At least 74 people have been sickened in the E. coli O157:H7 outbreak at Federico's Mexican Restaurant in Litchfield Park, Arizona. Twenty-three people are currently hospitalized or were hospitalized and released. No exact food or cause of the outbreak has been pinpointed at this time. The investigation by public health officials is ongoing. Two children have developed hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) as a result of their illnesses. This outbreak is the largest E. coli O157:H7 outbreak in the United States so far this year. The Farm Rich frozen snack foods outbreak from earlier this year, which sickened 35 people in 19 states, was declared over in the spring. The symptoms of an E. coli O157:H7 infection include severe cramps, watery and/or bloody diarrhea, mild fever and possible … [Read more...]
Arizona Federico’s E. coli O157:H7 Outbreak Grows to 68 Sickened
The outbreak of E. coli O157:H7 at Federico's Mexican Restaurant at 13132 W. Camelback in Litchfield Park, Arizona has now sickened at least 68 people. Twenty-three people have been hospitalized and several are experiencing renal failure, according to public health officials. Those people have either eaten at that restaurant or purchased food from the facility. Two children have hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a complication of a Shiga toxin-producing E. coli bacteria (STEC) infection that can cause kidney failure. The Maricopa County Health Department wants anyone who is experiencing the symptoms of an E. coli infection to contact them at 602-747-7500. If you or anyone you know has eaten at this restaurant on or after July 23, 2013 and experienced the symptoms of an E. coli … [Read more...]
Federico’s E. coli O157:H7 Outbreak Grows to 52 Sickened
The outbreak of E. coli O157:H7 apparently linked to Federico's Mexican Restaurant in Litchfield Park, Arizona has grown to include 52 people. Of those, 18 people have been hospitalized. According to ABC 15, Dr. Bob England, director of the Maricopa County Departments of Health (MCDPH), said that a few of the patients have experienced renal failure. In an E. coli O157:H7 infection, renal, or kidney failure is caused by hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a serious complication of this type of food poisoning. The bacteria releases shiga toxins, which enter the bloodstream and attack and kill red blood cells, clogging ducts in the kidneys and shutting them down. Dr. England also said, "it is only this one Federico's establishment where many of the cases have reported eating or purchasing … [Read more...]
What To Do if You Get Food Poisoning From a Restaurant
If you start experiencing the symptoms of food poisoning, what should you do? First of all, the food you just finished eating most likely did not make you sick, which is contrary to what most people believe. Most pathogens, whether bacteria, viruses, or parasites, have an incubation period of at least 12 to 24 hours. Listeria, for instance, can incubate for 70 days before you start experiencing any symptoms. The first step is to go to the doctor. She will run tests, such as a stool sample, and should be able to pinpoint what has made you sick, and can prescribe antibiotics or other medication to make you feel better. If you got sick from restaurant food, there are most likely others who are sick as well. The exact pathogen must be identified. Before an outbreak is declared, the … [Read more...]
Listeria Outbreak: Illinois Restaurants Sold Recalled Crave Brothers Cheese
Two Illinois restaurants served the Crave Brothers soft French cheeses that have been linked to a multistate Listeria outbreak. Girl & The Goat in Chicago, and the Hilton Hotel in Chicago sold the recalled cheese. Anyone who ate Les Frères, Petit Frère, or Petit Frère with Truffles at those restaurants may be at risk for developing listeriosis, a serious disease. Attorney Fred Pritzker, a nationally recognized food safety lawyer, said, "Listeriosis can be a devastating disease that is especially dangerous for the young, the elderly, those with compromised immune systems, and pregnant women. Most people who contract listeriosis are hospitalized and up to 20% of those with the illness die. Anyone who has been sick with the symptoms of listeriosis should see a doctor … [Read more...]
After Salmonella Outbreak, Iguana Joe’s Restaurant Passes Inspection
The Iguana Joe's restaurant at 18319 West Lake Houston Parkway in Humble, Texas has passed inspection after being closed for a Salmonella outbreak in June. No violations were found in the inspection conducted on June 29, 2013, although there is no word on whether or not the restaurant has reopened. But on several occasions earlier in the month, inspections revealed many food safety issues. An inspection on June 21, 2013 found violations of Good Hygienic Practices. On June 22, 2013, 29 demerits were issued; a number above 20 is "of concern", according to the Harris County Public Health and Environmental Services Department. Those violations included cross-contamination of raw and cooked foods and violations of Good Hygienic Practices, as well as failure to rapidly reheat foods safely. … [Read more...]
Sacramento Mulvaney’s Norovirus Outbreak Updated
The outbreak of norovirus at Mulvaney's restaurant in Sacramento we told you about in March has been confirmed and updated. Laura McCasland, Communication & Media Officer of the Sacramento County Department of Health & Human Services told us that 138 people were sickened in this outbreak. The ill persons ate at the restaurant between Friday, February 22 and Tuesday, February 26, 2013. During the week of February 17 to February 24, 2013, at least six food service workers reported that they were ill. People started gettting sick between Friday, February 22, 2013 and Thursday, February 28, 2013. The cause of the illness was norovirus. The restaurant was inspected February 13, 2013 and passed. Public health officials suspect that the foods that are associated with the risk of … [Read more...]
E. coli Outbreak Associated with Coco Loco A&M Restaurant in College Station, TX
The E. coli outbreak that has sickened at least five people in Brazos county, Texas has been linked to ground beef served at the Coco Loco restaurant off George Bush Drive in College Station. We don't know how the ground beef was cooked; if it was served as hamburgers or as part of another dish such as tacos. Officials do not know if improper temperature, improper cooking, or cross-contamination caused the outbreak. The outbreak seems to be isolated to mid-April 2013. Two young brothers developed hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) as a result of their illnesses and were hospitalized for a long time. Ground beef has been linked to many foodborne illness outbreaks in the past several years; E. coli outbreaks are quite common. Why is this food so problematic? The answer lies in how ground … [Read more...]
Billygan’s Roadhouse in Washington Closed After Outbreak
Billygan's Roadhouse in Salmon Creek, Washington was closed Friday when at least 22 customers developed gastroenteritis. According to KOIN Local 6, the Clark County Public Health Department closed the Vancouver-area restaurant for at least 48 hours. Last year, a Salmonella Virchow outbreak closed the On the Border Mexican restaurant in Vancouver when at least 113 people were sickened. County Health Officer Dr. Diana Yu ordered the closure so the restaurant could be cleaned and sanitized. All possibly contaminated food was discarded. Public health officials are making sure that all food safety measures, including hand-washing stations and food handling laws, are being followed. There is no word on if any of the ill individuals required hospitalization. Gastroenteritis is most commonly … [Read more...]
Golden Corral Restaurant in Casper Wyoming Closes to Clean
According to the Casper-Natrona County Health Department, the Golden Corral restaurant closed voluntarily for 24 hours to "thoroughly clean and disinfect" the facility. Corporate management proposed the closing to "help break the transmission chain". The health department states that almost 200 people have reported becoming ill after eating at the restaurant in Casper, Wyoming. Public health officials have been investigating this outbreak, but the results of the laboratory tests won't be available for some time. Officials think norovirus is the culprit in this outbreak. The cases fit the pattern, with an illness duration of 24 to 48 hours and symptoms of vomiting and diarrhea, along with fever and headache. Norovirus is the leading cause of food poisoning in the United States and is … [Read more...]
