The number one outbreak of 2023 is the deadly cantaloupe Salmonella outbreak that has sickened at least 302 people in 42 states in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Four people are dead; one lived in Oregon and three lived in Minnesota. The cantaloupes were imported from Mexico by Sofia Produce doing business as Trufresh. The case count by state as of December 15, 2023 is: Alaska (1), Arkansas (1), Arizona (14), California (14), Colorado (9), Connecticut (2), Florida (1), Georgia (6), Iowa (8), Illinois (18), Indiana (7), Kansas (2), Kentucky (8), Massachusetts (2), Maryland (6), Michigan (6), Minnesota (26), Missouri (15), Mississippi (1), Montana (2), North Carolina (6), Nebraska (7), New Hampshire (1), New Jersey (6), New Mexico … [Read more...]
Number 5 Outbreak of 2023: ShopRite Ground Beef Salmonella
The number five outbreak of 2023 is the ShopRite ground beef Salmonella outbreak that sickened at least 18 people in four states. While traceback didn't identify a common source for the ground beef, most people bought the meat at ShopRite stores in the northeastern United States. The case count by state is: Connecticut (1), Massachusetts (1), New Jersey (11), and New York (5). The patient age range is from 0 to 97 years. Illness onset dates ranged from April 27, 2023 through July 6, 2023. Seven people were hospitalized because they were so sick. Patient isolates were tested with whole genome sequencing were found to be closely related genetically, which means the people likely got sick from eating the same food. Investigators found the outbreak strain of Salmonella in a routine … [Read more...]
Top 10 Outbreaks Of 2023: #10 Ice Cream House Listeria
It's time for the Top 10 Outbreaks of 2023. Number 10 is the Ice Cream House Listeria Monocytogenes outbreak that took place in the summer of 2023. It sickened at least two people; one lives in New York, the other in Pennsylvania. Both patients were hospitalized. The median age in this outbreak was 77 years. People over the age of 65 are much more likely to suffer serious complications from a Listeria monocytogenes infection. In fact, one of the patients lived in a long term care facility where they were likely served this product. The other patient ought "Soft Serve on the Go" ice cream cups from a grocery store. Whole genome sequencing showed that the bacteria from patient isolates were closely related genetically. This means that they likely got sick from eating the same … [Read more...]
Deadly Salmonella Cantaloupe Outbreak Sickens 302 in 42 States
The deadly Salmonella cantaloupe outbreak has now sickened at least 302 people in 42 states, with 129 hospitalized, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). That's an increase of 72 more patients, 33 new hospitalizations, and four new states since the last update a week ago. And one more person, who lived in Minnesota, has died. The case count by state is: Alaska (1), Arkansas (1), Arizona (14), California (14), Colorado (9), Connecticut (2), Florida (1), Georgia (6), Iowa (8), Illinois (18), Indiana (7), Kansas (2), Kentucky (8), Massachusetts (2), Maryland (6), Michigan (6), Minnesota (26), Missouri (15), Mississippi (1), Montana (2), North Carolina (6), Nebraska (7), New Hampshire (1), New Jersey (6), New Mexico (2), Nevada (5), New York (10), Ohio (13), … [Read more...]
Now 64 Children Sick With Lead Poisoning in WanaBana Outbreak
There are now at least 64 children sick with lead poisoning in WanaBana outbreak, according to the FDA. All of these patients are under the age of six. They live in 27 states. The patient case count by state is: Alabama (1), Arkansas (1), California (1), Connecticut (1), Florida (1), Georgia (2), Iowa (1), Illinois (3), Kentucky (3), Louisiana (4), Massachusetts (3), Maryland (6), Michigan (3), Missouri (1), North Carolina (5), Nebraska (2), New Hampshire (1), New Mexico (1), New York (8), Ohio (3), Pennsylvania (1), South Carolina (2), Tennessee (1), Texas (3), Virginia (2), Washington (3), and Wisconsin (1). The report date ranges are from October 17, 2023 through December 1, 2023. There is a lag in the time frame from when children first start experiencing the symptoms of lead … [Read more...]
