A Blue Ridge Rock Festival outbreak has sickened concertgoers in Virginia, according to the Virginia Department of Health and news reports. Public health officials are asking that anyone who attended that event, which was supposed to be held September 5 through September 10, 2023, to complete an online survey, even if they didn't get sick, to help them solve this outbreak. The Southside Health District of the Virginia Department of Health is leading the investigation. The festival was canceled two days early, allegedly because of weather conditions. It was held at the Virginia International Raceway located at 1245 Pine Tree Road in Alton, Virginia. 10 News got "hundreds of messages" about the festival from patrons who said that there were unsanitary and unsafe conditions at the … [Read more...]
Belgrade Fall Festival Outbreak in Bozeman, Montana Sickens 200
A Belgrade Fall Festival outbreak in Bozeman, Montana has allegedly sickened at least 200 people, according to the Gallatin City-County Health Department and news reports. The Festival was held at the Belgrade Senior Center. According to the Gallatin City-County Health Department Facebook page, beef brisket served at the festival on September 16, 2023 is suspected as the source of these illnesses. All but one of those sickened ate the brisket. Officials do not know what pathogen caused this illness. Event coordinators are cooperating with the health department in its investigation of this outbreak. According to NBC Montana, the beef brisket is a tradition at that festival. The Belgrade Chamber of Commerce smokes the beef overnight before the day of the festival and serves the meat … [Read more...]
Tacos El Guero Food Truck Outbreak in WA Sickens 34
A Tacos El Guero food truck outbreak in Kirkland, Washington has sickened at least 34 people, according to the Seattle King County Health Department. Officials do not yet know the exact food or drink that caused these illnesses. The outbreak is associated with a private event that was catered by a Tacos El Guero food truck on September 14, 2023. No patients were hospitalized. The 34 patients developed one or more symptoms that are consistent with a bacterial toxin infection, including abdominal cramps, nausea, and diarrhea. Illness onset dates range from September 14, 2023 to September 15, 2023. In the news release about the outbreak, information about Bacillus cereus and Clostridium perfringens, two pathogens that cause symptoms quickly after infection, was provided. The exact … [Read more...]
Alleged Kumo Sushi Bacillus Cereus Outbreak in NY Sickens 28
An alleged Kumo Sushi Bacillus cereus outbreak in Stony Brook, New York has sickened dozens of patrons, according to news reports. People got sick on Saturday, September 9, 2023. The Suffolk County Department of Public Health believes that rice is the culprit. At least 28 people were sick and some were hospitalized. The Kumo Sushi & Steakhouse restaurant, also known as Kumo Japanese Steakhouse, is located at 2548 Nesconset Highway in Stony Brook. Known as "fried rice syndrome," when rice is not properly stored after being cooked, Bacillus cereus can grow. And the symptoms of a Bacillus cereus food poisoning infection can happen just hours after people eat the rice. The Suffolk County Police Department and local fire departments went to the restaurant after people called, … [Read more...]
Deadly Dave’s Sushi Morel Mushroom Outbreak Ends With 51 Sick
The deadly Dave's Sushi morel mushrooms outbreak has ended with 51 people sick, according to the FDA, although the Gallatin City-County Health Department and the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services are conducting follow-up activities. The FDA said that there does not appear to be any further risk to the public. That is an increase of one more patient since the last update on May 18, 2023. There were two deaths in this outbreak. Toxicology reports and autopsy reports have not been released. Three people were hospitalized because they were so sick. The last illness onset date was April 21, 2023. Symptoms included abdominal pain, nausea, diarrhea, and/or vomiting. The mushrooms sampled from the restaurant were true morels, not "false morels," which are toxic. … [Read more...]
Which Restaurant Chains Like Applebee’s Have Had Outbreaks?
Which restaurant chains like Applebee's have had outbreaks? More than you'd think, including Wendy's, McDonald's, and Jimmy John's. Just because a restaurant is famous or popular doesn't mean they don't serve contaminated food. Every year there are hundreds of outbreaks associated with restaurants, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). During the time frame from 2017 to 2019, 800 outbreaks associated with 875 retail food establishments were reported to NEARS, the National Environmental Assessment Reporting System that was set up to compliment surveillance. The most common pathogens were norovirus and Salmonella. About 40% of those outbreaks had at least one reported factor associated with contamination by a sick or infectious food worker. Contaminated … [Read more...]
Fireside Grille Caters a Wedding, 51 Guests Get Sick
The Fireside Grille caters a wedding in Altoona, Iowa, and 51 guests got sick the next day, according to news reports. Lindsey Graham-Humphreys, the bride, told the Des Moines Register that her guests got sick after eating food served by that restaurant. The Fireside Grill is located at 523 8th Street SouthEast in Altoona. Some of the guests were sick with symptoms of food poisoning for more than two days. Symptoms were not described, and there is no information about whether or not anyone was hospitalized. The bride contacted the establishment and was not satisfied with the answers. An inspection at that establishment was conducted on June 12, 2023, which was allegedly days before the wedding. And some significant violations were found. This is a screen shot of the inspection … [Read more...]
FDA Releases Morel Advisory After Dave’s Sushi Illnesses
The FDA releases Morel advisory after illnesses among patrons of Dave's Sushi in Bozeman, Montana. At least 50 people were sickened, and two customers died after eating at that establishment, although the manner of death has not been established. Morel mushrooms are most often foraged from the wild. While morel mushrooms are generally regarded as safe to eat, they may contain toxins that can cause health problems. The advisory states that the toxins that can cause illness are not fully understood. Cooking the mushrooms properly can reduce toxin levels, but the FDA says that people should eat morel and other wild-type mushrooms at their own risk. As of May 19, 2023, the outbreak at Dave's Sushi has sickened 50 people who ate at the restaurant between March 28 and April 27, 2023. … [Read more...]
Dave’s Sushi Outbreak Remains Unsolved; Restaurant Reopens
The Dave's Sushi outbreak in Bozeman, Montana remains unsolved and the restaurant has opened because the Gallatin City-County Health Department has rescinded the closure order. A new health officer order has been issued, with corrective actions required before reopening. As of May 17, 2023, there are 50 people sick; an increase of nine more cases since the last update a week ago. Two people have died after eating at the restaurant, although those deaths are being investigated and the manner and causes of the deaths are pending until autopsy results are available. Food samples, including salmon and morel mushrooms, which were suspected in this outbreak, have been collected and analyzed. All samples have come back negative for a series of pathogens and toxins. The Gallatin … [Read more...]
Food Poisoning Outbreak Associated with Tamarind Tree in WA
A food poisoning outbreak is associated with the Tamarind Tree Restaurant that is located at 1036 South Jackson Street A in Seattle, Washington, according to King County Public Health. At least 10 people are sick, and no one has been hospitalized. People who were sickened ate at that restaurant on January 15 and 16, 2023. The ten patients are from three different meal parties. No ill employees have been identified. The patients have been experiencing vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain and cramps, fever, and chills. Those are typical symptoms of food poisoning that can be attributed to may pathogens, including norovirus, Salmonella, and E. coli. No pathogen has been identified yet. A routine inspection was conducted on January 18, 2023. Investigators observed several risk … [Read more...]
