An E. coli O157 outbreak in the Knoxville, Tennessee area has sickened several children and has hospitalized four. Most of the children are "known to have consumed raw milk from a local cow-share dairy," according to a media release issued by the Knox County Health Department (KCHD). Because of this outbreak, KCHD is advising the public not to consume any raw milk or any other unpasteurized products from French Broad Farm in Knoxville, Tennessee at this time. Public health officials are also recommending that consumers discard all raw milk and any unpasteurized products they may have purchased from this farm. It's a good idea to clean your fridge well with a mild bleach solution after you discard the raw milk. The farm is not currently operating, so any further exposure to farm … [Read more...]
E. coli O157 Outbreak HUS in Tennessee Associated with Raw Milk, Animals at French Broad Farm in Knoxville; Lawsuits May Be Filed
E. coli Outbreak in Knox County, Tennessee Sickens Several Children
An E. coli outbreak in Knox County, Tennessee has sickened several children, according to the Health Department. According to news reports, the only common factors officials can confirm at this time is that the cases are in this E. coli outbreak are occurring during the same time period. Martha Buchanan, Director of the Knox County Health Department told WATE.com, "We don't We don't have anything for the public to do with any information right now. Right now, we're really working on getting those details, gathering that information, and laying out that picture to see what it tells us about where we need to go next." She added that it's uncommon to have that many cases at one time. Typically, there are about 19 cases of E. coli illnesses that occur every year. The symptoms of … [Read more...]
Salmonella Outbreak at Fish Fry in Lascassas, TN Sickens 54
A Salmonella outbreak at a Lascassas Fire Department Fish Fry in Tennessee has sickened at least 54 people, Woody McMillin, Director of Communication and Media Relations of the Tennessee Department of Health told Food Poisoning Bulletin. That event was held on September 10, 2016. Public health officials have not been able to determine the cause of this outbreak. The investigation is continuing with patient interviews and laboratory testing. The outbreak was discovered after clinicians in Rutherford County started reporting Salmonella cases. As of Friday, September 23, 2016, there are 54 possible cases. Eight of those cases have been lab-confirmed. Fourteen people have been hospitalized because their illnesses are so serious. There is no word on patient age range, dates of illness … [Read more...]
E. coli O157:H7 Ground Beef Recalled, Possible TN Outbreak
Snap's Ferry Packing Company of Tennessee is recalling 410 pounds of ground beef that may be contaminated with E. coli O157:H7. The product was distributed to restaurants in Knoxville, Tennessee and was not sold at retail. There is an outbreak that may be linked to this recall. The recalled product is 5 pound packages of Ground Beef with a packaging date of November 20, 2015. The product has the establishment number "Est. 9085" inside the USDA mark of inspection. The problem was discovered on January 19, 2016, when a positive test for E. coli O157:H7 was traced back to the establishment as a result of an illness investigation in Tennessee. FSIS is working with the Tennessee Department of Health and Knox County Health Department on the investigation. E. coli is a potentially deadly … [Read more...]
Cryptosporidiosis Outbreak Associated with Raw Milk in TN
The Tennessee Department of Health (TDH) is investigating multiple gastrointestinal disease reports among people who consumed raw milk before they got sick. Two cases of cryptosporidiosis have been confirmed in people who live in the Chattanooga/Hamilton County Region. Both cases are associated with raw milk consumption from a dairy cow share program. In the last few months, other individuals have been interviewed about sporadic cases of Campylobacter and Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC), who also drank raw milk from different sources. TDH Commissioner Dr. John Dreyzehener said, "Consuming raw milk in the belief it's healthier than pasteurized milk is a perilous risk that shakes off the possibility of a range of serious and occasionally fatal illnesses for the individuals and … [Read more...]
Possible Raw Milk E. coli Outbreak at McBee Dairy Farm in Tennessee
A possible E. coli outbreak is associated with raw milk sold from McBee Dairy Farm in Mascot, Tennessee. WATE TV is reporting that several children have been sickened by the pathogenic bacteria. At least three children have been hospitalized. Consumers have been advised to stop drinking the raw cow and goat milk from that farm. The Knox County Health Department is contacting anyone who may have purchased these products. Raw milk sales are legal in Tennessee, as long as the consumer "owns" the cow through cow-share agreements. E. coli, Campylobacter, Salmonella, and Listeria bacteria are found in raw milk. Those at greatest risk for serious illness from these bacteria include the very young, elderly, pregnant women, and those with chronic illnesses and compromised immune systems. From … [Read more...]
