A Potters Pond Campylobacter outbreak has closed the area, which is used for shellfish harvesting, in Rhode Island after seven people got sick with the bacterial infection, according to the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management and the Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH). Potters Pond is located in South Kingston, Rhode Island. The pond is going to remain closed until further notice. An investigation linked the illnesses to shellfish harvested in the area. A shellfish sample collected by RIDOH tested positive for Campylobacter Iari. The shellfish sample doses not match the illnesses from the investigation, however, the positive shellfish sample does indicate the presence of Campylobacter in the pond. More samples are being collected and tested. Two of the … [Read more...]
Shrimp Salmonella Outbreak Continues With Three More Sickened
The FDA says that the shrimp Salmonella outbreak continues because three more patients have been identified. Now nine people are sick. In addition, two more states, Michigan and Rhode Island, have been added. The outbreak was declared over on July 21, 2021. Avanti Frozen Foods issued a recall for their frozen cooked shrimp on June 25, 2021. The case count by state is now Nevada (4), Michigan (2), Rhode Island (1), and Arizona (2). The last illness onset date is July 20, 2021. In the previous investigation notice, which was on July 21, 2021, the last illness onset date was April 25, 2021. Since the shrimp originally identified as the cause of this outbreak should no longer be available for sale, that means people may still have the shrimp in their home freezers. In addition, at … [Read more...]
Listeria Outbreak in Rhode Island Prompts Warning of Raw Cheese
A Listeria monocytogenes outbreak has sickened two people in Rhode Island, according to the Rhode Island Department of Health. This outbreak has prompted officials to issue a health warning about unpasteurized queso fresco (Mexican cheese). Queso fresco is a type of soft Mexican cheese. All cheeses, including Queso fresco, queso blanco, panela, and asadero-style cheeses are only considered safe when they are marked with a professional label stating that they are "pasteurized" or "made from pasteurized milk." Homemade queso fresco is sometimes made with raw milk. Raw milk can be contaminated with pathogens that can cause serious illness. The pasteurization process kills pathogenic bacteria. The warning especially applies to pregnant women, who can suffer serious complications … [Read more...]
