Similac Cronobacter and Salmonella Newport illnesses are being investigated by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). At least four infants are ill after being fed the formula. Yesterday, the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Services reported that another infant was diagnosed with a Salmonella infection after ingesting the recalled powdered formula. That case is not included in the CDC total. The CDC does not recommend testing infants for Cronobacter infection unless they have symptoms of meningitis or sepsis, even if they consumed recalled formula. Early symptoms of Cronobacter include excessive crying, poor feeding, a fever, and very low energy. Symptoms of meningitis or sepsis include temperature changes, jaundice, grunting breaths, and abnormal … [Read more...]
West Virginia Infant Has Salmonella After Ingesting Powdered Formula
A West Virginia infant has Salmonella after allegedly ingesting recalled powdered infant formula, according to the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources (DHHR). This illness is in addition to the four infants the FDA reported sick with Cronobacter and Salmonella infections in association with certain recalled lots of Similac, EleCare, and Alimentum formula produced by Abbott Nutrition. This is the first case in that state of Salmonella in an infant as a result of consuming the formula. The other cases were from Minnesota, Ohio, and Texas. The FDA says that the products, which were produced at Abbott Nutrition's facility in Sturgis, Michigan, were distributed from September 6, 2021 to December 18, 2021. One infant death was reported, but the FDA says that death may … [Read more...]
Hepatitis A Diagnosed in Food Worker at KFC in Moundsville, WV
A food worker has been diagnosed with hepatitis A at the KFC (Kentucky Fried Chicken) restaurant at 122 Lafayette Avenue in Moundsville, West Virginia. No illnesses have. been reported to officials. That person worked at the restaurant between July 22 and August 5, 2019. That means that anyone who ate food or drank beverages there during that time frame may have been exposed to the virus. The risk of transmission is low, but customers should get a hepatitis A or immune globulin vaccination. Unfortunately, those vaccines are only effective if given within two weeks of exposure. Anyone who ate at the KFC in Moundsville, West Virginia After July 30, 2019 is past the two week window, and they should monitor their health for the symptoms of hepatitis A. People who are infected with … [Read more...]
Employee at Wendy’s in Ripley, WV Diagnosed with Hepatitis A
An employee at the Wendy's restaurant in Ripley, West Virginia was diagnosed with hepatitis A, according to news reports. There is no information about this issue on the Jackson County Health Department website, although the health officer of that agency is quoted in articles. The employee worked between September 14 and September 24, 2018. Anyone who ate at that Wendy's restaurant during that time period may have been exposed to the hepatitis A virus. Dr. I John Snyder, Jackson County health officer, said in a statement, "While the risk of contracting Hepatitis A from visiting this restaurant is very low, people who have not been vaccinated against Hepatitis A and who consumed food at the restaurant between Sept. 14, 2018, and Sept. 24, 2018, should consider getting the … [Read more...]
Five Food Service Workers Diagnosed With Hepatitis A Illnesses in the Charleston, West Virginia Area
Five food service workers in the Charleston, West Virginia area have been diagnosed with hepatitis A, according to a news release issued by the Kanawha-Charleston Health Department. One worker has been identified at each facility at the McDonald’s at 64 Patrick Street in Charleston, Pizza Hut at 603 Third Street in Saint Albans, Paul’s Poplar Park Drive Inn at 9850 Teays Valley Road in Scott Depot, Sakura at 230 Nitro Place in Cross Lanes, and Sam’s Club at 2500 Mountaineer Boulevard in South Charleston. These illnesses are linked to the nationwide hepatitis A outbreak that has sickened hundreds in the U.S. this year. Family members and coworkers are being vaccinated against the pathogenic virus. The infectious periods when the employees were working with food are: McDonald’s, … [Read more...]
West Virginia Officials Recommend Hepatitis A Vaccinations For Food Service Workers
The West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources (DHHR) is requesting that the Kanawha-Charleston Health Department provide hepatitis A vaccination clinics for restaurant and food service employees in those counties. Most of the cases in the hepatitis A outbreak that has plagued West Virginia have occurred in those counties. Dr. Rahul Gupta, State Health Officer and Commissioner of DHHR’s Bureau for Public Health said in a statement, "I am issuing a strong recommendation to all Kanawha and Putnam County food service vendors and restaurants to have their employees vaccinated for hepatitis A, since national data indicate that drug use among the food service industry is about 19.1 percent. Because of the high incidence of drug use reported in West Virginia and among the food … [Read more...]
O’Charley’s Food Service Worker in Charleston West Virginia Diagnosed with Hepatitis A
A food service worker at O'Charley's restaurant at 70 RHL Boulevard in Charleston, West Virginia has been diagnosed with hepatitis A, according to the Kanawha-Charleston Health Department. This is the third investigation involving a food facility since the hepatitis A outbreak began in that state in February 2018. The employee stopped working after the diagnosis, but did work during the time period of April 27 through May 11, 2018. With this illness, people are infectious for two weeks before they even begin displaying symptoms. As a precaution, coworkers at the restaurant have received hepatitis A shots. Inspectors were on site at the establishment and observed food handling procedures. The department of environmental health services did not identify any unsafe food handling … [Read more...]
