The FDA has released information about the frozen raw ground tuna Salmonella Newport outbreak that has sickened at least 13 people in 7 states. The tuna was sourced from Jensen Tuna, and imported from JK Fish of Vietnam. Jensen Tuna voluntarily recalled this tuna on April 15, 2019. The FDA statement says that it's unlikely the ground tuna was sold directly to consumers in grocery stores. They think that it was used to make food dishes, such as sushi and spicy tuna, by restaurants and retailers. The tuna was sold in Connecticut, Iowa, Illinois, Minnesota, North Dakota, New York, and Washington state. The patients in this outbreak live in Connecticut, Iowa, Illinois, Minnesota, North Dakota, New York, and Washington state. The tuna could have been distributed to other … [Read more...]
Salmonella Newport Outbreak Linked to Frozen Raw Ground Tuna
A Salmonella Newport outbreak linked to frozen raw ground tuna supplied by Jensen Tuna has sickened at least 13 people in 7 states, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Two people have been hospitalized. The case count by state is: Connecticut (1), Iowa (1), Illinois (1), Minnesota (1), New York, (1), North Dakota (4), and Washington (4). Illness onset dates range from January 8, 2019 to March 20, 2019. The patient age range is from 29 to 85 years. Jensen Tuna, based in Houma, Louisiana, has recalled their frozen raw ground tuna, which was imported from JK Fish. The tuna was sold in Connecticut, Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, New York, North Dakota, and Washington, and may have been distributed to other states. Anyone who orders sushi, from a restaurant or … [Read more...]
Deadly E. coli O157:H7 HUS Outbreak Linked to Romaine Reaches North Dakota; Lawyer Explains Why Outbreak May Grow
The deadly E. coli O157:H7 HUS outbreak that is linked to romaine lettuce from the Yuma, Arizona growing region has reached North Dakota. The North Dakota Department of Health (NDDoH) issued a press release that states one person in that state is now part of this outbreak. That brings the number of states with outbreak case patients to 26. A second case in North Dakota may be associated with this outbreak; officials are still investigating. Nationally, more than 120 people are sick in this outbreak. At least 52 people have been hospitalized, and fourteen have been diagnosed with hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). One person, who lived in California, has died. Officials did not say how old the patient from North Dakota is, or where he or she lived. The illness onset date was also … [Read more...]
Preliminary Cause of Cass County ND Jail Outbreak: Clostridium Perfringens
Several news reports state that the North Dakota Department of health has made a preliminary diagnosis about what sickened 110 inmates in the Cass County Jail last month. Clostridium perfringens was most likely the culprit. Stool samples from several inmates revealed the pathogenic bacteria. This bacteria is found on raw meat and poultry. It grows when foods are prepared in large quantities, as in jails, nursing homes, and schools, and that food is kept warm, but not quite warm enough, for long periods of time, or is improperly cooled. This type of outbreak is quite common in large institutions. The outbreak in December 2015 was the second one at the Cass County Jail in the last four years. About 40% of the 282 inmates at the jail were sick with symptoms that included diarrhea … [Read more...]
Salmonella Thompson Outbreak in North Dakota
The North Dakota Department of Health has announced that there is a Salmonella outbreak in that state. Since July 20, twenty-two cases of Salmonella Thompson have been reported. These infections all have the same genetic pattern. That means that the infections probably came from a common source, but officials do not yet know what that is. They don't know if a common food source, drink, or event made these people sick. The bacteria are tested using a procedure called pulsed field-gel electrophoresis (PFGE) and their DNA is mapped, or fingerprinted. When two or more people have infections caused by bacteria with the same genetic pattern, an outbreak is declared. Laura Cronquist, an epidemiologist with the Division of Disease Control said in a statement, "illness may be more severe … [Read more...]
Fifth ND E. coli Case Confirmed at Red River Valley Fair
A fifth case of E. coli infection that may be linked to the Red River Valley Fair in West Fargo, North Dakota has been confirmed by the North Dakota Department of Health. All of the cases are children, all live in eastern North Dakota, and four of the five patients have been hospitalized. The investigation into the cause of the outbreak is ongoing. Anyone who attended the fair and has been sick with the symptoms of an E. coli infection is asked to fill out a survey on the North Dakota Department of Health website, even if you are feeling better. Those symptoms include nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramps, and diarrhea that may be bloody and/or watery. They usually appear within 10 days after exposure. If someone in your household was sick and other are not, also fill out the form; … [Read more...]
North Dakota E. coli Outbreak at Red River Valley Fair
An E. coli outbreak at the Red River Valley Fair in West Fargo is being investigated by the North Dakota Department of Health. Three children, all under the age of 18, are sick with this bacteria. The fair was held July 7 through July 12, 2015. One of the children has been diagnosed with hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a serious complication of a shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) infection. With HUS, red blood cells are damaged by shiga toxins. Those faulty cells then travel to the kidneys and cause damage that can lead to kidney failure. Michelle Feist, an epidemiologist with the Division of Disease Control said in a statement, "we are in the early stages of this investigation and are asking people who become sick with diarrhea or bloody diarrhea for more than 24 hours, within … [Read more...]
Ground Beef E. coli Recall Includes North Dakota Supervalu Stores
Two Supervalu stores in North Dakota are among the retailers affected by the 1.8 million pound ground beef recall associated with an E. coli outbreak that has sickened at least 11 people. The stores are located in Beulah and New Town. Consumers who have purchased beef from these stores since the beginning of April should check the packaging to see if it is part of the recall. The recalled products include all dates between “03 31 14” and “04 18 14” that bear the establishment number “EST. 2574B.” Consumers who have purchased beef that is part of the recall should not eat it as it may be contaminated with E. coli O157:H7 bacteria which can cause serious illness or death. Five people in Michigan, four in Ohio, one person in Massachusetts and one person in Missouri have all been … [Read more...]
