Five raw milk outbreaks occurring at the same time this fall highlight the inherent risks of this product. Raw milk is unpasteurized, that is, it is not heat treated to kill dangerous pathogens such as E. coli, Listeria monocytogenes, Salmonella, Brucella, Campylobacter, and Cryptosporidium. The issue is that a cow's udders are close to the anus. And ruminant animals such as cows can harbor pathogens and not appear sick. The pathogens are excreted in feces and can easily contaminate the udders and milk. All together, these outbreaks have sickened at least 51 people. And since the multipliers for Salmonella and Campylobacter alone are around 30, that means there could be 1500 people sick. The Outbreaks These outbreaks occurred in September and October, 2023. Two of the outbreaks … [Read more...]
Utah Natural Meat and Milk Source of Campylobacter Outbreak
Utah Natural Meat and Milk has been identified as the source of the Campylobacter outbreak in that state that has sickened at least 14 people, according to news reports. The Utah Department of Health and Human Services and the Utah Department of Agriculture and Food said that the pathogen came from that dairy that is located in West Jordan. According to the Salt Lake County Health Department, one patient was hospitalized but is recovering at home. The patient age range is from 2 to 73 years. At least 12 of those who are sick told public health officials that they drank raw milk purchased at that dairy before they started experiencing symptoms. And testing found Campylobacter bacteria in that dairy's raw milk that is the same genetic strain as the bacteria that made people … [Read more...]
Gills Diced Onion Salmonella Outbreak Sickens 73 in 22 States
A Gills diced onion Salmonella outbreak has sickened at least 73 people in 22 states, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Fifteen of those patients have been hospitalized because they are so sick. The case count by state is: Arizona (1), California (17), Colorado (1), Georgia (1), Iowa (1), Idaho (1), Illinois (4), Indiana (2), Kentucky (1), Massachusetts (1), Michigan (6), Montana (2), North Dakota (2), New York (1), Ohio (3), Oregon (3), Tennessee (1), Texas (1), Utah (17), Virginia (3), Wisconsin (3), and Wyoming (1). Illness onset dates range from August 2, 2023 to September 25, 2023. The patient age range is from less than 1 to 90 years old. Of the 65 people who gave information to public health investigators, 15, or 23%, have been … [Read more...]
Utah Raw Milk Campylobacter Outbreak Sickens 14; 1 Hospitalized
A Utah raw milk Campylobacter outbreak has sickened at least 14 people with one person hospitalized, according to the Salt Lake County Health Department. Ten of those patients who live in that county have been diagnosed with campylobacteriosis. And there are another four people in other areas of the state who are also sick. Eight of those 10 patients who live in Salt Lake County confirmed that they drank raw milk before they got sick. And all of the patients who live elsewhere in the state confirmed they drank raw milk before illness onset. The patient age range is from 2 to 73 years. One person was hospitalized, and is now recovering at home. The source of the raw milk that caused these illnesses remains under investigation. There have been many outbreaks linked to raw milk … [Read more...]
E. coli Outbreak in Cache County, Utah Sickens Six
An E. coli outbreak in Cache County, Utah has sickened at least six people, according to the Bear River Health Department and news reports. This area is more than 100 miles away from Lehi, Utah, where there may be hundreds sickened in an E. coli outbreak that is preliminarily linked to irrigation water. Jordan Mathis, health officer at the Bear River Health Department, told HJ News, "Although we are actively working to identify the source of this outbreak, there is no risk to the general public at this time. However, we advise residents to practice good hygiene, such as thoroughly washing their hands, especially after using the restroom and before handling food." The type of E. coli that causes illness in humans is found in the digestive tracts of ruminant animals, such as cows … [Read more...]
Lehi E. coli Outbreak Sickens 12, Bacteria in Irrigation Water
The Lehi E. coli outbreak has now sickened 12 people, according to Lehi City. That is an increase of four more patients since the outbreak was reported on August 8, 2023. Utah officials found E. coli O157 in pressurized irrigation water sources. The samples were taken from a pressurized irrigation water reservoir and nine exposure sites on Monday, August 14, 2023. The investigation linked the source of the outbreak to using this water for drinking, sprinklers, and slip-n-slides. Pressurized irrigation water is not treated, which means it can be contaminated with pathogens. Pressurized irrigation water is not connected to the city's culinary drinking water system. Residents are strongly advised to exercise caution when eating uncooked produce from backyard gardens that have been … [Read more...]
E. coli Outbreak in Utah County, Utah Sickens 8, 5 Hospitalized
An E. coli outbreak in Utah County, Utah has sickened at least eight people. Five of those people have been hospitalized because they are so sick. Two of the cases have confirmed E. coli O57:H7 infections. All patients are residents of Lehi City in that county or have close ties to the area, according to Lehi City officials. A three-year-old girl is one of the hospitalized patients according to news reports. While epidemiologists are working to find the source of the infection, preliminary results indicate that using pressurized irrigation water for drinking and play may be the source of the pathogen. Mark Johnson, Mayor of Lehi City, said in a statement, "This is a critical situation, and I am concerned for the public. I want residents to be aware that pressurized irrigation water … [Read more...]
Papa Murphy’s Cookie Dough Salmonella Outbreak Ends
The Papa Murphy's Cookie Dough Salmonella outbreak has ended with at least 26 people sick in six states, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Four people were hospitalized. Even though this outbreak is over, the government is warning consumers that eating raw cookie dough made with unpasteurized eggs and raw flour is a hazard and can make you sick. The case count by state is: California (2), Idaho (5), Missouri (1), Oregon (8), Utah (4), and Washington (6). That is an increase of eight more patients since the last update on May 23, 2023. The newly diagnosed ill persons live in California, Idaho, Oregon, and Utah. The patient age range is from 14 to 81 years. Illness onset dates ranged from February 24, 2023 to May 28, 2023. State and local health … [Read more...]
FDA Weighs In On Papa Murphy’s Cookie Dough Outbreak
The FDA weighs in on the Papa Murphy's Cookie Dough Salmonella outbreak that has sickened at least 18 people in six states. The cookie dough is Chocolate Chip Cookie and S'Mores Bars. They were sold at Papa Murphy's franchises. Twelve of 14 patients told Centers for Disease Control and Prevention investigators that they ate the raw dough before they got sick. Papa Murphy's has notified franchise owners about this issue nationwide and has stopped selling the product. They destroyed all of the doughs at all stores. The investigation is ongoing to determine the source of the contamination and whether more products are linked to illnesses. The case count by state is: California (1), Idaho (4), Missouri (1), Oregon (4), Utah (2) and Washington (6). Illness onset dates range from … [Read more...]
Papa Murphy’s Cookie Dough Salmonella Outbreak Sickens 18
A Papa Murphy's Cookie Dough Salmonella outbreak has sickened at least 18 people in six states and and has hospitalized two, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Two types of Papa Murphy's raw cookie dough are involved in this outbreak: Chocolate chip cookie dough and S'mores bar dough. Papa Murphy's has temporarily stopped selling those two types of cookie dough. The case count by state is: California (1), Idaho (4), Missouri (1), Oregon (4), Utah (2) and Washington (6). Illness onset dates range from February 27, 2023 to May 2, 2023. The patient age range is from 14 to 68. Of 14 people who gave information to investigators, two have been hospitalized, for a hospitalization rate of 14%. Public health officials interviewed people about the foods they … [Read more...]
