A Salmonella outbreak linked to Wonton Foods bean sprouts sickened 115 people in 12 states in 2014. The outbreak, which was declared over in January 2015, was traced back to the Wonton Foods facility. Traceback investigations found that there were five clusters of illnesses initially, in Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Vermont, but the outbreak spread as time went on. Wonton Foods was the only supplier in common of bean sprouts sold to restaurants where ill persons ate before becoming sick. Wonton Foods agreed to clean their facility and destroy any remaining product in their possession. The sprouts are most likely no longer available for purchase or consumption since they have a maximum shelf life of about two weeks. Most of those who were sickened ate at "Asian-style food service … [Read more...]
Wonton Bean Sprouts Salmonella Outbreak Ends
The Salmonella Enteritidis outbreak linked to bean sprouts produced by Wonton Foods is over, according to the CDC. A total of 115 people in 12 states were infected with the outbreak strain of the bacteria. Twenty-five percent of ill persons were hospitalized, and there were no deaths. No recall was ever announced for the contaminated product. The number of persons sickened by state is as follows: Connecticut (8), Maine (4), Maryland (6), Massachusetts (36), Montana (1), New Hampshire (6), New York (22), Ohio (3), Pennsylvania (18), Rhode Island (7), Vermont (3), and Virginia (1). The person in Montana traveled to the eastern U.S. during the time when exposure likely occurred. Illness onset dates ranged from September 30, 2014 to December 15, 2014. The age range for ill persons was … [Read more...]
Wonton Foods Sprouts Salmonella Outbreak Sickens 111
The Salmonella Enteritidis outbreak linked to Wonton Foods bean sprouts has sickened at least 111 people in 12 states. Twenty-six percent of case patients have been hospitalized; there are no deaths. No recall was issued for this product. This outbreak is still ongoing. Investigations by state, local, and federal public health officials indicate that bean sprouts produced by Wonton Foods are the likely source of this outbreak. Officials interviewed 73 ill persons, and found that 48, or 66% of them ate bean sprouts or menu items containing bean sprouts the week before they got sick. Many of the patients ate at restaurants that were supplied with bean sprouts by Wonton Foods. These mung bean sprouts have a shelf life of 12 days, so they are most likely not available for … [Read more...]
Largest Multistate Outbreaks of 2014: #2 Bean Sprouts
A Salmonella outbreak linked to Wonton Foods bean sprouts was the second-largest food poisoning outbreak of the year. The outbreak sickened 111 people in 12 states, 26 percent of those sickened were hospitalized. The sprouts were sold at stores and served at restaurants primarily on the East Coast. When the outbreak was announced November 21, Wonton Foods agreed to destroy any bean sprouts remaining and close its manufacturing facility for cleaning. On November 24, the firm resumed production and began shipping sprouts again November 29. Symptom of a Salmonella infection include fever, diarrhea (which may be bloody), nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. In some cases, the infection can travel to the bloodstream producing more severe illness. Case patients in this outbreak, who … [Read more...]
Bean Sprout Salmonella Outbreak Sickens 111 in 12 States
A bean sprout Salmonella outbreak has sickened 111 people in 12 states, according to the latest update from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Twenty six percent of those who became ill after eating sprouts produced by Wonton Foods Inc. of Brooklyn required hospitalization. The sprouts were sold at stores and served at restaurants on the East Coast. Since the last update on December 4, an additional 24 illnesses have been reported and the outbreak has spread to another state, Maryland. When the outbreak was announced November 21, Wonton Foods agreed to destroy any bean sprouts remaining and close its manufacturing facility for cleaning. On November 24, the firm resumed production and began shipping sprouts again November 29. Salmonella poisoning causes symptoms … [Read more...]
Rare Salmonella Strains in Bean Sprout Outbreak
There are two Salmonella strains involved in the outbreak linked to contaminated bean sprouts that has sickened 87 people in 11 states. And both of them are rare, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). To solve and track this outbreak, public health investigators are using PulseNet, a national subtyping network of public health agencies that is coordinated by CDC. When patients are diagnosed with a foodborne bacterial infection, a DNA "fingerprinting" test, called pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE), is performed on the bacteria and the "fingerprint" is shared on the network. The two strains associated with this outbreak have rarely surfaced on PulseNet, according to the CDC. "On average, less than 10 Salmonella bacteria with these PFGE patterns … [Read more...]
