The investigation into the deadly E. coli outbreak at the border of Utah and Arizona has been joined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Utah Department of Health, the Arizona Department of Health Services, and the Utah Department of Health, according to the Southwest Utah Public Health Department. The confirmed case count stands at 11. Two children have died after being infected with E. coli bacteria. The source of the outbreak hasn't been identified, but warnings have been issued by various health departments against consuming raw milk and previously purchased ground beef. This most recent update also warned people that the illness can be spread person-to-person. The cities involved in this outbreak are Hildale, Utah and Colorado City, Arizona. This is … [Read more...]
Update on Deadly E. coli Outbreak in Southwest Utah
An E. coli outbreak in Hildale, Utah that killed two children and originally sickened six has been updated by the Southwest Utah Public Health Department. Now eleven people have been sickened in this outbreak. On July 5, 2017, testing on the city water system was negative for the pathogenic bacteria. On July 7, 2017, the case number increased to nine. Officials were continuing to test the water. Also on July 7, 2017, the Health Department told residents of Hildale and surrounding areas to not consume any previously purchased ground beef until further notice. Ground beef has been linked to E. coli in the past, especially when the meat is not cooked to 160°F. Then on July 11, 2017, the Department announced that there were 11 confirmed cases of E. coli in this outbreak. Officials … [Read more...]
Deadly E. coli Outbreak in Hildale, Utah Kills Two Children
A deadly E. coli outbreak in Hildale, Utah was announced on the Southwest Utah Public Health Department's Facebook page. The announcement states, "Currently, this outbreak appears to be confined to a limited area with little or no risk to the larger community. We will post updates to this page." According to news reports, two children have died. A comment on the page states, "This E.coli investigation is specifically focusing on contaminated food or animal exposure." All of the water tested "so far" has been clean, according to public health officials. More information will be posted on the Department's Facebook page when it is available. The two children were hospitalized when they died, Deputy Marshal Daniel Musser told the Salt Lake Tribune. The exact number of illnesses is … [Read more...]
Campylobacter Outbreak and Raw Milk Consumption in Utah, 2014
The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued a report about the 2014 outbreak of Campylobacter infections in Utah associated with raw milk consumption. In May 2014, the Utah Public Health Laboratory (UPHL) notified the Utah Department of Health (UDOH) that three patients tested positive for Campylobacter jejuni infections that had the same pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) patterns. All three patients had consumed raw milk from "dairy A." This facility was identified as Ropelato Dairy in Ogden, Utah at the time. Raw milk sales are legal in Utah from the farm to the consumer with a sales permit. These dairies must submit monthly milk samples to the Utah Department of Agriculture and Food (UDAF) for somatic cell and coliform counts. Coliform counts indicate the … [Read more...]
Costco E. coli O157:H7 Chicken Salad Outbreak: It’s the Veggies
The FDA has announced that it appears onions and celery in Costco chicken salad may be the source of E. coli O157:H7 bacteria that has sickened at least 19 people in 7 states. Those people live in California (1), Colorado (4), Missouri (1), Montana (6), Utah (5), Virginia (1), and Washington state (1). According to news outlets, Taylor Farms in Salinas, California is the supplier of the vegetables for Costco Wholesale. The vegetables from that supplier are used in the chicken salads sold in all of the company's U.S. stores. Of those 19 ill persons, 16 have been interviewed. Fourteen of those people purchased or ate rotisserie chicken salad from Costco stores the week before they got sick. Five of the patients have been hospitalized, and two are suffering from hemolytic uremic syndrome … [Read more...]
Here’s What to Do if You Purchased Costco Chicken Salad Linked to an E. coli Outbreak
Chicken salad made and sold at Costco Wholesale stores in seven states has sickened at least 19 people with E. coli O157:H7 infections. Those sickened live in Washington state, Montana, California, Utah, Colorado, Missouri, and Virginia. The CDC, FDA, and USDA are investigating this outbreak, along with public health officials in the affected states. Five of the 19 patients have been hospitalized, and two have developed hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). Fourteen of sixteen people interviewed purchased or ate rotisserie chicken salad from Costco the week before they got sick. With such a wide distribution of case patients, it's probable that an ingredient used to make that salad in the stores and purchased in bulk by Costco is the source of the pathogenic bacteria. It is not probable … [Read more...]
Costco Chicken Salad in CO, WA, UT, MT Linked to E. coli Outbreak
The Colorado Department of Public Health andEnvironment (CDPHE) is investigating an E. coli O157:H7 outbreak linked to chicken salad purchased at Costco stores in that state in late October. At least four people have been sickened with E. coli O157:H7 infections in Colorado. Other states with confirmed E. coli cases linked to Costco chicken salad are Utah, Montana, and Washington. The case count by county is: Arapahoe (1), Jefferson County (2), and Routt (1). One person has been hospitalized, and all persons In Colorado have recovered. People purchased the salad from Costco stores on October 25 and 26, 2015, and became ill between October 28 and November 3, 2015. The FDA, USDA-FSIS, and CDC are working with Costco to determine the source of contamination. The product is also being … [Read more...]
Utah, Colorado, Montana Hit by Cucumber Salmonella Outbreak
People living in Utah, Colorado, and Montana have been hit by the Salmonella outbreak linked to Andrew & Williamson imported cucumbers. At least 30 people in Utah have been sickened by Salmonella Poona bacteria; 14 are sick in Colorado, and 11 in Montana. The cucumbers, which were imported from Baja, Mexico, were grown and packed by Rancho Don Juanito and distributed by Andrew & Williamson Fresh Produce in California. The cucumbers that were distributed from August 1, 2015 through September 3, 2015 have been recalled by the company. It's important to note, however, that illnesses in this outbreak began on July 3, 2015, meaning that cucumbers sold before August 1, 2015 were also likely contaminated with the pathogenic bacteria. But the shelf life of cucumbers is about one … [Read more...]
Food Poisoning Outbreak at Salt Lake City Homeless Shelter
According to the Salt Lake Tribune, about 50 people were taken to a hospital from a homeless shelter in Salt Lake City, Utah after becoming ill with symptoms of food poisoning. Those sickened were at The Road Home homeless shelter at 210 South Rio Grande. Symptoms included vomiting, nausea, diarrhea, and gastrointestinal pains and cramps, according to the report. Staff at the shelter called for help at about 9:30 pm Sunday, May 31, 2015. People from the men's shelter and the women and family shelter were sickened. None of those sickened are in serious condition. All but one patient has recovered, according to news reports. Three of those sickened were children. The exact cause of the illness has not yet been determined. Public health officials stated that the investigation is just … [Read more...]
Raw Milk Campylobacter Outbreak in Utah This Summer
According to the Salt Lake Tribune, there was a Campylobacter outbreak in Utah this summer linked to raw milk that sickened at least 80 people. Ropelato Dairy was the source of the contaminated milk. One man with a compromised immune system died after drinking the unpasteurized milk. State epidemiologist Cindy Burnett told members of the Legislature that of the 80 people sickened, 20% were hospitalized. Raw milk products sold in Utah must carry a warning label stating that anyone in a high risk group should avoid raw or unpasteurized dairy products. Ropelato Dairy did not put that warning on their products. In August 2014, the Utah Department of health said they were investigating a cluster of illnesses linked to the consumption of raw milk or cream purchased at Ropelato Dairy. The … [Read more...]
