A new Jimmy John's E. coli O103 outbreak that has sickened at least 14 people in Iowa, Illinois, Missouri, Texas, and Utah was just announced by Frank Yiannas, Deputy Commissioner for Food Policy and Response at the FDA. And yes, it is linked to clover sprouts served at Jimmy John's restaurants in those states. This is a different outbreak from the one that was announced in December 2019 that has sickened 22 people in Iowa alone, and about which the FDA sent a warning letter to Jimmy John's and Sprouts Unlimited this week. Yiannas said, "These 14 new cases are not associated with the warning letter that the FDA issued to the company yesterday, but they do underscore the seriousness of the issue as we work with Jimmy John's to prevent outbreaks like these in the future." The case … [Read more...]
New Jimmy John’s E. coli O103 Outbreak Sickens People in IA, IL, MO, TX, and UT
Utah STEC Outbreak Investigated; Petting Zoos and Farms Studied
Public health officials in Utah are investigating an increase in Shiga toxin-producing E. coli infections (STEC) in that state, according to the Utah Department of Health. The source of this Utah STEC outbreak has not been identified, but some patients said they visited farms, corn mazes, and petting zoos before they got sick. This is nothing new. In the past few years, there have been several E. coli outbreaks linked to those types of attractions. Food safety attorney Fred Pritzker warned the public years ago about the potential danger at agricultural tourism venues. Ruminant animals, such as goats and cows, carry E. coli and other pathogenic bacteria in their intestines, and those animals do not get sick. The bacteria are shed in the animal's feces, which can then contaminate … [Read more...]
Customers at The New Yorker Restaurant in Salt Lake City Exposed to Hepatitis A
According to news reports, hundreds of customers at The New Yorker Restaurant at 60 West Market Street in Salt Lake City, Utah may have been exposed to hepatitis A. An ill worker "potentially handled certain food or beverage items," from July 25 through August 15, 2018 at the restaurant. About 650 people may be at risk for this illness. Unfortunately, that time frame is outside the two week window where a hepatitis A or immune globulin vaccination is effective. August 15, 2018 was almost four weeks ago. The vaccine only works when given within fourteen days of exposure. All patrons of that restaurant can do now is monitor themselves for the symptoms of hepatitis A. Those symptoms include jaundice (yellowing of the eyes and skin), vomiting, loss of appetite, weight loss, pain in … [Read more...]
Possible Hepatitis A Exposure for Customers of Edible Arrangements in Murray, Utah
A food worker at Edible Arrangements at 5211 South State Street in Murray, Utah has been diagnosed with hepatitis A, according to a press release issued by the Salt Lake County Health Department (SLCoHD). That person worked between March 21 and April 13, 2018. Health officials think that this store sold about 600 arrangements of fruit during this time period. The store was closed on April 17 and sanitation will occur, under the supervision of the Department of Health. All store employees must be vaccinated before they return to work. Anyone who ate any food prepared at that location during that time period may have been exposed to the pathogenic virus. If you are one of those people, call 385-468-4636 for further instructions. The phone line will be staffed from 8:00 am to 5:00 … [Read more...]
Possible Hepatitis A Exposure for Patrons of Tabitha’s Way Food Pantry in Spanish Fork, Utah
Patrons of Tabitha's Way Local Food Pantry South County in Spanish Fork, Utah may have been exposed to the hepatitis A virus. This warning only applies to people who came into contact with or took food that is not canned. That pantry received food from an Olive Garden restaurant where an infected employee worked last month. Anyone who visited Tabitha's Way Food Pantry from Thursday, December 28, 2017 through Wednesday, January 3, 2018 may have been exposed to this pathogenic virus. The questionnaire by the Utah Department of Health asks if you ate any food or drank any beverages (non-packaged) or used the restroom at that location. If so, and if you have not had a hepatitis A vaccination, you are asked to fill out contact information on that site. Your local health department … [Read more...]
Possible Hepatitis A Virus Exposure at Two Restaurants in Spanish Fork, Utah
Consumers who visited two restaurants in Spanish Fork, Utah last month may have been exposed to the hepatitis A virus, according to the Utah Department of Health. The restaurants in question are Olive Garden, at 1092 North Canyon Parkway, and Sonic Drive-In at 971 North Main Street, also in Spanish Fork. Employees who have been diagnosed with hepatitis A worked at those locations. If you visited that Olive Garden restaurant between Thursday, December 21, 2017 through Saturday, December 30, 2017, or that Sonic between Saturday, December 23, 2017 through Sunday, December 24, 2017, you may have been exposed to the pathogenic virus. If you were at those locations before December 28, 2017, it's too late for a vaccination. All you can do is monitor yourself for the symptoms of … [Read more...]
Possible Hepatitis A Exposure at 7-Eleven Store in West Jordan, Utah
Customers of the 7-Eleven store at 2666 West 7800 South in West Jordan, Utah may have been exposed to hepatitis A, according to the Salt Lake County Health Department (SLCoHD). Anyone who used the restroom at that store, or consumed specific foods or beverages on certain dates may be at risk for contracting this illness. Anyone who visited the store from Tuesday, December 26, 2017 through Wednesday, January 3, 2018 and who used any restroom in the store is at risk. In addition, if you consumed these items: fountain drink or other self-serve beverage, fresh fruit, or any item from the store's hot food case, such as pizza, hot dogs, chicken wings, or taquitos is at risk. Packaged items, including microwaved foods and bottled beverages, are not implicated. Contact the health … [Read more...]
Deadly Utah-Arizona E. coli Outbreak Linked to Animals
The deadly E. coli outbreak in Hildale, Utah and Colorado City, Arizona has been linked to infected animals, followed by person-to-person contact, according to the Southwest Utah Public Health Department. Several livestock have tested positive for the outbreak strain of E. coli. The owners of the animals have been contacted and given guidance to prevent further spread of this outback. All tests on water systems, springs, ground beef, produce, and dairy products conducted by public health officials were negative. There have been no new confirmed cases in this particular outbreak since July 9, 2017. Public health agencies will still monitor any disease activity in those towns and surrounding communities. Agencies involved in investigating and monitoring this outbreak include the … [Read more...]
Deadly Utah, Arizona E. coli Outbreak Not Linked to Ground Beef
The Southwest Utah Public Health Department has issued a news release about the deadly E. coli outbreak in Hildale, Utah and Colorado City, Arizona. They say that while they are still investigating this outbreak, they have determined that ground beef is not a likely cause. the advisory not to consume previously purchased ground beef is discontinued. The advisory to not consume raw milk stays in place. The investigation has been joined by Mohave County Department of Health, Utah Department of Health, and the Arizona Department of Health Services, along with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). There are 12 people sickened in this outbreak. Two small children have died. News reports state that seven of the twelve patients have been hospitalized, and four have … [Read more...]
Deadly E. coli Outbreak in Utah/Arizona Has Sickened 12 People
The E. coli outbreak in Hildale, Utah and Colorado City, Arizona has now sickened 12 people, according to the Southwest Utah Public Health Department. David Heaton, Health Department spokesman, commented on the press release page, saying "Advisory is cautionary action as investigation includes focus on food contamination and animal exposure risk. Individual case information is not being released other than to confirm that most are children." The source of the outbreak has still not been identified. We do know that two children have died in this outbreak. News reports before this update say that four patients have developed HUS and that seven have been hospitalized, but the health department has not confirmed these numbers. HUS is a complication of an E. coli infection that destroys … [Read more...]
