The FDA and CDC have announced that they have completed their investigation into two mystery E. coli O157:H7 outbreaks. Here we focus on the investigation into E. coli Outbreak Unknown Source 1. This outbreak is different from Unknown Source 2 and Unknown Source 3. And this outbreak is the number eight multistate outbreak of 2020 in terms of numbers of people sickened. The first completed investigation was into Outbreak Unknown Source 1, which has sickened 32 people in 12 states. The case count by state is: California (10), Illinois (3), Louisiana (1), Maryland (1), Michigan (2), Montana (2), New Jersey (1), Ohio (7), Utah (1), Virginia (1), Washington (1), and Wisconsin (2). Fifteen people were hospitalized because they were so sick, and one person who lived in Michigan died. One … [Read more...]
Barakat Restaurant Salmonella Outbreak in Canada Ends With Dozens Sick
A Barakat Restaurant Salmonella outbreak in Sarnia, Ontario, Canada has ended after sickening dozens of people, according to Lambton Public Health. people were sickened after eating at that restaurant and at the Barakat food truck in Corunna, Ontario, between October 19 and October 29, 2020. The restaurant and food truck have been voluntarily closed since October 30, 2020 while public health officials conducted an investigation. A re-inspection will be conducted when the facilities are ready to re-open. The owners have been cooperating with Lambton Public Health. There are currently 45 laboratory-confirmed Salmonella cases associated with this outbreak. And about 185 other people have reported illness with symptoms that are compatible with salmonellosis after eating at these … [Read more...]
One Of the New E. coli O157:H7 Outbreaks Associated With a Restaurant
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has announced that one of the two new E. coli O157:H7 outbreaks is associated with a restaurant. This deadly outbreak, which has sickened twenty-one people in eight states and killed one person from Michigan, is caused by a pathogen that is closely related to the 2018 E. coli O157:H7 outbreak linked to romaine lettuce that sickened 210 people in 36 states. Patients sickened in this outbreak live in California, Florida, Illinois, Michigan, New Jersey, Ohio, Utah, and Wisconsin. The outbreak notice states, "Several ill people have been identified as part of an illness cluster at a restaurant. An illness cluster is defined as two or more people from different households who report eating at the same restaurant location, attending … [Read more...]
CDC Says There Is a Coronavirus Risk in Eating Out in Restaurants
According to the Centers for Disease Control and PRevention's Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR) for the week of September 11, 2020, there is a coronavirus risk in eating out in restaurants. These are the findings from a case-control investigation of symptomatic outpatients from 11 health care facilities. The researchers found that close contact with people who are infected with the virus or going to locations that offer on-site eating and drinking options were both associated with a COVID-19 positive test. Adults with positive SARS-CoV-2 test results "were approximately twice as likely to have reported dining at a restaurant than were those with negative SARS-CoV-2 test results." The problem is that mask use and social distancing are difficult to maintain when eating … [Read more...]
Gastrointestinal Outbreak at Saigon Vietnam Deli in Seattle
King County Health Department is investigating a gastrointestinal outbreak at Saigon Vietnam Deli, which is located at 1200 South Jackson Street in Seattle, Washington. Eight people are sick with symptoms of diarrhea, vomiting, body aches, headaches, and fevers. The illnesses are associated with a takeout meal from Saigon Vietnam Deli that was eaten on July 25, 2020. Officials have not identified a specific food or drink item that may have caused these illnesses. No specific pathogen has been identified. There are no lab results for people who got sick. Symptoms suggest a bacterial illness. The eight patients ate takeout food together from Saigon Vietnam Deli. Other food was also ordered for takeout from another food establishment, but since only half of the ill people ate the … [Read more...]
Si Casa Flores Salmonella Outbreak in Oregon Hospitalizes Two
A Si Casa Flores Salmonella outbreak in Grants Pass, Oregon has sickened several people and hospitalized two, according to the Facebook page of the Josephine County Public Health Department. The health department did not specifically say how many people may have been sickened. That restaurant is located at 202 North East Beacon Drive in Grants Pass. The health department and Oregon Health Authority are looking for more people who may have been exposed. They are asking anyone who ate at three restaurants that share ingredients from June 25, 2020 to July 7, 2020 to fill out a public health survey. If you ate at one of those venues on those dates, please fill out the survey even if you didn't get sick. Public health officials will use this information to try to narrow down the list of … [Read more...]
Cease and Desist Order Issued to Hawaii’s Malama Meals Restaurant
A cease and desist order has been issued to Hawaii Malama Meals restaurant for multiple food safety issues, according to a news release from the Hawaii Department of Health. The restaurant was preparing and providing meals on O'ahu, Kaua'i, and Molokai. The restaurant is located at 91-100 Farrington Highway Peter Oshiro, chief of the Department of Hawaii Food Safety Brand said n a statement, "The operation had multiple food safety issues as it prepared and packaged hot meals on O‘ahu and shipped them to the neighbor islands without proper temperature controls. Without proper controls, the risk of an outbreak of food illness is high and could have a devastating impact especially on those who are elderly and have underlying conditions." An inspection was conducted at Malama Meals … [Read more...]
Possible Hepatitis A at LaRoma’s Pizzeria in Rome, New York
An employee tested positive for hepatitis A at LaRoma's Pizzeria in Rome, New York, according to a press release issued by the Oneida County Health Department. The employee "worked while infectious and may have exposed people who were patrons of the shop," according to the press release. The Health Department is also alerting people who ordered take-out food from that venue. That employee worked at the LaRoma's Pizzeria, located at 600 Floyd Avenue in Rome, between April 20, 2020 and May 4, 2020. Since the hepatitis A vaccine is only effective if given within two weeks of exposure, that means that anyone who ate there or ordered take out food on April 27, 2020 must get a vaccination today. Contact the Health Department at 315-798-5747 and press 1 to make an appointment for a … [Read more...]
Hepatitis A Outbreak Associated With Señor Moose in Seattle Sickens 3, Hospitalizes 1
A hepatitis A outbreak is associated with the Señor Moose restaurant in Seattle, Washington. At least 3 people are sick; one of those patients is hospitalized, according to a press release issued by King County Public Health. Consumers who allegedly ate at that restaurant have been experiencing jaundice, abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhea, and fever, which are the typical symptoms of this viral illness. That restaurant is located at 5242 Leary Avenue Northwest in Seattle. Public Health started learning of cases on April 15, 2020. Those sickened ate at Señor Moose restaurant on February 24 and February 26, 2020. There is no indication that any current employees of the restaurant are sick with hepatitis A. Public health is contacting former employees to see if any oof them have been … [Read more...]
Do You Know How to Identify Unsafe Restaurant Foods?
Because of the coronavirus pandemic, many restaurants in America are closed. While experts believe this virus isn't transmitted through food, many foods can contain pathogenic bacteria that can make you very sick. Some of those facilities are still offering takeout and delivery service. Do you know how to identify unsafe restaurant foods? After all, restaurants are the most common source of food poisoning outbreaks. Before you order, check out restaurant inspection scores at the health department website in your state or county. Not all states post these inspection results, but many do. Avoid ordering food from any restaurant that has poor inspection results. Always order food that is cooked to a safe final internal temperature. Some foods, including ground meats, chicken, … [Read more...]
