A new federal study released today has found that it's possible that cow manure contaminates wells in a county in Wisconsin and causes Cryptosporidium illnesses. The researchers looked at private wells in Kewaunee County, which is in northeastern Wisconsin on Lake Michigan. The county has a population of about 20,000 people, but there are 100,000 head of cattle in the area. About 12,000 residents get their water from private wells. The study used data from a countrywide pathogen occurrence study that lasted for a year. The scientist put the numbers into a quantitative microbial risk assessment to predict the cases of acute gastrointestinal illness linked to those wells. The results found that private well contamination could cause more than 300 acute gastrointestinal illnesses per … [Read more...]
Wawona Peaches Salmonella Outbreak Number Three of 2020
The Wawona Peaches Salmonella outbreak was the number three multistate outbreak of 2020, with at least 101 sick in 17 states. There were many primary and secondary recalls of bagged and bulk peaches and peach products related to this outbreak. The patient case count by state was: California (1), Connecticut (1), Illinois (1), Iowa (11), Kansas (1), Kentucky (1), Maryland (1), Michigan (18), Minnesota (27), Missouri (2), New Jersey (8), New York (14), Ohio (1), Pennsylvania (4), Vermont (1), Virginia (3), and Wisconsin (6). Illness onset dates ranged from June 29, 2020 to August 27, 2020. The patient age range was from 1 to 92 years. Of 90 patients who gave information about their illness to investigators, 28 were hospitalized, for a hospitalization rate of 31%, which is … [Read more...]
CDC Updates Second Mystery E. coli O157:H7 Outbreak; Romaine?
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has updated the second mystery E. coli O157:H7 outbreak that may be associated with leafy greens or romaine lettuce. This outbreak has now sickened at least 39 people in 18 states. There are three unsolved multistate E. coli O157:H7 outbreaks ongoing at this time; all of the investigation notices mention leafy greens, and one mentions an unnamed restaurant. The outbreak investigation notice states that "This outbreak is different from the two other E. coli O157:H7 outbreaks CDC is currently investigating." This is the same strain of E. coli O157:H7 which caused a massive outbreak last year that was linked to romaine lettuce from the Salinas Valley growing region in California. At least 167 people were sickened in that outbreak … [Read more...]
Wood Ear Mushroom Salmonella Outbreak Ends With 55 Sick
The wood ear mushroom Salmonella outbreak has ended with 55 sick in 12 states, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Six people were hospitalized because they were so sick. The mushrooms, imported by Wismettac Asian Foods, were recalled in October 2020. The patient case count has increased by 12 since the last outbreak update almost a month ago. And two states, Oregon and Washington, were added to the outbreak state count. The patient case count by state is: Arizona (1), California (33), Connecticut (1), Georgia (1), Illinois (5), Louisiana (1), New Jersey (2), New York (1), Oregon (1), Pennsylvania (2), Washington (5) and Wisconsin (2). The patient age range is from 2 to 74 years. Illness onset dates range from January 21, 2020 to September 19, 2020. … [Read more...]
Second Secret E. coli Outbreak Sickens 23 in 12 States, Hospitalizes 10
A second secret E. coli outbreak has sickened 23 people and hospitalized 10, according to information released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) late last night. The first outbreak, which was caused by a different strain of E. coli O157:H7, was also announced last night. This outbreak is caused by the same strain of bacteria that contaminated romaine lettuce and sickened 167 people in 27 states in 2019. While this information is significant, it doesn't mean that this outbreak was caused by leafy greens. A specific food has not been identified yet, and the government is not making any recommendations for consumers to avoid any particular food. But in another twist, the outbreak investigation statement says, "State and local public health officials are … [Read more...]
CDC Announces Two Mystery E. coli Outbreaks; Leafy Greens?
