According to news reports and the Cameron County Health Department, a food poisoning outbreak at El Rey del Taco in Brownsville, Texas has been associated with Bistek tacos. Those are tacos made with onions, flank steak, and green chile. At least 33 people were sickened in this outbreak. Public health officials have not named the pathogen responsible for these illnesses, but did says that the illnesses were caused by a "microbial toxins." Bacteria that produce toxins that make people sick within a short amount of time include Clostridium perfringens and Bacillus cereus. Both of these pathogens make toxins when they are in large quantities of food, particularly meat and gravy, that is not properly cooled or not properly reheated. About 30 patients went to Valley Regional … [Read more...]
Raw Turkey Salmonella Reading Outbreak Grows to 279 Sick
The raw turkey Salmonella Reading outbreak has grown to include 279 sick people, according to an update by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Of those patients, 107 people have been hospitalized, and one person who lived in California has died. That's an addition of 63 more people from 24 states and the District of Columbia. Illness onset dates range form November 20, 2017 to January 29, 2019. The patient age range is from less than 1 year to 101. Forty-eight percent of patients have been hospitalized. The case count by state is: Alabama (4), Alaska (2), Arizona (4), Arkansas (1), California (26), Colorado (6), Connecticut (4), Delaware (1), District of Columbia (4), Florida (12), Georgia (2), Hawaii (2), Idaho (4), Iowa (4), Illinois (23), Indiana (7), Kansas … [Read more...]
Listeria Outbreak Linked to Long Phung Pork Ends With 4 Sick
The Listeria monocytogenes outbreak linked to Long Phung pork products has ended with four sick, according to the Centers For Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). All four patients were hospitalized because they were so sick. Those patients live in Louisiana, Michigan, Tennessee, and Texas. The 165368 C. Corporation of Houston, Texas, doing business as Long Phung Food Products, recalled their ready-to-eat pork products for possible contamination. They were labeled with the establishment number "EST. 13561" inside the USDA mark of inspection. They were sold nationwide. The outbreak appears to be over as of January 29, 2019. Listeria specimens from ill persons were collected. Whole genome sequencing was conducted on that bacterial DNA and found that all of those sickened were … [Read more...]
Raw Turkey Salmonella Reading Outbreak Grows to 216 Sick
The raw turkey Salmonella Reading outbreak has grown to 216 sick, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Eighty-four people are hospitalized and one person who lived in California has died. This outbreak has also sickened people in Canada. That's an increase of 52 more ill persons since the last update on November 8, 2018. The case count by state is: Alabama (4), Alaska (2), Arizona (3), Arkansas (1), California (16), Colorado (6), Connecticut (3), Delaware (1), District of Columbia (2), Florida (8), Georgia (2), Hawaii (1), Idaho (2), Iowa (4), Illinois (21), Indiana (5), Kansas (1), Kentucky (1), Maryland (5), Massachusetts (3), Michigan (8), Minnesota (18), Missouri (3), Nebraska (1), New Jersey (9), New York (15), North Carolina (8), North Dakota (2), … [Read more...]
Honey Pacifiers Give Four Texas Infants Botulism Poisoning
Honey pacifiers from Mexico have given botulism poisoning to four infants in Texas. Many people don't know this, but honey can contain Clostridium botulinum spores and should never be fed to children under the age of one. The pacifiers are filled with or dipped in honey. These pacifiers were purchased in Mexico, but some similar products can be found in the U.S. through online retailers. All four infants have been hospitalized. There is no word on their condition, or if they have recovered or have been released from the hospital. The Clostridium botulinum spores can multiple in a baby's immature and developing immune system. The FDA, CDC, and the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that parents do not give honey to young children. The toxin is also made by Clostridium … [Read more...]
