The Oklahoma E. coli O157:H7 outbreak, which is part of the national outbreak the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced yesterday, is the second highest in the nation with five out of sixteen total sick. Officials are concerned about this outbreak because of fast growth and a high hospitalization rate of 56%. That is much higher than the typical 30% hospitalization rate for the average E. coli O157:H7 outbreak. In addition, three people have been diagnosed with hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), which is a type of kidney failure. That rate of 19% is also much higher than the average 4% rate of HUS development in E. coli outbreaks. The CDC is warning people that if they have severe symptoms of a Shiga toxin-producing E. coli outbreak they should immediately … [Read more...]
New Deadly E. coli Outbreak Causing Severe Illnesses and Hospitalizations
A new deadly E. coli outbreak has been announced by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). As of February 1, 2021, 16 people in five states are sick with E. coli O157:H7 infections. The investigation notice states that "CDC is concerned about the growing number of severe illnesses and hospitalizations in this outbreak. If you have E. coli symptoms, talk to your healthcare provider and report your illness to your local health department." The states where people are sick are Washington (2), Oklahoma (5), Arkansas (6), Virginia (2), and New York (1). Illness onset dates range from December 23, 2020 to January 7, 2021. Recent illnesses may not yet be reported since it can take two to four weeks to link illnesses to an outbreak. The patient age range is from 10 to 95 … [Read more...]
Swan Bros. Raw Milk Campylobacter Outbreak Sickens 10 in Oklahoma
A raw milk Campylobacter outbreak in Oklahoma that has sickened ten people is linked to Swan Bros. Dairy, which is located in Claremore. The dairy is recalling its raw milk products, according to the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food, and Forestry. Officials found Campylobacter jejuni in the products. The recalled items are: raw whole milk, raw 2% milk, raw skim milk, and raw heavy cream. They were sold in plastic half-gallons, gallon, and pints directly from the dairy. The milk was sold between April 9, 2020, and June 22, 2020. Raw milk has not been pasteurized, which is a process of briefly heating the milk to destroy pathogens. Because a cow's udders are so close to her anus, milk can be contaminated with many different pathogens, including Campylobacter, E. coli, … [Read more...]
Oklahoma Among States Hit by Sweetwater Sprouts Salmonella Lawsuit
There are at least three people sick in Oklahoma with Salmonella Muenchen infections linked to raw sprouts produced by Sweetwater Farms. Five people total in this outbreak have bene hospitalized; no deaths have been reported. Sweetwater Farms, located in Inman, Kansas has been tested. Investigators found Salmonella in samples of irrigation water and in sprouts collected during an inspection at that facility. Testing is underway to determine the type and DNA fingerprint of Salmonella isolated from these samples. Alfalfa sprouts produced by Sweetwater Farms are not safe to eat because they may be contaminated with Salmonella bacteria. There has been a recall attached to this outbreak; all of the company's sprout products have been recalled from the market as of February 26, … [Read more...]
Salmonella Outbreak in KS and OK Associated with Sprouts
The Kansas Department of health and Environment is reporting that a Salmonella outbreak that has sickened eight people in two states is associated with sprouts grown at Sweetwater Farms in Inman, Kansas. Five people in Kansas and three people in Oklahoma are sick. The KDHE, the FDA, the CDC, the Oklahoma Department of Health, and the Kansas Department of Agriculture have been working together on this outbreak. The last date of illness onset was in late January in a man from Kansas. Three Oklahoma cases have been matched to the outbreak strain of Salmonella. Public health officials have inspected Sweetwater Farms and found samples of irrigation water and products that have tested positive for Salmonella, although the exact strain of the pathogenic bacteria has not been identified. Lab … [Read more...]
CDC Investigating Another E. coli Outbreak at Chipotle in OK, KS
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported today that they are investigating another E. coli outbreak linked to Chipotle Mexican Grill restaurants. This new outbreak is a different strain of E. coli O26 bacteria from the older outbreak. That ongoing, older outbreak of E. coli O26 linked to those restaurants has sickened at least 53 people in 9 states. One more ill person who is part of the older outbreak has been reported from Pennsylvania since the last update. But that person did not eat at Chipotle the week before November 14, 2015, when the illness started. In the older outbreak, 20 ill persons (38%) have been hospitalized. The case count by state in that outbreak is: California (3), Illinois (1), Maryland (1), Minnesota (2), New York (1), Ohio (3), Oregon (13), … [Read more...]
One in Oklahoma Sick: Barber Foods Raw Chicken Salmonella Outbreak Grows
The Salmonella outbreak linked to Barber Foods raw, frozen stuffed breaded chicken products has grown to include another patient. This person lives in Oklahoma, which increases the outbreak case count to three states. Now at least seven people are sick with Salmonella Enteritidis linked to these products. The case count by state is: Minnesota (5), Wisconsin (1), and Oklahoma (1). Two of these people have been hospitalized. No deaths are reported. Illness onset dates range from April 5, 2015 to June 23, 2015. A public health alert was issued on July 1, 2015 about a Salmonella outbreak associated with raw, frozen, breaded and pre-browned, stuffed chicken products. Then, Barber Foods recalled 1.7 million pounds of their frozen chicken products on July 12, 2015. The products were … [Read more...]
Oklahoma E. Coli Outbreak Investigated
Dr. Lauri Smithee, Acute Disease Service Director of the Oklahoma State Department of Health, spoke to Food Poisoning Bulletin and confirmed that an E. coli outbreak is associated with the Oklahoma Youth Expo held at the Oklahoma state fairgrounds in March 2014. Twelve people are sick, in various stages of confirmation. Four people have been confirmed ill with E. coli infections through lab tests. Two children are sick with hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) and are hospitalized. One is two years old; the other is eight. The investigation is still broad. Initial cases were reported following a livestock show, but more recent patients said they have had animal contact, but not at that particular show. Right now investigators are concentrating on case control studies and PFGE matches to … [Read more...]
E. coli Outbreak at Oklahoma Youth Expo
Several people are sick with E. coli after attending the Oklahoma Youth Expo in Oklahoma City, OK the week of March 12 - 20, 2014, according to news reports. Several children are hospitalized, and at least one child is in intensive care as a result of the illness. Others have been treated at the hospital and released. The Oklahoma State Department of Health has confirmed through lab tests that the illnesses are caused by the E. coli bacteria. Public health officials are investigating to try to determine the source of the bacteria. The bacteria that causes these types of illness are found in the intestinal trays of ruminant animals, such as cows, sheep, and goats. Livestock and food trucks present at the event are also being checked out for any problems. Attorney Fred Pritzker has … [Read more...]
Is Oklahoma Yea or Neigh On Horse Meat?
Three arrests have been made in the food fraud scandal that has gripped Europe since horse meat was detected in burgers and frozen lasagne. The men who work at Farmbox Meats near Aberystywth and Peter Boddy Slaughterhouse in Todmorden, West Yorkshire, will be interviewed by investigators from the Food Standards Agency. Operations at those plants have been suspended while the investigation proceeds. Meanwhile, in the United States, two bills have been introduced in the Oklahoma Legislature, one authored by Rep. (R) Skye McNeil (HB1999) that would make processing but not eating horse meat legal in the state, the other authored by Sen. Mark Allen (SB375) that would make eating horse meat legal. This week, Sen. Allen's bill unanimously passed the Senate Agriculture and Rural Development … [Read more...]
