Cyclospora illnesses signal that the season has begun with at least 61 people sick in 13 states, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Six people have been hospitalized. The case count by state was not reported, nor was the patient age range. Cases continue to be reported to government officials. Illnesses caused by this parasite are much more common in the spring and summer months in the United States. And there have been multiple cyclospora outbreaks in this country in the past six years. In the past, Cyclospora outbreaks have been linked to cilantro, mesclun lettuce, basil, snow peas, and raspberries. There are also new cyclospora illnesses in Canada. At least 84 people in three provinces are ill, and four have been hospitalized. In 2021, … [Read more...]
Jif Salmonella Outbreak Case Count Rises to 16 Sick, 2 Hospitalized
The Jif Salmonella outbreak case count has risen to 16 sick with two hospitalized according to the CDC. Those patients live in 12 states. Many types of Jif peanut butter have been recalled, along with more than a dozen secondary recalls. There is one more patient each in the states of Missouri and North Carolina since the last CDC update. The case count by state is: Arkansas (1), Georgia (2), Illinois (1), Massachusetts (1), Missouri (2), Ohio (1), New York (1), South Carolina (1), North Carolina (2), Texas (2), Virginia (1), and Washington (1). The patient age range is from less than one year to 85 years. Of nine people who gave information to investigators, two have been hospitalized. Illness onset dates range from February 19, 2022 through May 2, 2022. This Jif Salmonella … [Read more...]
CDC Weighs In On Jif Peanut Butter Salmonella Outbreak
The CDC is weighing in on the Salmonella outbreak linked to some types of Jif peanut butter, which has sickened at least 14 people in 12 states. Two people have been hospitalized. A recall of several types of the peanut butter has been issued. The case count by state is: Arkansas (1), Georgia (2), Illinois (1), Massachusetts (1), Missouri (1), Ohio (1), North Carolina (1), New York (1), South Carolina (1), Texas (2), Virginia (1), and Washington (1). The patient age range is from less than one to 85. Illness onset dates are from February 17, 2022 through May 1, 2022. Of six people who gave information to investigators, two have been hospitalized, for a rate of 33%, which is high for a Salmonella outbreak. The true number of people sickened is likely much higher than this. Most … [Read more...]
Jif Peanut Butter Salmonella Outbreak Sickens 14 in 12 States
A Jif peanut butter Salmonella Senftenberg outbreak has sickened at least 14 people in 12 states. Two people have been hospitalized. The peanut butter was produced at the J.M. Smucker Company facility in Lexington, Kentucky. The patient case count by state is: Arkansas (1), Georgia (2), Illinois (1), Massachusetts (1), Missouri (1), Ohio (1), North Carolina (1), New York (1), South Carolina (1), Texas (2), Virginia (1), and Washington (1). The last illness onset date was May 1, 2022. We don't yet know the patient age range or first illness onset date. This outbreak could grow since it takes weeks from when a person first feels ill to when samples are tested and reported to the CDC. The distribution of these products was nationwide. They have been confirmed for the states listed … [Read more...]
St. Joseph’s Catholic Church Salmonella Outbreak in Amarillo, Texas
A St. Joseph's Catholic Church Salmonella outbreak has sickened a number of people, according to the City of Amarillo Public Health Department (APHD) and the City of Amarillo Environmental Health Department. The notice did not specify how many people are allegedly sickened in this outbreak. There is also no word on any hospitalizations, illness onset dates, or the patient age range. The outbreak is associated with an enchilada meal that was served at that church on Sunday, March 27, 2022. Anyone who has food items leftover from that event should discard them immediately. Anyone who is experiencing the symptoms of a Salmonella infection should see their doctor. And if you are sick, do not return to work, school, or daycare until you have been symptom-free for 24 hours. The notice … [Read more...]
Abbott Nutrition Form 483 Released by FDA in Cronobacter Illness Investigation
Abbott Nutrition Form 483 has been released by the FDA in the investigation of four Cronobacter illnesses linked to recalled Similac powdered infant formula. The three forms were released after inspections were conducted by the FDA at Abbott's facility in Sturgis, Michigan. All of the sick infants, who lived in Minnesota, Texas, and Ohio, are reported to have consumed powdered infant formula that was produced at that facility. The inspections were conducted on September 16 - 24, 2019, Sepatember 20 - 24, 2021, and January 31 - March 18, 2022. The notice states, "The inspectional observations in these Form 483s do not constitute final FDA determinations of whether any condition was or is in violation of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act or any of its implementing regulations. … [Read more...]
New Salmonella Saint Paul Outbreak on FDA’s CORE Table
A new Salmonella Saintpaul outbreak has been listed on the FDA's CORE Outbreak Investigation Table. According to the table, there are at least 59 people sick in this particular outbreak. According to the table, traceback has been initiated, but no recall has been ordered, no on-site inspection has begun, and there has been no sample collection or analysis. The FDA does not provide much information about an outbreak unless there are actions that consumers can take. This is a fairly rare strain of Salmonella. In 2013, a Salmonella Saintpaul outbreak that was linked to imported cucumbers sickened at least 84 people in 18 states. Seventeen people were hospitalized because they were so sick. And a Salmonella Saintpaul outbreak in Michigan in 2017 sickened at least 15 people. A … [Read more...]
FDA Updates the Recalled Cronobacter Infant Formula Product List
The FDA has updated the recalled Cronobacter infant formula list with a full list of recalled products. In addition, they say that metabolic and other medical specialty infant formulas were produced at the same plant which made the recalled Similac PM 60/40, but those products were not recalled "because the FDA has determined that the risk of not having these specialty products available could significantly worsen underlying medical conditions. For many of these patients, the risk of life-threatening adverse events from restricted access to these critically needed products is likely greater than the risk from consuming products that have been produced at the facility." So far, at least four infants, who lived in Minnesota, Texas, and Ohio, have been diagnosed with Cronobacter … [Read more...]
FDA Removed a Salmonella Illness From Powdered Infant Formula Count
The FDA removed a Salmonella illness from the powdered infant formula case count, accord to an update issued for that agency's CORE Outbreak Investigation Table. The Table itself does not contain this information; it was sent in an email. Salmonella has been removed from the Pathogen column in that outbreak investigation. There are still four infants in the case count linked to Similac, EleCare, and Alimentum powdered infant formulas. Those infants are from Minnesota, Ohio, and Texas. The two infants who lived in Ohio died, although the FDA is investigating to see if Cronobacter sakazakii contributed to those deaths. Two recalls have been issued for those infant formula products. The first, on February 17, 2022, was for Similac, EleCare, and Alimentum powdered infant formula with … [Read more...]
Cronobacter Complications: Necrotizing Enterocolitis, Sepsis, and Meningitis
Cronobacter complications can include necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), sepsis, and meningitis. These conditions can be fatal for infants, and a worry for parents in light of the Cronobacter illnesses linked to powdered infant formula. What are the symptoms of these conditions and what should parents look for? Four Infants Sick with Cronobacter First, some background. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states that there are four infants from Minnesota, Texas, and Ohio who were sickened with Cronobacter infections after they were allegedly fed powdered infant formula produced by Abbott Nutrition at their Sturgis, Michigan plant. More reports of illness are being investigated. A recall has been issued for four types of that formula: Similac Pro Total Comfort, … [Read more...]
