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5 cases of E. coli STEC confirmed in San Luis Obispo, possibly linked to local pumpkin farm

The San Luis Obispo County Department of Public Health has confirmed five cases of STEC (Shiga toxin-producing E. coli O157:H7) linked to a potential outbreak at Brookshire Farms in San Luis Obispo, California, with multiple children hospitalized. The five cases include two adults and three children, Tom Cuddy, public information officer for the San Luis Obispo Public Health Department (SLOPHD), reported. The children are “seriously ill and in pediatric intensive care,” Cuddy said. The health department said it is investigating a potential link to Brookshire Farms, known for its pumpkin patch, corn maze, hayrides, and other fall activities. Cuddy confirmed that all five patients had visited Brookshire Farms. Anyone who visited Brookshire Farms between Oct. 16 and Oct. 26 and is experiencing symptoms such as abdominal cramping and bloody diarrhea about three to 10 days post-visit should contact their healthcare provider, the department said. Cuddy said additional cases may be identified as the investigation continues. “We are working to determine whether other people may have been exposed and encourage anyone who visited Brookshire Farms during the suspected exposure period and develops symptoms to contact their healthcare provider immediately,” he said. @ https://abcnews.com/Health/5-cases-coli-confirmed-san-luis-obispo-possibly/story?id=137635491

 

 

5 cases of E. coli confirmed in San Luis Obispo, possibly linked to local farm: Health officials

Health officials in central California are reporting five cases of E. coli possibly linked to a local farm.

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FDA advises against eating, selling, or serving cold smoked sprats sold by Haifa Smoked Fish, Inc.

On October 27, 2026, D&M Smoked Fish Inc. (DBA Haifa Smoked Fish, Inc.) initiated a recall of all lots of cold smoked sprats. Recalled sprats were distributed in New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania. Do not eat, sell, or serve recalled cold smoked sprats sold by Haifa Smoked Fish, Inc. @ https://www.fda.gov/food/alerts-advisories-safety-information/fda-advises-not-eat-sell-or-serve-cold-smoked-sprats-sold-haifa-smoked-fish-inc?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery

 

 

Do not eat, sell, or serve recalled cold smoked sprats sold by Haifa Smoked Fish, Inc. due to potential Clostridium botulinum contamination.

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The CORE update for October 28, 2026

The CORE update lists 15 outbreaks and adverse event postings. A new outbreak of Salmonella Javiana (ref #1424) has been added to the table. For the Listeria monocytogenes outbreak (ref #1417), the case count increased from 46 to 50. For the outbreak of Salmonella Javiana (ref #1395) linked to jalapeño peppers, the FDA’s outbreak investigation has closed. The FDA updated the advisory on October 2, 2026, with final information about the outbreak investigation. The outbreak has caused 488 illnesses, 65 hospitalizations, and no deaths. States with cases are: AL, AR, CA, CO, FL, GA, HI, IL, IN, IA, KS, KY, LA, MI, MN, MO, MT, NE, NJ, NM, NC, ND, OH, OK, PA, SC, TN, TX, UT, VA, WA, WV, WI, and WY. The Executive Summary Abstract for the Cyclospora outbreak (ref #1384) linked to an unidentified product is now available. This outbreak investigation was moved to the Closed 2026 Table. For the E. coli O157:H7 outbreak (ref #1421) linked to multi-ingredient wraps with chicken, the outbreak has ended, and there is no ongoing risk to consumers. The investigation identified that the wrap was past its shelf life and is no longer available for purchase. The implicated wraps were proactively removed from the market before the link to the outbreak was established. At the time of the action, illnesses occurred during one week in August. Because these products were removed from sale and the wraps people ate were past their shelf life, more detailed product information would not have given consumers an action they could take to prevent illness. FDA’s outbreak investigation remains active. @ https://www.fda.gov/food/outbreaks-foodborne-illness/investigations-foodborne-illness-outbreaks?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery

 

 

The following is a list of outbreak and adverse event investigations primarily being managed by FDA’s CORE Response Teams.

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The FDA issued a safety alert for Salmonella in Oysters from the Little Wicomico River in Virginia

The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture identified a Salmonella outbreak of S. Telelkebir cases associated with consuming oysters harvested from the Little Wicomico River or Little Wicomico River, Lower. Little Wicomico Oyster Company (VA-1421-SP) has recalled oysters harvested from September 18 through October 8, 2026, and has contacted customers. Little Wicomico Oyster Company has stopped harvesting from the affected area and is cooperating with public health officials. The Virginia Department of Health has temporarily closed Little Wicomico River to shellfish harvesting, effective October 9, 2026. The Salmonella Telelkebir illnesses identified by Pennsylvania as being associated with the consumption of oysters harvested from Little Wicomico River and Little Wicomico River Lower, VA, by Little Wicomico Oyster Company (VA-1421-SP) are part of a cluster of 27 Salmonella Telelkebir illnesses being investigated by the CDC, FDA, and the relevant state authorities. The CDC initially notified the FDA of the Salmonella Telelkebir outbreak, and the FDA continues to partner with the CDC in the investigation and provide assistance, as needed, to state authorities. The FDA advises restaurants and food retailers not to serve or sell, and consumers not to eat, the recalled oysters from Little Wicomico Oyster Company because they may be contaminated with Salmonella. Little Wicomico Oyster Company oysters were distributed to restaurants and retailers in CA, CO, CT, DC, FL, GA, IL, MD, MO, NC, NJ, NV, NY, PA, TX, VA, and may have been further distributed. Restaurants and retailers should dispose of these products by throwing them away or contacting their distributor to arrange for destruction. The FDA continues to monitor the investigation and assist state authorities as needed. As new information becomes available, the FDA will update the safety alert. @ https://www.fda.gov/food/alerts-advisories-safety-information/safety-alert-salmonella-oysters-little-wicomico-river-virginia

 

 

Do not eat, serve, or sell recalled oysters from Little Wicomico Oyster Company (VA-1421-SP) due to the potential for Salmonella contamination.