms, including fever, cough, headache, or difficulty breathing. The Department is taking immediate steps to determine the source and protect the people who live and … [Read more...]
