The CDC says that seven pathogens cause 9.9 million illnesses every year in the United States. This estimate is used to allocate resources and prioritize interventions. The seven pathogens are Campylobacter, Clostridium perfringens, invasive Listeria monocytogenes, norovirus, Salmonella, Toxoplasma gondii, and Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC). And those illnesses cause about 53,000 hospitalizations and 931 deaths. Norovirus caused the most illnesses, followed by Campylobacter, and Salmonella. Salmonella infections were the leading cause of death, with 238 every year, followed by Campylobacter with 197 deaths and norovirus with 174. The issue with this estimate is that public health reports are limited because not all people sickened by those pathogens seek medical care and … [Read more...]
Meadow View Jerseys Raw Milk Recalled in PA For E. coli
Meadow View Jerseys raw milk is being recalled in Pennsylvania for Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC), according to the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture. The raw milk was sold between August 5 and August 12, 2024 and has a sell by date of August 19, 2024. Routine testing for pathogens confirmed that the milk was contaminated. The recall notice did not mention whether or not any illnesses have been reported to date. The milk was sold in Berks, Dauphin, Lancaster, and Lebanon county stores. It was sold in plastic gallon, plastic and glass half gallon, plastic quart, and plastic pine containers. It was sold from the farm's store in Leola and a number of retail stores in south central Pennsylvania. The Meadow View Jerseys raw milk was sold at these locations in … [Read more...]
Raw Farm Raw Milk Salmonella E. coli Outbreak Sickens 165
A Raw Farm raw milk Salmonella, STEC E. coli, and Campylobacter outbreak has sickened at least 165 people in four states, according to the California Division of Communicable Disease Control. This outbreak was not publicized when it happened. The other three states have not been named. According to the preliminary results as of February 2, 204, there are 165 people sick in four states. In California, there are 162 cases in 27 local health jurisdictions. There are four multiple pathogen combinations that have sickened these patients: Salmonella Typhimurium, Campylobacter, and/or Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC). Twenty people have been hospitalized. No deaths have been reported. The patient age range is from less than one year to 87 years. And illness onset dates range from … [Read more...]
West Seattle PCC Community Markets E. coli Outbreak Alleged
An alleged West Seattle PCC Community Markets E. coli outbreak has sickened at least five people, according to Public Health - Seattle & King County. One person has been hospitalized. That facility is located at 2749 California Avenue SW in Seattle, Washington. The strain of E. coli that is allegedly making people sick is Shiga toxin-producing E. coli O157:H7 (STEC). This pathogen produces Shiga toxins, which can travel through the bloodstream destroying red blood cells. If enough damaged red blood cells reach the kidney, they can clog small tubes in that organ called glomeruli and can cause kidney damage and failure, which is known as hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). The illness onset date range is from February 14, 2024 to February 28, 2024. The date that the suspected … [Read more...]
Raw Milk E. coli Outbreak Sickens Two In Washington State
A raw milk E. coli outbreak has sickened at least two people in Washington state, according to the Washington State Department of Health. The patients got sick in mid-January and early February 2024. The patients were sickened with the same, highly related strain of Shiga toxin-producing E coli (STEC) bacteria. Both patients drank raw, or unpasteurized, milk, produced by Cozy Vale Creamery in Tenino, Washington, shortly before getting sick. The patients live in two counties: Grays Harbor and Pierce. On February 16, 2024, Cozy Vale Creamery recalled their raw milk and cream because of STEC contamination. The STEC bacteria in the milk was a different strain than the one that caused the two recent illnesses. At this time, there are no known illnesses associated with the strain found in … [Read more...]
PA Ag Department Searches Amos Miller Farm After illnesses
The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture has searched the Amos Miller farm in Upper Leacock Township after illnesses were reported when people allegedly consumed raw dairy products from that facility, according to news reports. The search took place on Thursday, January 4, 2023. Mr. Miller has been in litigation with the federal government for years because of alleged violations in food safety guidelines and food and meat inspection. Last year a consent decree was filed against the farm for allegedly avoiding USDA inspections and selling uninspected, misbranded meat. At that time the company was permanently enjoined, and, "Miller’s acknowledges that it has violated the injunction and agrees to pay fines for denying access to inspectors, and will either adhere to procedures for … [Read more...]
Miguel’s Cocina 4S Ranch E. coli Outbreak Sickens 13 in San Diego
A Miguel's Cocina 4S Ranch E. coli outbreak has sickened at least 13 people in San Diego, California, according to the County of San Diego Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA) officials. That restaurant is located at 10514 Craftsman Way in San Diego. The pathogen that caused those illnesses is a Shiga toxin-producing E. coli strain (STEC). That means the bacteria produce a toxin called Shiga toxin that damages red blood cells and can cause kidney failure. The County Health Department of Environmental Health and the county's Epidemiology team are investigating the outbreak. The patient age range is from 6 to 87 years old. Seven people have been hospitalized. At least one person has developed hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), which is a type of kidney failure. Those patients … [Read more...]
Huntley High School E. coli Outbreak Sickens Six Students in Illinois
A confirmed Huntley High School E. coli outbreak has sickened at least six students in that school in Illinois, according to the McHenry County Department of Health. The Huntley Community School District 158 is working with the health department to respond to the Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) outbreak. That school is located at 13719 Harmony Road in Huntley. The first illness was identified on Sunday, September 17, 2023. At this time, officials do not know the source of the illnesses. The county is actively monitoring for potential cases, since E. coli is a reportable condition, and there are no other known cases in McHenry County outside of the school outbreak. School officials sent a letter to parents, students, and staff, telling them that they are taking the situation … [Read more...]
U of Arkansas E. coli Outbreak Not Linked to Public Dining Facilities
The University of Arkansas E. coli outbreak is most likely not linked to the University's public dining facilities, according to the Arkansas Department of Health. Officials are still investigating the outbreak, which has sickened about 100 students and has hospitalized four. That department has gathered and is analyzing survey data from more than 3,200 people to try to solve the outbreak. Officials do say, however, that it is "challenging" to try to identify E. coli cases without severe symptoms. Anyone who is cooking for themselves should protect themselves by cooking meats thoroughly and avoid cross-contamination between raw meats and foods that are eaten uncooked. It's also important to wash fruits and vegetables well before consumption, and avoid consuming unpasteurized … [Read more...]
About 100 Sickened in E. coli Outbreak at University of Arkansas
According to Dr. Naveen Patil, Deputy State Health Officer for the Arkansas Department of Health, there are about 100 people sickened in an E. coli outbreak at the University of Arkansas, and four people have been hospitalized. A press conference was published on the University of Arkansas Pat Walker Health Center web site. Dr. Patil said the Department was notified that some University students had been hospitalized, and they started investigating. He said, "Having so many cases within a short period of time is concerning." He said that it appears that all of the hospitalized patients and those sickened are connected to the University in some way. The number changes every day, and more people could be hospitalized. He added that some of those who have been hospitalized have been … [Read more...]