Tonight the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced two mystery E. coli outbreaks that may be linked to leafy greens that have sickened 44 people and hospitalized 18; three have developed HUS and one person has died. In the first outbreak, 21 people in 8 states are ill. Eight people have been hospitalized, and one person who lived in Michigan has died. Illness onset dates range from June 6, 2020 to October 5, 2020. The patient age range is from 2 to 75 years. Of 16 people who gave information to investigators, eight were hospitalized. One person developed HUS. The patient case count by state is: California (7), Florida (1), Illinois (1), Michigan (2), New Jersey (1), Ohio (7), Utah (1), and Wisconsin (1). The strain of E. coli O157:H7 causing illness in … [Read more...]
Peach Salmonella Enteritidis Outbreak Ends With 101 Sick in 17 States
The peach Salmonella Enteritidis outbreak has ended in the United States after 101 people in 17 states have been sickened. Twenty-eight people were hospitalized because they were so sick. That is an increase of 23 more cases since the last update on August 27, 2020. The case count by state is: California (1), Connecticut (1), Illinois (1), Iowa (11), Kansas (1), Kentucky (1), Maryland (1), Michigan (18), Minnesota (27), Missouri (2), New Jersey (8), New York (14), Ohio (1), Pennsylvania (4), Vermont (1) Virginia (3), and Wisconsin (6). Illness onset dates range from June 29, 2020 to August 27, 2020. And the patient age range is from 1 to 92 years. Of 90 people who gave information about their illness to investigators, 28 were hospitalized. That hospitalization rate of 31% is … [Read more...]
Red Onion Salmonella Outbreak Ends With 1,127 Sick
The red onion Salmonella outbreak ends, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), with 1,127 sick in 48 states and 167 people hospitalized. While the outbreak is over, there is still risk to consumers because these onions could be in home pantries and freezers. That's an increase of 115 more patients and one more state, Oklahoma, since the last update on September 1, 2020. The patient case count by state is: Alaska (25), Alabama (2), Arizona (39), Arkansas (2), California (128), Colorado (32), Connecticut (2), Delaware (2), Florida (8), Georgia (11), Hawaii (3), Idaho (43), Illinois (54), Indiana (4), Iowa (31), Kansas (3), Kentucky (3), Maine (6), Maryland (7), Massachusetts (2), Michigan (47), Minnesota (19), Mississippi (5), Missouri (11), Montana (72), … [Read more...]
Salmonella Stanley Wood Ear Mushroom Outbreak Sickens 43
The Salmonella Stanley wood ear mushroom outbreak has now sickened at least 43 people in 10 states, according to the FDA. Out outbreak is likely linked to wood ear mushrooms imported by Wismettac Asian Foods of Santa Fe Springs, California. This dried mushroom is also known as Kikurage, Dried Black Fungus, Dried Fungus, or Mu'er/Mu Er/Mu-Err. Almost 90% of 18 people interviewed by the government said they ate ramen at a restaurant the week before they starting feeling sick. Four illness clusters were identified at restaurants that serve ramen in three states. The California Department of Public Health collected samples of those Wismettac Asian Foods mushrooms from one of the restaurants where a patient ate. On October 1, 2020, officials said that whole genome sequencing … [Read more...]
Salmonella Wood Ear Mushroom Outbreak Grows to 43 Sick
The Salmonella wood ear mushroom outbreak has now sickened at least 43 people in 10 states, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Four people have been hospitalized because they are so sick. The mushrooms were imported and distributed from Wismettac Asian Foods and were sold only to restaurants. However, some people may have leftovers containing these mushrooms in their home.. The mushrooms were sold in six packs of five-pound bags labeled Shirakiku brand Black Fungus (Kikurage) with UPC number 00074410604305, and item #60403, imported from China. The patient case count by state is: Arizona (1), California (27), Connecticut (1), Georgia (1), Illinois (5), Louisiana (1), New Jersey (2), New York (1), Pennsylvania (2), and Wisconsin (2). Illness onset … [Read more...]
