The CDC reports: Shigellosis is a nationally notifiable diarrheal illness caused by gram-negative bacteria. Shigella infection is spread through fecal-oral transmission and sexual contact. Although most infections are self-limited, antibiotics are indicated for severe illness or to reduce transmission in settings with high risk for spread. Since 2015, a growing proportion of cases has been caused by […]
I was reading Kim Archer’s story this morning, “E. coli outbreak’s effects remain in Locust Grove,” in the Tulsa World about the largest E. coli O111 outbreak ever. The 2008 outbreak sickened at least 341 people, killed 1 and sent more that 70 to the hospital, many with life-threatening injuries – many still suffer the […]
Veron Foods, LLC of Prairieville, La. is recalling approximately 500,000 pounds of “ready to eat” sausage and hog head cheese products that may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes, the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry’s Office of Animal Health and Food Safety announced today. The following products are subject to recall: All packages of Veron […]
Listeria monocytogenes (Listeria) is a foodborne disease-causing bacteria; the disease is called listeriosis. Listeria can invade the body through a normal and intact gastrointestinal tract. Once in the body, Listeria can travel through the blood stream but the bacteria are often found inside cells. Listeria also produces toxins that damage cells. Listeria invades and grows […]
The Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention (Maine CDC) is investigating a third case of acute hepatitis A. All three are residents of Waldo County and at least one attended a number of social functions in different areas of Maine while infective which included attendees from across the state. We therefore believe other people […]
What is Hepatitis A? Hepatitis A is one of five human hepatitis viruses (hepatitis A, B, C, D, and E) that primarily infect the liver and cause illness. An estimated 80,000 cases occur each year in the U.S., although much higher estimates have been proposed based on mathematical modeling of the past incidence of infection. […]
No Change in Agency for Regulated Foods Only foods already regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) will be subject to S. 510. Section 403 maintains the existing firewall between FDA and the U.S. Department of Agriculture regulated foods and agricultural products. No Change in Definition of Facility
E. coli O157:H7 was identified for the first time at the CDC in 1975, but it was not until seven years later, in 1982, that E. coli O157:H7 was conclusively determined to be a cause of enteric disease. Following outbreaks of foodborne illness that involved several cases of bloody diarrhea, E. coli O157:H7 was firmly […]
The following is a comprehensive description of the hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), its symptoms, and the complications and long-term risks associated with HUS. (A glossary of terms can be found at the bottom of this entry). Hemolytic uremic syndrome is a severe, life-threatening complication of an E. coli bacterial infection that was first described in […]
Here is Chairman Harkin’s mark-up and section by section summary – this is the version of the bill voted out of the HELP Committee in mid-November and here is the most recently approved version as of last night. Senator Feinstein has not released a copy of her BPA amendment — however, she is now saying […]
Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA), Chairman of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, today issued the following statement on the manager’s package for The FDA Food Safety Modernization Act. Harkin has been working on a bipartisan basis with HELP Committee Ranking Member Mike Enzi (R-WY), authors of the FDA Food Safety Modernization Act Dick […]
Investigators linked traces of salmonella typhi, the bacterium that causes typhoid fever, to a Goya brand frozen fruit product containing mamey fruit pulp. The fruit, also known as zapote and sapote is grown in Central and South America and often used in shakes and smoothies. Typhoid fever has infected four southern Nevadans and five others […]
It seems that there are more recalls and outbreaks than ever, touching every community. As time and resources are short, I wanted to make you aware of new and retooled resources on food safety, foodborne illness, and food policy. Marlerblog: Is my view as a food safety insider and litigator. I use my extensive contacts […]
This CDC report summarizes epidemiologic data for the 1,097 reported outbreaks occurring during 2007 (the most recent finalized data), which resulted in 21,244 cases of foodborne illness and 18 deaths. Outbreaks – Single Etiologic Agent Among the 497 outbreaks (12,767 illnesses) with a confirmed single etiologic agent, bacteria caused 259 (52%) outbreaks with 6,441 (50%) […]
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) A recently published study surveyed the extant scientific literature and noted that post-infectious irritable bowel syndrome (PI-IBS) is a common clinical phenomenon first described over five decades ago. The Walkerton Health Study further notes that: Between 5% and 30% of patients who suffer an acute episode of infectious gastroenteritis develop chronic […]
In the middle of far too many Salmonella Outbreaks, here is Salmonella Information in one easy place.