Georgia has been hard hit by the mystery E. coli O103 outbreak that has sickened at least 96 people in 5 states. Public health officials still do not know what is causing these illnesses. At least 17 people are sick in Georgia, with three in the hospital because their illnesses are so serious. Others are ill in Kentucky, Ohio, Tennessee, and Virginia. This outbreak was first announced by the Kentucky Department of Health on March 29, 2019, with 20 sick. It has grown very quickly, more than quadrupling in size in 11 days. Officials have not yet said if any food or restaurant or grocery stores is connected to this outbreak. Some news reports stated that fast food may be associated with the illnesses, or some type of food delivery system. Other rumors that have floated around … [Read more...]
E. coli O103 Outbreak Sickens 96 in 5 States; No Source Found
An E. coli O103 outbreak sickens 96 in 5 states, according to the CDC. The outbreak was first announced less than two weeks ago and the number of patients has more than quadrupled in 10 days. Eleven people have been hospitalized. No one has developed hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a type of kidney failure that is a complication of this illness The investigation is still ongoing. No food, restaurant, grocery store, or other source has been identified. Previous reports had mentioned fast food restaurants as a possible source, in addition to foods such as ground beef. But the CDC is not recommending that consumers avoid any food or outlet. The case count by state is: Georgia (17), Kentucky (46), Ohio (5), Tennessee (26), and Virginia (2). The patient age range is from 1 to 81 … [Read more...]
E. coli O103 Outbreak Sickens 72 in 5 States; 8 Hospitalized
The E. coli O103 outbreak that started in Kentucky last week, with 20 sick, has exploded into an outbreak that has sickened at least 72 people in 5 states, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Those illnesses are confirmed. Eight people have been hospitalized. Barbara Fox, Public Information Officer with the Cabinet for Health and Family Affairs in Kentucky, told Food Poisoning Bulletin that 46 are sick in Kentucky, with 6 hospitalized. No source, such as a restaurant or grocery store, and no food, such as ground beef, lettuce, or sprouts, has been named yet. In addition, no patients have developed hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), which is a complication of a Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) infection that can cause kidney failure. That … [Read more...]
Two 2018 Listeria Monocytogenes Outbreaks Sicken 8, Kill One
There were just two Listeria monocytogenes outbreaks in the U.S. in 2018, but the results for those affected were severe. In all, eight people were sickened, all eight were hospitalized because they were so sick, and one person died. The first outbreak was linked to Johnston County Hams. Four people in 2 states were sickened ion that outbreak. One person, who lived in Virginia, died. On October 3, 2018, Johnston County Hams recalled ready-to-eat deli hams. One of the problems with deli meats is that the pathogen can survive the standard cleaning procedures most delis use and can be persistent. In that outbreak, public health investigators used the PulseNet system to find people who were infected with the outbreak strain of Listeria monocytogenes. The illness onset date ranged … [Read more...]
Johnston County Hams Listeria Monocytogenes Outbreak Ends With 4 Sick
The Johnston County Hams Listeria monocytogenes outbreak has ended with four sick, according to a notice posted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). One person who lived in Virginia died, and the remaining four patients were hospitalized because they were so sick. Johnston County Hams, located in Smithfield, North Carolina, recalled their ham products on October 3, 2018 because of this outbreak. Several other secondary recalls were issued. The products that were recalled include: Johnston County Hams, Inc. Country Style Fully Cooked Boneless Deli Ham Ole Fashioned Sugar Cured The Old Dominion Brand Hams Premium Fully Cooked Country Ham with sell-by dates from 4/10/2018 to 9/27/2019 Padow’s Hams & Deli, Inc. Fully Cooked Country ham Boneless Glazed … [Read more...]
