Two El Abuelito Listeria pregnancy related illnesses were added to the listeriosis soft cheese outbreak total last week by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). That company's queso fresco cheese was recalled earlier this month because lab tests conducted by the Connecticut Department of Health found the outbreak strain of Listeria monocytogenes in one sample of the product. Also last week, two more types of El Abuelito cheese were recalled: Quesillo (Oaxaca and string cheese) and Requeson (ricotta). The outbreak patient age range went from 45 to 75 with seven ill in the first outbreak notice to less than 1 year to 75 with ten sick in the latest notice, indicating that an infant was sickened. The outbreak notice states "Two illnesses are pregnancy-related." The CDC … [Read more...]
Texas Carbon Monoxide Poisonings Increase In Wake of Power Outage
An article in Forbes is highlighting the fact that Texas carbon monoxide poisonings are increasing in the wake of the killer freezing temperatures and lack of power in that state. It seems that people are bringing outdoor grills inside and are leaving gas stoves and ovens open and running all night. Those are all bad ideas. All of those heat sources release carbon monoxide, which is invisible, odorless, and a silent killer. According to Forbes, Cook Children's Hospital has treated over a dozen children for CO poisoning. And over 300 carbon monoxide poisonings were reported in Harris County alone, where Houston is located. Several people have died. Heatrs that malfunction, indoor use of grills and camp stoves, and kerosene heaters cause carbon monoxide poisonings and death every … [Read more...]
Almark Eggs Listeria Outbreak Ends With 8 Sick, 5 Hospitalized, 1 Death
The Almark Eggs Listeria outbreak has ended with 8 sick in 5 states, 5 hospitalized, and 1 death, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's latest announcement. A recall was issued for Almark Foods hard boiled eggs that had "Best If Used By" dates through March 2, 2020. These eggs are past their shelf life and shouldn't be available for sale, but some consumers may still have them in their homes and restaurants could have them in storage coolers. They should be discarded. The case count by state is: Florida (1), Maine (2), Pennsylvania (1), South Carolina (2), and Texas (2). Listeria specimens from patients were collected from April 10, 2017 to December 7, 2019. These dates are so far apart because the investigators used PulseNet to look for people sickened with … [Read more...]
FDA Updates Almark Foods Eggs Listeria Monocytogenes Outbreak
The FDA has updated the Almark Foods Eggs Listeria monocytogenes outbreak that has sickened 7 people in 5 states. Secondary recalls have been announced, including one where Almark recalled all of its hard-boiled egg products within shelf life, up through March 2, 2020. Almark Foods is no longer producing products from their Gainesville, Georgia facility. Three secondary recalls have been issued: Bakkavor Foods (Trader Joe’s Egg Salad and Potato Salad) Diebergs Kitchen (Diebergs Market products) Reichel Foods (Pro2Snax To The Max) A fourth recall has been issued since the FDA update: Great American Deli has recalled their 4.8 ounce Egg Salad Sandwiches with UPC number 7-41431-00114-2, sold in micro marts, vending machines, and convenience stores around the … [Read more...]
Almark Foods Hard Boiled Eggs Listeria Monocytogenes Outbreak Sickens 7
An Almark Foods hard boiled eggs Listeria monocytogenes outbreak has sickened seven people in five states, according to the CDC. Four of the seven people sickened have been hospitalized, and one death has been reported in Texas. The bulk, fresh hard-boiled eggs produced by Almark Foods of Gainesville, Georgia are suspected intros outbreak. The case count by state is: Florida (1), Maine (1), Pennsylvania (1), South Carolina (2), and Texas (2). Listeria specimens were collected from ill people from April 10, 2017 to November 12, 2019. The patient age range is from less than 1 to 72, with a median age of 75. One illness was reported in a newborn who was infected with Listeria while the mother was pregnant, but the newborn survived. Of the five people who were interviewed by … [Read more...]
Texas Shigellosis Outbreak in Stockton and Pecos County Sickens 27
A Texas Shigellosis outbreak in Stockton and Pecos County has sickened at least 27 people, according to the Texas Department of State Health Services. This bacteria causes a diarrheal illness, and is spread through consuming contaminated food and water, as well as person-to-person and through contact with contaminated water. Late last month Brazoria County announced that there is a shigellosis outbreak in that county in Texas. The first illness onset date was in October. Three patients have been hospitalized because they are so sick. No single source of the Shigella bacteria has been identified by government officials at this time. Symptoms of shigellosis can also include fever, vomiting, nausea, and stomach cramps. Some people may feel the need to evacuate their bowels even when … [Read more...]
Brazoria County Shigella Outbreak Sickens Unknown Number in Texas
There is a Brazoria County Shigella outbreak in Texas, according to the Brazoria County Health Department. Shigella is a bacteria found in feces that causes illness similar to other pathogens. The release states that there is "an increased number of Shigella cases in the community over the past two months; particularly in children." Symptoms of Shigellosis include abdominal pains and cramps, nausea, vomiting, fever, and diarrhea that contains mucus or blood. People contract this infection via the fecal-oral route. That means a person touches contaminated objects then touches the mouth, consuming contaminated food or water, or by contaminated objects touching the mouth. This illness is also spread person-to-person. The severity of the illness can vary. Some people may only have a … [Read more...]
CDC Weighs In On Karawan Tahini Salmonella Concord Outbreak
The CDC has weighed in on the Karawan tahini Salmonella Concord outbreak. At least four people in three states are ill in this outbreak. One person has been hospitalized. The base count is: Massachusetts (1), New York (2), and Texas (1). The patient age range is from 8 to 32 years, with a median age of 21. Three of the four patients are female. Illness onset dates range from March 9, 2019 to March 23, 2019. PulseNet investigators are using their nationwide typing system to find people who may be part of this outbreak. Whole genome sequencing performed on isolates taken from ill persons showed they were closely related genetically. That means those people are more likely to share a common source of infection. Epidemiologic, traceback, and laboratory evidence indicates that … [Read more...]
Salmonella Concord Outbreak Linked to Karawan Tahini Sickens Four
A Salmonella Concord outbreak linked to Karawan Tahini and Halva brand tahini has sickened four people in three states and hospitalized one person. The original outbreak notice stated that the tahini was imported from Israel. The recall notice, which was posted on May 16, 2019, says the tahini was imported from Palestine. This outbreak is not related to the 2018-2019 Salmonella Concord outbreak linked to Achdut Tahini. That earlier outbreak, which ended in February 2019, sickened eight people. The tahini in that outbreak was imported from Israel and was sold under several different brand names, including Achdut, Soom, Pepperwood, and Baron. In this new outbreak, the case count by state is: New York (2), Massachusetts (1), and Texas (1). The last illness onset date was March 23, … [Read more...]
Final Update on Raw Turkey Salmonella Reading Outbreak
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued the final update of the raw turkey Salmonella Reading outbreak. At least 358 people in 42 states have been sickened. More than 130 people were hospitalized in this outbreak, and one death was reported. The government says that the outbreak strain of Salmonella Reading is present in live turkeys and in many types of raw turkey products. The number of reported new illnesses is decreasing, but people could continue to get sick. The last reported illness was on March 31, 2019. The case count by state is: Alabama (4), Alaska (2), Arizona (5), Arkansas (2), California (30), Colorado (7), Connecticut (5), Delaware (1), District of Columbia (5), Florida (13), Georgia (2), Hawaii (4), Idaho (4), Iowa (50), Illinois (25), … [Read more...]
