In the news

In a publication (Rodwell et al., 2023 The epidemiology of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli O26:H11 (clonal complex 29) in England, 2014–2021. Journal of Infection, vol 86, issue 6, June 2023, 552-562) it is shown that in England, the number of cases of Escherichia coli (STEC) serotype O26:H11 belonging to clonal complex 29 (CC29) has increased over the last 10 years, with the number of notifications in 2021 being eight times that recorded in 2013. This increase is attributed to the increasing number of local hospital laboratories in England that have adopted a PCR approach to GI diagnostics, facilitating their capacity to detect non-O157 STEC serotypes, including STEC O26:H11. However, the PCR implementation attribute to only part of the increase. There has been a year-on-year increase in the notification of cases of STEC O26:H11 in England, except for 2020, when COVID restrictions most likely impacted numbers. @ https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0163445323002062?

CORE update as of May 24, 2023, the CORE list of outbreaks and adverse events includes six active cases, and two cases were added. For the investigation of illnesses with the suspected vehicle of Morel mushrooms (ref # 1152) that was added last week, the FDA issued an advisory on 5/19/2023. The two additions to the table are: (i) an outbreak of Salmonella Enteritidis (ref # 1156) linked to raw cookie dough was added to the table on 5/23/2023. The FDA issued an Outbreak advisory, traceback, an onsite inspection, and sample collection and analysis have been initiated. (ii) an outbreak of Cyclospora cayetanensis (ref # 1155) in a not yet identified product was added. Traceback has been initiated. @ https://www.fda.gov/food/outbreaks-foodborne-illness/investigations-foodborne-illness-outbreaks?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery

The CFIA reported that Fresh Direct Produce had recalled Simply Hot Thai green peppers from the Canadian market place due to possible Salmonella contamination. The product has been sold in Alberta, Saskatchewan and may have been distributed in other provinces and territories. No illnesses were reported due to this product. @ https://recalls-rappels.canada.ca/en/alert-recall/simply-hot-brand-thai-green-peppers-recalled-due-salmonella?utm_source=gc-notify&utm_medium=email&utm_content=en&utm_campaign=hc-sc-rsa-22-23

The CDC reports 18 cases of Salmonella Enteritidis in six states (CA 1, ID 4, MO 1, OR 4, UT 2, and WA 6) linked to Papa Murphy’s raw cookie dough. Two varieties of raw cookie dough, Chocolate chip cookie dough and S’mores bars dough, are linked to the outbreak. Nine sick people reported eating raw cookie dough from Papa Murphy’s Take’ N’ Bake Pizza the week before they got sick. Based on this information, Papa Murphy’s has temporarily stopped selling its raw chocolate chip cookie dough and S’mores bars dough. At least two sick people did not eat at Papa Murphy’s. Investigators are working to identify the contaminated ingredient in the raw cookie dough. Two people have been hospitalized. No deaths have been reported. The company has temporarily stopped selling raw dough. @ https://www.cdc.gov/salmonella/enteritidis-05-23/index.html