In a rather unusual outbreak, public health officials have identified 24 people in 16 states sickened with Salmonella Typhimurium infections linked to teaching and clinical laboratories. Six of those sickened have been hospitalized. No deaths have been reported. This is the same strain that was associated with infections linked to microbiology lab exposure in 2011 and 2014. This is a pub.ic health problem and a reminder that bacteria used in microbiology laboratories can sicken people who work in those labs. [Editor's note: The first time I was in a microbiology lab the professor warned us against eating or drinking in the room and also walked us through safety steps, including frequent hand washing and the use of gloves, lab coats, and goggles.] In addition, people who live with … [Read more...]
Salmonella Outbreak in Canada Linked to Frozen Raw Chicken Products
The Public Health Agency of Canada has stated that the Salmonella Enteritidis outbreak in that country announced in late June, 2017 has been linked to a recalled frozen chicken product. Twelve people in four different provinces are sick. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) issued a food recall warning for President's Choice brand Pub Recipe Chicken Nuggets in 800 gram packages with a best before date of 2018 MR 15. The product was distributed across the country. The statement says that the risk to Canadians is low. There have been Salmonella outbreaks in the past in the U.S. linked to raw frozen breaded chicken products. In 2015, there were two of these outbreaks in the United States. The first outbreak was linked to Barber raw Chicken Kiev products, sickening 15 people in … [Read more...]
Small Salmonella Outbreak in Marquette County, Michigan
The Marquette County Health Department has issued a press release about a "small Salmonella outbreak among residents." There is no information on the release about the number of people sickened, whether or not anyone has been hospitalized, or if a particular food or restaurant is to blame. In the past Salmonella outbreaks have bene linked to undercooked poultry, undercooked and raw eggs, contaminated greens and other produce, especially hot peppers and herbs. This year, Salmonella outbreaks have been linked to Cilantro Fresh Mexican Grill in New Haven, Connecticut, to backyard poultry flocks, to at least one restaurant in Boston, and to Duffy's Bar and Grill in Osseo, Minnesota. The symptoms of a Salmonella infection include vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal cramps, and a fever. … [Read more...]
Salmonella Outbreak at Cilantro Fresh Mexican Grill in New Haven, CT
A Salmonella outbreak at Cilantro Fresh Mexican Grill at 1158 Whalley Avenue in New Haven, Connecticut is being investigated by the Connecticut Department of Public Health. The restaurant has voluntarily closed while public health officials are looking at the outbreak. The owner is cooperating with the investigation. Officials are asking that anyone who ate at that restaurant during the month of June, 2017, and has been ill with fever, nausea, diarrhea, and/or vomiting should see their doctors. If you are sick with those symptoms, do not prepare food or drinks for others. Wash your hands well with soap and water frequently to prevent spreading the illness. There is no word on how many people have been sickened, or if anyone has been hospitalized. There is also no word on if the … [Read more...]
Salmonella Outbreak in 2016 Linked to Hot Peppers
A multistate outbreak of Salmonella Anatum infections that were linked to imported hot peppers appears in the The Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report for June 30, 2017. This is the first government report on this outbreak. Thirty two people in nine states were sickened in this outbreak that happened during the summer of 2016. The CDC and FDA did not publish anything about this outbreak at the time because government officials couldn't find a source for the outbreak, specifically a common source for the peppers, so consumers couldn't take steps to protect themselves. Epidemiologic, lab, and traceback evidence found that fresh hot peppers were the likely source, but "a single pepper type or source farm could not be identified." Fresh hot peppers and other produce have been the … [Read more...]
Salmonella Outbreak in Canada Linked to Frozen Chicken
The Public Health Agency of Canada is announcing a Salmonella Enteritidis outbreak in that country linked to frozen raw breaded chicken products. Seven people in four provinces are sick as of June 26, 2017. Two people have been hospitalized. There was a similar outbreak in the United States in 2015, linked to frozen Barber frozen Chicken Kiev, a raw stuffed product. The outbreak sickened 15 people in seven states. The Public Health Agency's notice states that "This outbreak is a reminder that frozen raw breaded chicken products contain raw poultry and should be handled and prepared no differently from other raw poultry products. Follow cooking instructions carefully and verify the internal temperature after cooking, as recommended, before consuming these products. Frozen raw breaded … [Read more...]
Salmonella Saintpaul Outbreak in Michigan Sickens 15
A Salmonella saintpaul outbreak has sickened 15 people, according to the Oakland County Health Division in Pontiac, Michigan. The notice states that cases have also been identified in other counties in Michigan, as well as in Ohio and Illinois. The notice from public health officials quotes Dr. Pamela Hackert, chief of medical services at the Health Division, who said, "The ongoing investigation suggests that the Salmonella is being spread through personal contact. Residents are reminded to wash their hands thoroughly before every meal and after using the restroom." But according to Rochester Patch, a popular Mexican restaurant in downtown Rochester has been closed due to "Salmonella concerns." Rojo Mexican Bistro has been temporarily closed "after several diners were recently … [Read more...]
Eight Current Salmonella Outbreaks Are Linked to Backyard Poultry Flocks
The CDC reports that there are eight ongoing multistage outbreaks of Salmonella linked to backyard poultry in the United States. In the June 2017 issue of the CDC's Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, an outbreak advisory discusses the 2017 multistate outbreak of human Salmonella infections linked to live poultry in backyard flocks. Every year Food Poisoning Bulletin has told you about outbreaks linked to backyard poultry. Hundreds of people have been sickened in these types of outbreaks. Chickens, turkeys and ducks can carry pathogenic bacteria that can easily be transmitted to humans. As of May 25, 2017, there are 372 people infected with the outbreak strains of bacteria in 47 states. The serotypes in these outbreaks are Salmonella Braenderup, Salmonella Enteritidis, … [Read more...]
Salmonella Outbreak at Boston Back Bay Sandwich and Cafe Med
Two Boston restaurants have had their permits to operate temporarily suspended after an apparent Salmonella outbreak. Ana Karina Vivas, Media Relations Manager at the Boston Public Health Commission, told Food Poisoning Bulletin that there are eight confirmed cases of Salmonella and no known hospitalizations. Four of the patients ate at Cafe Med, two at Back Bay Sandwich, and two people ate at both facilities. She said that they are working on testing employees to identify the source of the outbreak. Boston public health officials found violations in the way those facilities prepare, handle, and hold food. Back Bay Sandwich at 31 Saint James Avenue had its permit pulled on May 17 and May 18, 2017 for "multiple risk factors." And Cafe Med, also at 31 Saint James Avenue was … [Read more...]
Salmonella Outbreak at Duffy’s Bar and Grill in Osseo, MN
Doug Schultz, Information Officer at the Minnesota Department of Health told Food Poisoning Bulletin that there is a Salmonella outbreak investigation involving Duffy's Bar and Grill in Osseo, Minnesota. Five people have been sickened in this outbreak. The patient age range is from 28 to 80 years told. Two of the patients have been hospitalized because their illnesses were so severe. All of the patients have recovered. Interventions were put into place at the facility, according to Schultz, and there is no evidence of any ongoing transmission, since the last patient who was sickened at there on February 26, 2017. There is no information about what caused the outbreak. The outbreak could have been caused through contaminated food, through cross-contamination, or by an ill … [Read more...]