Johnston County Ham Listeria Monocytogenes Outbreak Sickens 4 With One Death; Lawsuits Possible
A Listeria monocytogenes outbreak has been linked to ready-to-eat Johnston County Ham Products, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Four people were sickened in this Johnston County Ham Listeria outbreak; all four have been hospitalized, and one person has died. Johnston County Hams recalled five of their products after this outbreak was identified. Check your freezer to see if you have purchased any of these products. If you have, throw them away or take them back, even if some ham was eaten and no one got sick. Bacteria are not always distributed evenly throughout food. The patient case count by state in this Johnston County Ham Listeria outbreak is: North Carolina (1) and Virginia (3). The person who died lived in Virginia. The patient age range … [Read more...]
Johnston County Hams Recalled After Listeria Outbreak Identified
Johnston County Hams has recalled about 89,096 pounds of ready-to-eat ham products after a Listeria monocytogenes outbreak was identified. At least four people are sick in this outbreak, and one person has died. They are: varying weights of 7 to 8 pound Johnston County Hams, Inc. Country Style Fully Cooked Boneless Deli Ham; varying weights of 7 to 8 pound plastic-wrapped Ole Fashioned Sugar Cured The Old Dominion Brand Hams Premium Fully Cooked Country Ham with sell-by dates from 4/10/2018 to 9/27/2019; and varying weights of plastic wrapped 7 to 8 pound Padow’s Hams & Deli, Inc. Fully Cooked Country ham Boneless Glazed with Brown Sugar. Also recalled are different weights of 7 to 8 pound Premium Fully Cooked Country Ham Less Salt Distributed by Valley Country Hams, LLC. with … [Read more...]
Kosher Chicken Linked to Deadly Salmonella Outbreak; Lawsuits Possible
Kosher chicken is linked to a deadly Salmonella outbreak that has sickened 17 people in four states and has hospitalized eight patients. One person in New York has died, according to the CDC. In interviews several ill persons reported that they ate Empire Kosher brand chicken. Epidemiologic and laboratory evidence indicates that some kosher chicken products are contaminated with Salmonella I 4,[5],12:i:-. The outbreak strain of bacteria was identified in samples of raw kosher chicken that were collected from two facilities, including one facility that processes Empire Kosher brand chicken. The four states where patients live include Maryland, New York, Pennsylvania, and Virginia. The illness onset dates range from September 25, 2017 to June 4, 2018. The CDC began investigating … [Read more...]
Multistate Salmonella Braenderup Outbreak Linked to Rose Acre Farms Shell Eggs Grows to 35 Sick; Lawsuits May Be Filed
The multistate Salmonella Braenderup outbreak linked to recalled Rose Acre Farms shell eggs has now sickened 35 people in nine states. Eleven people have been hospitalized, and no deaths have been reported. The case count by state is: Colorado (1), Florida (2), New Jersey (1), New York (8), North Carolina (5), Pennsylvania (6), South Carolina (3), Virginia (8), and West Virginia (1). Eleven people have been hospitalized, which at 39% is a high percentage for a Salmonella outbreak. The patient age range is from 1 to 90 years. Illness started on dates ranging from November 16, 2017 to April 14, 2018. Attorney Ryan Osterholm said, "Eggs have been a risky food for years, but they should not contain enough bacteria to make someone sick. No one should be hospitalized just because … [Read more...]
Number Three in the Top 10 Food Poisoning Outbreaks of 2017: Salmonella Outbreak at Chincoteague VA Cook Off
The Salmonella javiana outbreak at the Chincoteague Chili Chowder Cook Off in Virginia in September 2017 was the third largest food poisoning outbreak this year. That event was held on September 30, 2017 in Chincoteague. At least 180 people from ten states were sickened in that outbreak. The outbreak was linked to Crab Shack Clam chowder after epidemiological and laboratory investigations. The outbreak strain was identified in lab specimens taken from patient samples. Then, the Division of Consolidated Laboratory Services found the same strain of Salmonella in a sample of chowder taken from someone who was served the soup at the event. Many food vendors were present at this event, which was sponsored by the Chincoteague Volunteer Fire Company. It was difficult for public health … [Read more...]
