ruth
CORE update of September 13, 2023, the CORE list of outbreaks and adverse events includes six active cases. No new cases were reported this week. The only addition this week is for the outbreak of Salmonella Newport (ref #1179) in a not yet identified product, the FDA has initiated on-site inspection and sample collection. @ 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.
ruth
Japanese researchers from the Toyo University published in J. Food Protection V86, issue 10 (October) 2023, 100149 on a case study of Environmental monitoring programs (EMPs)in food manufacturing facilities for Listeria. EMPs for Listeria were conducted at three food production facilities to assess the efficacy of sanitation control and establish effective sanitation control methods. In Facility A, L. monocytogenes was detected in Zone 3, non-food-contact surfaces. Normal cleaning and disinfection with carbonated hypochlorite water (chlorine concentration, 150 ppm) proved effective. At Facility B, a salad product and its ingredients (pastrami and salami) were positive for L. monocytogenes serotype 3b. The bacterial count was <10/g in all samples. Sliced salami and pastrami were contaminated with L. monocytogenes from the slicer. In Facility C, L. monocytogenes serotype 4b (4e) was detected in all the dirty, semi clean, and clean areas. The strain was also isolated from the wheels of a smoking cart transported across the zones. EMP revealed the sources of Listeria in the facilities.@ https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0362028X23068333
ruth
The Alberta health inspectors have reported that they found major health issues, including cockroach infestations and unsafe food handling, at a shared kitchen used by several daycares hit by a widespread E. coli outbreak. The outbreak is linked to a central kitchen serving many daycares. There have been 264 lab-confirmed cases of E. coli connected to the outbreak. AHS said the inspection also found instances of food not being handled in a manner that makes it safe to eat and a lack of appropriate equipment for keeping food cold during transportation. The kitchen is closed and will only reopen once AHS determines it is safe. In a statement to CBC News late Tuesday afternoon, Kent Hehr, vice president of Fueling Brains, said their daycares source food from Fueling Minds, a catering company providing food to other daycare centers. There are currently 25 patients receiving care in the hospital, the province said in an emailed media release — 22 of whom are confirmed as having HUS. Six patients are receiving peritoneal dialysis at Alberta Children’s Hospital. The children with severe illness are all in stable condition and receive the care they need in the hospital. Children and families receive care and support at three outpatient clinics in Calgary hospitals. Eleven child-care facilities were closed as part of the outbreak investigation. @ https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/alberta-health-minister-cmoh-1.6963878
Alberta health inspectors have disclosed they found major health issues, including cockroach infestations and unsafe food handling, at a shared kitchen used by several daycares hit by a widespread e. Coli outbreak.
ruth
The CDC published (Chen JC, Patel K, Smith PA, et al. Reoccurring Escherichia coli O157:H7 Strain Linked to Leafy Greens–Associated Outbreaks, 2016–2019. Emerging Infectious Diseases. 2023;29(9):1895-1899. doi:10.3201/eid2909.230069.) In late 2015, a new strain of E. coli O157:H7 linked to outbreaks in leafy greens emerged. The strain is reoccurring, emerging, or persistent, causing illnesses over an extended period. A specific strain of E. coli O157:H7 associated with leafy greens has been the source of ongoing enteric illness since late 2016. This strain is estimated to have emerged in late 2015 and consists of 2 clades with different geographic distributions, 1 of which has notable genomic features. An additional outbreak associated with this strain was detected in late 2020, in which a reported 40 infections occurred in 19 states; 20 persons were hospitalized, and 4 developed hemolytic uremic syndrome. In foodborne illness, it was estimated that in 2020, 58.1% of E. coli O157:H7 illnesses were attributed to vegetable row crops, including leafy greens. During 2009–2018, a total of 32 confirmed or suspected outbreaks of E. coli O157:H7 infections linked to contaminated leafy greens occurred in the United States and Canada.@ https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/eid/article/29/9/23-0069_article#:~:text=This%20strain%20is%20a%20reoccurring,States%20each%20year%20(1)
Reoccurring E. coli Strain Linked to Leafy Greens
