Shiloh
Editor, Senior Moderator
Source: http://www.cidrap.umn.edu/news-perspective/2014/08/food-outbreak-scan-aug-14-2014
Food Outbreak Scan for Aug 14, 2014
More Cyclospora cases; Chia Salmonella outbreak over
Filed Under:
Cyclospora; Foodborne Disease; Salmonella
Cyclospora infection total rises to 283, some travel-linked
States reported another bump in Cyclospora cases last week, and health officials are still trying to determine how many are travel-related and if there is a common source for the locally acquired cases. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said that as of Aug 12 it had been notified of 283 Cyclospora infections, 48 more than the previous week.
The number of affected states remained at 21, but 57% (160) of the cases were reported in Texas. CDC officials told CIDRAP News that at least 116 Texas patients reported no travel during the 2 weeks before they got sick. Interviews with patients in other states have revealed that 34 of 123 likely acquired their illnesses during travel abroad. So far 64 of the people interviewed said they did not travel before becoming ill.
The CDC said that more patients are being interviewed to determine what percentage of cases were linked to travel and that federal, state, and local officials are collaborating. The agency is working with its partners to see if more people and states are affected.
Nationally, most of the cases were reported in July, and outbreak investigations are underway in Texas and Michigan. The CDC said Maine and Massachusetts are also investigating increases in Cyclospora infections.
The Texas Department of State Health Services (TDSHS) said in an Aug 12 update that the state experienced a surge of Cyclospora infections starting in the middle of June and that a common source has not yet been identified. So far 37 of the state's 254 counties have reported cases, 3 more than the previous week. Counties reporting the most cases are Dallas (35), Tarrant (18), Harris (13), and Collin (10).
Last summer Texas was the hardest-hit state in a Cyclospora outbreak that sickened at least 631 people in 25 states and New York City. Past foodborne outbreaks have been linked to many kinds of imported fresh produce, including raspberries, basil, snow peas, and mesclun.
Aug 12 TDSHS update
US-Canada Salmonella outbreak tied to chia sprouts called over
US and Canadian public health agencies yesterday declared that an outbreak of salmonellosis tied to organic chia sprouts is over after causing at least 63 illnesses in Canada and 31 in the United States.
US cases were reported in 16 states, the CDC said, and six new cases have been confirmed since the CDC's last update on Jul 17. Twenty of the 31 cases involved Salmonella Newport, 7 involvedthe Hartford strain, and 4 involved Salmonella Oranienburg.
Illness-onset dates ranged from Jan 21 to Jul 22. Patients ranged in age from 1 to 81 years, with a median age of 48. Five patients were hospitalized, but no deaths were recorded.
"As a result of this investigation, several recalls of products containing organic sprouted chia powder and chia seeds were issued," the CDC said.
Aug 13 CDC update
In Canada, the 63 cases were confirmed in British Columbia (14), Alberta (10), Ontario (35), and Quebec (4), the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) said. Four of the cases were not previously reported.
Twelve of the 63 patients were hospitalized, 9 of whom have been discharged. No deaths were reported. In addition to the strains infecting US patients, PHAC noted a fourth strain: Salmonella Saintpaul.
"Given that no new cases have occurred since the beginning of July, this outbreak appears to be over and the investigation is now closed," PHAC said.
Aug 13 PHAC notice
Food Outbreak Scan for Aug 14, 2014
More Cyclospora cases; Chia Salmonella outbreak over
Filed Under:
Cyclospora; Foodborne Disease; Salmonella
Cyclospora infection total rises to 283, some travel-linked
States reported another bump in Cyclospora cases last week, and health officials are still trying to determine how many are travel-related and if there is a common source for the locally acquired cases. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said that as of Aug 12 it had been notified of 283 Cyclospora infections, 48 more than the previous week.
The number of affected states remained at 21, but 57% (160) of the cases were reported in Texas. CDC officials told CIDRAP News that at least 116 Texas patients reported no travel during the 2 weeks before they got sick. Interviews with patients in other states have revealed that 34 of 123 likely acquired their illnesses during travel abroad. So far 64 of the people interviewed said they did not travel before becoming ill.
The CDC said that more patients are being interviewed to determine what percentage of cases were linked to travel and that federal, state, and local officials are collaborating. The agency is working with its partners to see if more people and states are affected.
Nationally, most of the cases were reported in July, and outbreak investigations are underway in Texas and Michigan. The CDC said Maine and Massachusetts are also investigating increases in Cyclospora infections.
The Texas Department of State Health Services (TDSHS) said in an Aug 12 update that the state experienced a surge of Cyclospora infections starting in the middle of June and that a common source has not yet been identified. So far 37 of the state's 254 counties have reported cases, 3 more than the previous week. Counties reporting the most cases are Dallas (35), Tarrant (18), Harris (13), and Collin (10).
Last summer Texas was the hardest-hit state in a Cyclospora outbreak that sickened at least 631 people in 25 states and New York City. Past foodborne outbreaks have been linked to many kinds of imported fresh produce, including raspberries, basil, snow peas, and mesclun.
Aug 12 TDSHS update
US-Canada Salmonella outbreak tied to chia sprouts called over
US and Canadian public health agencies yesterday declared that an outbreak of salmonellosis tied to organic chia sprouts is over after causing at least 63 illnesses in Canada and 31 in the United States.
US cases were reported in 16 states, the CDC said, and six new cases have been confirmed since the CDC's last update on Jul 17. Twenty of the 31 cases involved Salmonella Newport, 7 involvedthe Hartford strain, and 4 involved Salmonella Oranienburg.
Illness-onset dates ranged from Jan 21 to Jul 22. Patients ranged in age from 1 to 81 years, with a median age of 48. Five patients were hospitalized, but no deaths were recorded.
"As a result of this investigation, several recalls of products containing organic sprouted chia powder and chia seeds were issued," the CDC said.
Aug 13 CDC update
In Canada, the 63 cases were confirmed in British Columbia (14), Alberta (10), Ontario (35), and Quebec (4), the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) said. Four of the cases were not previously reported.
Twelve of the 63 patients were hospitalized, 9 of whom have been discharged. No deaths were reported. In addition to the strains infecting US patients, PHAC noted a fourth strain: Salmonella Saintpaul.
"Given that no new cases have occurred since the beginning of July, this outbreak appears to be over and the investigation is now closed," PHAC said.
Aug 13 PHAC notice