Salmonella Reading Outbreak Linked to Raw Turkey Turns Deadly; Some May Sue
The CDC has updated its investigation of the multistate outbreak of Salmonella Reading infections that are linked to raw turkey products. One person in California has died. And 74 more ill persons were reported, bringing the total to 164 in 35 states. The last update on this outbreak was issued on July 19, 2018. The case count by state is: Alaska (1), Arizona (1)< California (13), Colorado (6), Connecticut (3), Delaware (1), Florida (7), Georgia (2), Hawaii (1), Idaho (1), Iowa (3), Illinois (16), Indiana (3), Kansas (1), Kentucky (1), Maryland (3), Massachusetts (3), Michigan (6), Minnesota (17), Missouri (1), Nebraska (1), New Jersey (8), New York (12), North Carolina (7), North Dakota (2), Ohio (5), Oklahoma (1), Oregon (2), Pennsylvania (8), South Carolina (1), South Dakota … [Read more...]
Outbreak at Pasha’s Mediterranean Grill in San Antonio, Texas; Lawsuits Possible
An outbreak of food poisoning at Pasha's Mediterranean Grill in San Antonio, Texas has been reported by the San Antonio Metro Health Department. The press release states that "numerous, independent companies of foodborne illness [have been] reported by individuals who have dined at Pasha's Mediterranean Grill on Wurzbach Road during the past Labor Day weekend. UPDATE 9/8/18: News reports are stating that 255 people are sick in this outbreak, and that twelve people have been hospitalized. There is no update on this outbreak at the San Antonio Metropolitan Health Department website. News reports are also stating that the outbreak was caused by Salmonella bacteria. More than 60 people reported symptoms of nausea, vomiting, stomach cramps, and diarrhea as of September 5, 2018. But, … [Read more...]
Lawyer Explains Why Texas Cyclospora Outbreak Happens Every Year
A cyclospora outbreak in Texas has sickened at least 56 people, according to the Texas Department of State Health Services. "This Texas cyclospora outbreak happens every year," said attorney Fred Pritzker. "There were hundreds of cases of cyclosporiasis last year in Texas and in the years before." Cyclosporiasis is caused by the cyclospora parasite. This parasite is ingested when contaminated water containing the sporulated organism gets onto fresh produce. When a person is infected, the parasite causes symptoms including explosive and watery diarrhea, cramps, bloating, gas, nausea, weight loss, and vomiting. Symptoms can last for weeks or months and can recur. "Past outbreaks have been associated with basil, snow peas, mesclun greens, and cilantro," Fred added. "These outbreaks … [Read more...]
CDC Starts Investigating Salmonella Typhimurium Outbreak Linked to Triple T/Fareway Chicken Salad
The Salmonella Typhimurium outbreak linked to Triple T/Fareway chicken salad is now being investigated by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The government is recommending that people do not eat recalled chicken salad sold at Fareway grocery stores in the Midwest. While the Iowa Department of Health is reporting much higher numbers (37 confirmed and 78 probable cases as of February 20, 2018), the CDC says that 65 people infected with the outbreak strain of Salmonella Typhimurium have been reported from five states. Twenty-eight people have been hospitalized, and no deaths have been reported. The case count by state is: Illinois (4), Iowa (55), Minnesota (2), Nebraska (3), and Texas (1). The state of Texas has now been added to the outbreak total. These are … [Read more...]
K-Bar Dairy Allowed to Sell Raw Milk Again After Brucella Outbreak
K-Bar Dairy in Wise County, Texas, is allowed to sell raw milk again after a Brucella outbreak was associated with their products. Public health officials are investigating Brucella illnesses in seven states in connection with this issue. Last month, officials warned anyone who consumed raw milk or raw milk products between June 1 and August 14, 2017 contact their doctors and get antibiotic treatments after Brucella bacteria was found in K-Bar Dairy's raw milk. This rare strain of Brucella causes serious illness, and can cause chronic conditions such as heart problems, enlargement of the liver or spleen, nervous system conditions, and arthritis. Testing conducted by the U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Veterinary Services Lab found that two cows in the herd were shedding … [Read more...]
