Cases of E. coli and Cryptosporidium increased this summer in two counties in Michigan, according to the Health Department. Jennifer Morse, medical director of three regional health departments in that state said in a statement, “These increases are concerning because the resulting illness can be life-threatening. With the investigations that have been completed thus far, the … Read more
The E. coli outbreak in Washington County, Oregon that may be related to livestock at the Washington County fair is a reminder to all that attending county and state fairs can be dangerous. Officials are investigating “several” illnesses that occurred after those sickened attended the fair. In the past few years, there have been E. … Read more
Foodborne illness increases during summer months and outbreaks are often linked to fairs and festivals. To help everyone safely enjoy their time at the fair, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has compiled some food safety tips. One of the biggest things to keep in mind, according to the agency, is that food … Read more
It’s a special state fair edition of The Neews, our monthly feature of food stories that put the eew in news. This month, we’re ditching our standard fare of gross food stories for fair fare and a good cause. Mandy Colten of St. Paul, Minnesota pledged to eat everything served on a stick at the … Read more
Three food vendors were shut down by health inspectors after officials discovered that “hundreds of pounds of food” had not been properly refrigerated for several days. Bacteria grow readily in certain foods at temperatures between 40 and 140°F; in fact, if the food is warm enough, bacterial counts can double every 20 minutes. More violations … Read more
Several people are sick with E. coli after attending the Oklahoma Youth Expo in Oklahoma City, OK the week of March 12 – 20, 2014, according to news reports. Several children are hospitalized, and at least one child is in intensive care as a result of the illness. Others have been treated at the hospital … Read more
The Cleveland County Health Department in North Carolina is investigating four cases of E. coli poisoning. Health officials say the outbreak may be linked to the Cleveland County Fair. Two of the three patients visited the fair before becoming ill. One of the patients, a 12-year-old boy, milked a cow in the fair’s petting zoo … Read more
Two strains of swine flu have sickened visitors to the Minnesota State Fair, according to the Minnesota Department of Health. Four cases of H1N2v were reported after the patients exhibited pigs or spent time in the swine barn at the Fair. Two new presumptive cases of the H3N2v flu have occurred: one a school-aged girl … Read more