A cluster of four Shigella illnesses prompted a brief closure of Zov’s restaurant in Irvine Wednesday. Those sickened ate at Zov’s on Portola between September 16-22. During the closure, the staff of Zov's discarded all its fresh produce and ready-to-eat foods and sanitized the restaurant. The staff, which cannot return to work until they are cleared by the health department, was temporarily replaced with employees from other Zov's locations in Orange County. The staff was also given training in proper hand washing as Shigella infections are transmitted when food contaminated with microscopic amounts of feces from an infected person is eaten. Symptoms of a Shigella infection include diarrhea, abdominal cramps and fever lasting five to seven days. Anyone who ate at the restaurant and … [Read more...]
True Food Had Food Safety Problems Before Shigella Outbreak
The Shigella outbreak linked to True Food Kitchen at Fashion Island in Newport Beach, Calif. isn't the first time the restaurant has had food safety problems. A review of restaurant inspection reports from the Orange County Health Department shows that in November 2013 the restaurant was investigated for alleged foodborne illness and has had food safety violations at all inspections since January 2103. During an inspection conducted June 9 2014, health inspectors found violations such as fruit flies, improper food storage and missing tiles in the back of the dish wash area. The missing tiles were noted on the restaurants first inspection posted online in January 2013 and each thereafter. The missing tiles left a porous surface exposed which could be a potential breeding ground for … [Read more...]
Shigella Sickens 158 at Salsarita’s in Walmart Home Office Food Court
A Shigella outbreak at Salsarita's in the Bentonville, Ark. Walmart home office food court has sickened 158, health authorities say. So far, 19 cases of shigellosis have been confirmed and another 139 are probable. The restaurant, operated by Eurest, was temporarily closed for food safety violations including employees not washing their hands, employees touching food with their bare hands and juices from raw chicken dripping onto bottled drinks in the refrigerator. Another inspection is scheduled this week. Shigella bacteria is found in fecal matter. Food related Shigella outbreaks are often caused by food workers who contaminate food by touching it or food preparation surfaces after using the bathroom and not washing hands or not washing them properly. When ingested, Shigella … [Read more...]
Shigella Outbreak Closes Walmart Home Office Restaurant
A Shigella outbreak at Salsarita's, a restaurant in the food court of the Walmart home office in Bentonville, Ark., prompted the restaurant's closure after health inspectors found several food safety violations including employees not washing their hands, touching food with their bare hands and juices from raw chicken dripping on to bottled drinks in the refrigerator. Dozens of Walmart employees became ill after eating at the restaurant last week. Shigella is transmitted when an infected person does not wash hands properly and then touches food or a surface used to prepare food. After it is ingested, the Shigella bacteria causes an infection called shigellosis. Symptoms, which include diarrhea, fever, and stomach cramps, set in one or two days after ingestion and last up to a week. … [Read more...]
Shigella Outbreaks in Texas, South Dakota and Indiana
Shigella outbreaks have been reported in Texas, South Dakota and Indiana. Shigella is a bacteria often found in water contaminated by human feces. Health authorities say people with diarrhea should not got to work, especially if they work with food, and should not go swimming. Hand washing is the best way to prevent the spread of bacteria. “Every person who uses the pool has a responsibility to maintain a healthy swimming environment,” said Indiana State Health Commissioner William VanNess, M.D. “Swimmers should stay out of the pool if ill or recently ill, especially with diarrhea. This includes children wearing swim diapers, as swim diapers are not waterproof.” The Indiana outbreak includes at least five counties: Marion, Hamilton, Hancock, Hendricks and Johnson. Symptoms of a … [Read more...]
Shigella Vaccines In Clinical Trials
Researchers at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) have begun early-stage human clinical trials of two Shigella vaccines. Shigella is a family of bacteria that cause gastrointestinal illness. In the U.S., about 14,000 cases of Shigella infection, called shigellosis, are diagnosed each year but, as many cases go undiagnosed, health officials estimate the actual number is 20 times higher. Worldwide, about 90 million cases of shigellosis are diagnosed each year killing about 108,000 people most of whom are children under five. The disease is especially common in developing countries where hygiene is poor. Many strains are becoming resistant to antibiotics, the most common treatment for shigellosis. Symptoms of shigellosis include diarrhea, which can be bloody, fever, and stomach … [Read more...]
Shigella Outbreak in Columbus Ohio Reaches Ten Year High
A Shigella outbreak in Columbus, Ohio has reached a ten year high, according to a press release from the Columbus Public Health Department. Dr. Teresa Long, Columbus Health Commissioner, said in a statement, "hand-washing and keeping children and adults home when they have diarrhea are the most critical steps to help stop this outbreak. We are seeing many of the cases at childcare centers and other places young children are in close contact during the day. Family members, childcare providers, and playmates are also at risk." To date, 771 cases have been diagnosed and are under investigation. The symptoms of Shigella poisoning include nausea, vomiting, fever, and abdominal cramps. The bacteria mostly affects children under the age of five, but people of all ages can get sick. In some … [Read more...]
Shigella Cases Increase in Douglas County, Nebraska
The Douglas County Health Department has released a statement saying that 50 cases of Shigella sonnei have occurred since May. Four of those patients have been hospitalized. Douglas County includes the city of Omaha. In eight out of the last nine years, that county had 31 or fewer cases. Forty-one percent of the cases occurred in children under the age of five, and 29% were children between the ages of five and nine. Sixty-two percent of the cases have been associated with child care settings. Health Director Dr. Adi Pour said, "hand washing is absolutely critical two controlling any disease that involves diarrhea. It is especially important to wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds after changing diapers or using the bathroom, since it takes only a small … [Read more...]
Shigella Cases Increase in Okaloosa County, Florida
The Okaloosa County Health Department is reporting an increase in cases of Shigella. So far this year, 49 lab confirmed and probable cases have been reported. The county usually averages 3 cases of Shigella a year. The health department has been working with child care centers, community health care providers, living facilities, and the Department of Children and Families to implement prevention and control measures. The Shigella bacteria is very contagious and spreads easily person-to-person. People contract Shigella bacteria by eating or drinking something that has the feces of an infected person. This bacteria usually appears in a cyclical pattern. Peaks of the illness in Florida occurred in 2002/2003 and in 2006/2007. There was an increase in 2011, and the increase this year may … [Read more...]
Onondaga County Shigella Case Count at 69
Kathy Mogel, Program Coordinator for the Onondaga County Health Department told Food Poisoning Bulletin that there are 69 cases of "confirmed or probable" Shigella infections in that county. The cause of the infections is still not known. Shigella is a bacteria that causes symptoms of diarrhea that is often bloody, fever, and stomach cramps. Children under the age of 2 can develop a severe infection with a high fever that causes seizures. One of the problems with this bacteria is that infected people may have no symptoms at all but can pass the bacteria to others. In fact, person-to-person contact and cross-contamination are the main ways this bacteria is transmitted. Public health officials say that anyone with diarrhea should not prepare or handle food or drink served to others. … [Read more...]
