A health warning for Brucella in Texas' K-Bar Dairy raw milk has been issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Texas Department of State Health. Public health officials are investigating brucellosis illnesses in as many as seven states. It is illegal to sell unpasteurized, or raw, milk, across state lines. The milk in question came from K-Bar dairy in Paradise, Texas. Weeks ago, Food Poisoning Bulletin told you about a Brucella outbreak in that state linked to raw milk that hospitalized one woman. Isolates from that patient match antibiotic-resistant Brucella bacteria in samples taken from the dairy's raw milk. The bacteria is called Brucella RB51, which is rare but causes serious illness. Officials are warning that anyone who consumed raw milk or … [Read more...]
Brucella Outbreak From K-Bar Dairy Raw Milk Prompts CDC Warning in Seven States
Texas Cyclospora Outbreak: Now 259 Sick
The Cyclospora outbreak in Texas has now sickened 259 people, according to the Texas Department of State Health Services. That's an increase of 29 people since the last update on August 18, 2017. This current outbreak started in late June, 2017. Last year, there were 148 people sickened with this illness. This long-lasting illness is caused by the Cyclospora parasite, which is endemic to tropical regions. Past outbreaks have been caused by fresh produce such as raspberries, cilantro, mesclun, basil, and snow peas. The Cyclospora oocysts are shed in feces. The oocyst must develop before it becomes infectious; this process can take a few weeks. Public health officials in Texas have still not determined a common source for this outbreak. Doctors and health care practitioners are … [Read more...]
Food and Water Safety Advice for Hurricane Harvey
The FDA is offering food safety and water safety advice for anyone affected by Hurricane Harvey in Texas. Food can be rendered unsafe by power outages and by contact with flood waters. If the power went out and perishable food has been above 40°F for more than 2 hours (more than 1 hour if the air temperature is at 90°F or above) it must be discarded. Cooking won't make this food safe, since bacteria can produce toxins that heat will not destroy. If the items stayed below 40°F and you are sure of this, cook them thoroughly to a safe minimum internal temperature before eating. Once power has been restored, check the temperature of appliance thermometers in the freezer and fridge. If the thermometers are 40°F or below, the food in the freezer can be refrozen. If you didn't have a … [Read more...]
Texas Cyclospora Outbreak Sickens 230
The cyclospora outbreak in Texas has now sickened at least 230 people as of August 15, 2017. The outbreak began mid June 2017. People are sick in 45 counties in that state, and seven are ill in "county pending or unknown." The counties with the most cyclosporiasis cases include Bexar (30), Dallas (12), Fort Bend (10), Harris (59), and Travis (20). Public health officials have not yet identified a common source in this outbreak. Past cyclospora food poisoning outbreaks have been linked to imported fresh produce, such as cilantro, mesclun, raspberries, basil, and snow peas. Officials are interviewing patients and asking them about the foods they ate the weeks before they got sick. Cyclospora oocytes sicken people after they have been shed in feces. The illness is not spread … [Read more...]
Brucella Outbreak in Texas From Raw Milk
A Texas resident has been diagnosed with brucellosis and has been hospitalized after consuming raw milk from K-Bar Dairy in Paradise, Texas in Wise County. An investigation by Texas Department of State Health Services has determined that milk from that facility is "the most probable source of the infection." K-Bar Dairy is a licensed raw milk dairy. Officials are investigating additional illnesses that may be connected to this product. That milk and other dairy products sold by that facility are being recalled. Anyone who has consumed milk or other products from that dairy since June 1 is at high risk of a Brucella infection. The press release states that, "People who consumed milk from this dairy but have no symptoms should discuss the issue with their provider and monitor … [Read more...]
Texas Cyclospora Outbreak Increases to 197 Sick
The cyclospora outbreak in Texas has now sickened at least 197 people, according to an update by the Texas Department of State Health Services. The counties with the most ill people are Bexar, with 25, Dallas, with 12, Harris, with 54, Tarrant, with 18, and Travis, with 14. Cyclospora parasites are native to tropical and subtropical regions of the globe. This parasite causes an intestinal illness when a person eats food or drinks water contaminated with the oocyst. The main symptoms of cyclosporiasis include watery diarrhea that is profuse and can be explosive, weight loss, fatigue, abdominal cramps, bloating, nausea, vomiting, and a low fever. People can be sick for weeks, and the illness can recur over a time span of months. This infection is not transmitted person-to-person, … [Read more...]
CDC Warns About Cyclospora Outbreak; 206 Are Ill
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the FDA are investigating an increase in cyclosporiasis cases. They want to warn public health departments and healthcare facilities about this problem. There is an ongoing Cyclospora outbreak right now in Texas, with at least 197 people sick. And as of August 2, 2017, the CDC states that 206 people in 27 states are sick with cyclosporiasis infections. Those patients got sick on or after May 1, 2017. Eighteen people have been hospitalized because their illnesses are so severe. No deaths have been reported. The CDC has not yet provided a case count map or identified the states where people are sick. No specific food has been identified as possible sources, and officials are working to identify the source. Officials also do … [Read more...]
Texas Cyclospora Outbreak Climbs to 160 Sick
The Cyclospora outbreak in Texas has now sickened at least 160 people, according to the Texas Health and Human Services Department. There has been a cyclospora outbreak in the United States every summer for the past few years. Last year there was a downtick in cases, which the FDA has attributed to increased import inspections and import alerts. But this new outbreak is much bigger than last year's. The illnesses started in mid-June 2017. The cyclospora parasite causes a long lasting illness that can recur for months. Symptoms include watery and explosive diarrhea, loss of appetite, and fatigue. Health care providers are being told to watch for these symptoms and to test patients when needed. Past outbreaks have all been associated with imported fresh produce. Officials are … [Read more...]
Cyclospora Outbreak in Texas Sickens at Least 68
A health advisory for a Cyclospora outbreak has been issued by the Texas State Department of Health Services. At least 68 people are sick with cyclosporiasis in that state. Illness were reported to officials starting mid-June 2017. Public health officials are investigating the outbreak to identify possible common exposures. In the past, cyclospora outbreaks have been linked to consumption of imported fresh produce, cilantro, pre-packaged salad mix, raspberries, basil, snow peas, and mesclun lettuce. The diagnosis of more patients and rapid reporting to public health by doctors is essential to try to prevent a large scale outbreak. Officials are asking doctors to test patents for the parasite if they have a diarrheal illness that lasts more than a few days, or have diarrhea that … [Read more...]
Food Poisoning Outbreak in San Antonio, Texas
A vague notice about a food poisoning outbreak in San Antonio, Texas, was posted by the City of San Antonio Metropolitan Health District on December 20, 2016. People got sick after attending an event sponsored by the Education Investment Foundation for San Antonio Housing Authority (SAHA) residents. The statement reads, in its entirety, "The San Antonio Metropolitan Health District (Metro Health) is investigating an illness occurring in individuals that attended an event sponsored by the Education Investment Foundation for San Antonio Housing Authority (SAHA) residents. Metro Health is conducting an epidemiological public health investigation of a cluster of individuals becoming ill after attending the event. Metro Health has been working with SAHA on the preliminary investigation … [Read more...]
