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. Eighty-eight percent of 25 people sickened in this Salmonella Braenderup outbreak who were interviewed said they ate shell eggs before they got sick. Sixty-four percent said they ate … [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...]
Salmonella Javiana Outbreak at Chincoteague VA Cook Off Linked to Crab Shack Clam Chowder
The Salmonella javiana outbreak at the Chincoteague Chili Chowder Cook Off in Virginia was caused by Crab Shack Clam chowder. That event was held in Chincoteague, Virginia, on September 30, 2017. At least 180 people from at least ten states were sickened in that outbreak. This strain of Salmonella was first identified by the Division of Consolidated Laboratory Services in human specimens. Healthcare providers and health officials from event attendees sent those samples. DCLS found the same strain in a sample of the chowder that was obtained from someone who was served the product during the event. There is no word on whether pulsed field-gel electrophoresis (PFGE) or whole genome sequencing (WGS) was used to identify the outbreak strain. The event was sponsored by the … [Read more...]
Salmonella Sickens 150 After Chincoteague Chili Cook-Off in VA
At least 150 people from as many as eight states have been sickened in the Salmonella outbreak linked to the Chincoteague Chili Chowder Cook-Off in Chincoteague, Virginia. Delaware is the only state that has posted an announcement of this outbreak on their web site. People who attended that event live in that state, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Maryland, West Virginia, and North Carolina, as well as Virginia. Dr. David Matson, director of the Eastern Shore Health District told DelMarVa Now, "We are positive it is a Salmonella outbreak." According to that paper, more than 20 cultures from different laboratories in Maryland and Virginia tested positive for Salmonella. The cook off was held on September 30, 2017. Some of those sickened may have been hospitalized, although … [Read more...]
Chincoteague Chili Cook Off Outbreak Caused by Salmonella
News outlets are reporting that the food poisoning outbreak at the Chincoteague Chili Chowder Cook Off in Virginia on September 30, 2017 was apparently caused by Salmonella. The Division of Consolidated Laboratory Services in Richmond found Salmonella bacteria in specimens associated with the event. More than 2,000 people attended that event. Dozens are apparently sick, but officials have not given specific numbers. There is no word on whether or not anyone has been hospitalized, the age range of the patients, or suspected foods. All attendees of that event are being asked to complete an online survey put up by the Accomack County Health Department so public health authorities can narrow the scope of their investigation and focus on probable foods. No foods that may be associated … [Read more...]
Food Poisoning Outbreak at VA Chincoteague Chili Cook-off
A possible food poisoning outbreak at the 18th Annual Chincoteague Chili Chowder Cook-off and Car Show is being investigated by the Virginia Department of Health. That event was held on September 30, 2017. Officials have issued a press release that states, "we are expanding our investigation and are reaching out to the Hampton Roads area as well." There is no information about the symptoms people are experiencing, foods they are concentrating on, or how many people may have been sickened or hospitalized. Anyone who attended that event, whether sick or well, is asked to complete a survey to help officials investigate and solve the outbreak. The survey takes about 5 to 10 minute to complete. Participation is voluntary and responses and any personal information will remain … [Read more...]
E. coli-HUS Outbreak in Virginia in March 2016 Associated with Raw Milk
An E. coli outbreak associated with raw milk that occurred in March 2016 was announced at the Virginia Department of Health Field Epidemiology Seminar, held on June 2, 2017 in Fredericksburg, Virginia. Daniel Ferrell, MPH, District Epidemiologist for the Rappahannock-Rapidan Health district presented the information. In March 2016, a doctor notified the Virginia Department of Health of four hospitalized patients who were diagnosed with Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) infections. Two of those patients developed hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). All of the patients consumed raw milk from a farm in the Rappahannock-Rapidan Health District as part of a herd-share program. Officials continued to receive more report of patients with STEC infections or HUS who had also consumed raw … [Read more...]
Illnesses at Chipotle Mexican Grill in Sterling, Virginia
An outbreak of illness has sickened about 60 people after they ate at the Chipotle Mexican Grill in Sterling, Virginia, according to the Loudoun County Health Department. Dr. David Goodfriend, director of the department, said, "one ill patron has tested positive for norovirus. This provides additional information but is not sufficient to determine the cause of the outbreak. The Health Department is awaiting further test results, which should be available early next week." On Monday, July 17, 2017, LCHD was notified by the Chipotle Mexican Grill at 21031 Tripleseven Road, Sterling, VA 20165, and by local medical providers of customers complaining of nausea, vomiting and/or diarrhea over the previous two days. The restaurant closed voluntarily. Health Department officials investigated … [Read more...]