Lead Contaminated Cinnamon in WanaBana Fruit Puree Pouches
Lead contaminated cinnamon in WanaBana apple cinnamon fruit puree pouches is the most likely cause of lead poisoning cases in children, according to the FDA. There are at least 57 children in 26 states who are likely sick with acute lead poisoning. That is an increase of five more cases since the last update that was issued on November 22, 2023. The case count by state is: Alabama (1), Arkansas (1), California (1), Connecticut (1), Florida (1), Georgia (2) Iowa (1), Illinois (2), Kentucky (3), Louisiana (4), Massachusetts (3), Maryland (4), Michigan (3), Missouri (1), North Carolina (5), Nebraska (1), New Hampshire (1), New Mexico (1), New York (8), Ohio (2), Pennsylvania (1), South Carolina (2), Tennessee (1), Texas (3) Virginia (1), and Washington (3). The children are less than … [Read more...]
Now 52 Kids Sick with Wanabana Applesauce Lead Poisoning
There are now 52 kids sick with Wanabana Applesauce lead poisoning, according to the FDA. That is an increase of 18 more cases in the last five days. And the government says that recalled WanaBana Apple Cinnamon Puree is still on the shelves at several Dollar Tree stores in "multiple states." This product should not be for sale and consumers should not buy this product. As of November 22, 2023, there are 52 reports of adverse events submitted to the FDA that are potentially linked to this recalled product. And the FDA says there are still incoming adverse event reports. The case count by state is: Alabama (1), Arkansas (1), California (1), Connecticut (1), Florida (1), Georgia (2) Iowa (1), Illinois (2), Kentucky (2), Louisiana (4), Massachusetts (2), Maryland (3), Michigan (3), … [Read more...]
May Be 22 Lead Poisoning Cases in WanaBana Applesauce Recall
There are may be 22 lead poisoning cases in the WanaBana applesauce recall issue, according to the FDA. This is an increase of 15 more cases since the last update last week. The FDA and state partners are collecting and analyzing more produce samples of fruit puree and applesauce pouches. So far, the FDA has found no problems with any non-recalled products. The case count by state is: Alabama (12), Arkansas (1), Louisiana (2), Maryland (1), Missouri (1), North Carolina (5), New Mexico (1), New York (2), Ohio (1), Pennsylvania (1), South Carolina (2), Tennessee (1), Texas (1), Washington (1), and unknown (1). The illness report date ranges are from October 17, 2023 to November 7, 2023. We do not know the patient age ranges, although the initial report from North Carolina indicated … [Read more...]
Ice Cream House Listeria Monocytogenes Outbreak Ends
The Ice Cream House Listeria monocytogenes outbreak has ended with two people sick, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Both patients were hospitalized. One patient lives in New York, and the other lives in Pennsylvania. Epidemiologic, laboratory, and traceback evidence showed that ice cream made by The Ice Cream House, located in Brooklyn, New York, made people sick. One patient ate "Soft Serve on the Go" ice cream cups, and the other person likely ate the same ice cream cup at a long term care facility where they lived. The median age of the patients is 77. The outbreak strain of Listeria monocytogenes was found in those cups, in a mini dessert cigar novelty ice cream product, and in several environmental samples taken from two Ice Cream House … [Read more...]
Cocco’s Candy Rolling Candy Recalled For Choking; One Death
Cocco's Candy Rolling Candy is being recalled for being a choking hazard. One death has been reported to the company to date. To eat the candy, you lick the rolling ball to get flavored liquid in your mouth. The candy's rolling ball can dislodge from the product into a child's mouth, which can cause choking. The recalling firms are Asaf Gida doing business as Cocco Candy of Turkey, and KGR Distribution Group of Passaic, New Jersey. About 145,800 of these products in various flavors are included in this recall. You can see pictures of the recalled products at the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) web site. CPSC has received one report of a 7-year-old girl who choked and died after the candy's rolling ball dislodged. This happened in New York in April 2023. The candy was … [Read more...]
