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The outbreak investigation of E. coli O157:H7 in raw Cheddar Cheese is over (February 2024)

The FDA CDC, in collaboration with state and local partners, investigated a multistate outbreak of E. coli O157:H7 linked to all sizes of RAW FARM-brand Raw Cheddar cheese blocks (with best by dates through 10/4/2024) and shredded cheese (with best by dates through 5/10/2024). As part of this investigation, CO, CA, and UT officials collected various RAW FARM-brand products for testing, and all samples were negative for E. coli. While E. coli has not been found in product samples, epidemiologic evidence shows that RAW FARM-brand Raw Cheddar cheese made by RAW FARM, LLC is the likely source of this outbreak.   As of March 26, 2024, the CDC announced that the outbreak is over. CDC reports 11 illnesses in five states (CA, CO, NJ, TX, and UT). There have been a total of five hospitalizations, two of which developed HUS. No deaths were reported. The last illness onset date was February 5, 2024. FDA’s outbreak investigation is closed. @ https://www.fda.gov/food/outbreaks-foodborne-illness/outbreak-investigation-e-coli-o157h7-raw-cheddar-cheese-february-2024?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery

 

FDA’s Outbreak Investigation is closed. CDC declares outbreak over.

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The FSA reported that Morrisons recalls The Best Taleggio because of contamination with Listeria monocytogenes

The FSA reported that Morrisons is taking precautionary action by urgently recalling The Best Taleggio because Listeria monocytogenes have been found in the product. The supermarket chain has had to take The Best Taleggio off its shelves because it was found that some packs may contain Listeria monocytogenes. The product recalled is 200g and has the best before date of April 14, 2024. @ https://www.food.gov.uk/news-alerts/alert/fsa-prin-11-2024

 

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In Canada, an outbreak of Salmonella Lome infections linked to geckos

The Public Health Agency of Canada is investigating an outbreak of Salmonella infections in seven provinces. According to the investigation findings, exposure to geckos has been identified as a likely source of the outbreak. Many individuals who became sick reported having direct or indirect contact with geckos or the environments where these pets were kept before their illnesses occurred. Salmonella with the same outbreak strain was found in a gecko habitat from the home of an ill individual. The outbreak is ongoing, as recent illnesses are reported to the Public Health Agency of Canada. As of March 22, 2024, there are 35 confirmed cases of Salmonella Lome illness reported in this outbreak in the following provinces: British Columbia (2), Alberta (2), Saskatchewan (2), Manitoba (2), Ontario (18), Quebec (8) and New Brunswick (1). Individuals became sick between March 2020 and January 2024. Five individuals have been hospitalized. No deaths have been reported. The collaborative outbreak investigation was initiated in March 2024 because of increased reports of Salmonella illnesses in multiple jurisdictions across Canada. Using WGS, it was determined that the same outbreak strain caused some Salmonella illnesses dating back to 2020 as those in 2024. 

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STEC E. coli O157:H7 infections from PCC Community Markets in West Seattle

The Public Health in Seattle is investigating an outbreak of STEC E. coli O157:H7. Three of the five people who got sick had testing that matched by genetic fingerprinting. Based on the information collected, the one common source for all sick people was store-made guacamole purchased at PCC Community Markets in West Seattle Co-op on February 10, 2024. This outbreak appears to be over. Since February 21, 2024, Public Health found five people who got sick between February 14 and February 28, 2024. All five people had symptoms of STEC. Four people who became sick had testing that was positive for STEC O157:H7. Three people also had further testing, which showed they matched by whole genome sequencing or WGS at the Washington State Public Health Laboratory. One person who became sick did not have any testing done. @ https://kingcounty.gov/en/dept/dph/health-safety/disease-illness/foodborne-illness-outbreaks/2024-march-21-pcc