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...]
Utah Campylobacter Outbreak Linked to Ropelato Dairy Raw Milk
Public health officials in Utah are investigating an outbreak of Campylobacter illnesses associated with the consumption of raw milk. So far, 45 people have been diagnosed with the infection. Those people said they consumed raw milk the week before they got sick. Cases have been reported from Cache, Davis, Morgan, Salt Lake, Utah, and Weber counties. Two cases have been reported from out of state residents who live in California and Idaho. The illness onset dates range from May 9, 2014 to July 21, 2014. The case patients range in age from 2 to 74 years. All of the cases are linked to the consumption of raw milk or cream purchased at Ropelato Dairy in Weber County. The license of that dairy to sell raw milk was suspended on August 4, 2014 after tests of raw milk samples at the farm … [Read more...]
