Salmonella

  • 337 sick from salmonella in sausage, France, 2011

    Posted: February 6th, 2012 - 11:26pm by Doug Powell

    Those supermarket loyalty cards helped pin down an outbreak of salmonella in sausage in France last year.

    Researchers reported in Eurosurveillance last week that an outbreak of the monophasic variant of Salmonella enterica serotype 4,[5],12:i:- occurred in November and December 2011 in France. Epidemiological investigation and food investigation with the help of supermarket loyalty cards suggested dried pork sausage from one producer as the most likely source of the outbreak. Despite the absence of positive food samples, control measures including withdrawal and recall were implemented.

    Between 31 October and 18 December (week 44 to week 50), a total of 337 cases of Salmonella enterica serotype 4,[5],12:i:- were identified. The median age was 10 years (range: 0–90 years) with about 30% of children under five. A majority of women were affected (female to male sex ratio: 1.22). Cases were reported throughout France.

    An epidemic of Salmonella enterica 4,[5],12:i:- was already observed about three months prior to this outbreak. Between 1 August and 9 October, 682 cases were reported (Figure 1), of whom 100 cases were interviewed at the time but no common vehicle of infection could be identified. In comparison, 212 cases with this serotype had been isolated during the same period in 2010.

    Epidemiological investigations pointed to a dried pork sausage purchased principally at supermarket chain A and consumed after week 44, 2011. Therefore purchases of pork delicatessen at supermarkets A and B up to four weeks prior to symptom onset were investigated by the DGAL using data recorded through supermarket loyalty cards.

    The use of the loyalty card from supermarket chain A was important to identify the vehicle of infection and the local producer involved in this outbreak. These cards are used more and more and prove helpful in the investigation of food-related outbreaks. Nevertheless we should keep in mind that they do not necessarily reflect the consumption of cases perfectly. For instance, the card may not be used systematically, the household can purchase foods in additional shops and markets for which they have no loyalty cards, many food products are consumed outside the household and not recorded on the card, and the central database of the supermarket does not always contain data on all foods sold such as foods directly purchased by the retailers. For these reasons the data have to be interpreted together with the results from epidemiological and microbiological investigations.

    That the producer and microbiological analysis did not find Salmonella does not exclude contamination. The limited number of samples and the processing of the food (especially salting and drying) reduce the likelihood of isolating the bacteria. Implementing checks earlier in the process (before salting and drying) and using additional methods of testing such as polymerase chain reaction (PCR) should be considered.

    This is the second described outbreak in France involving dried pork sausage, and indicates that this food item might be a likely vehicle of infection and further outbreaks in humans may be expected.

    Given the limitations to detect Salmonella in dried sausages, the ability of the standard reference method to detect of monophasic variant strains in dried sausages is questionable. Additional methods should be explored in order to improve monitoring protocols.

    The complete report is available at http://www.eurosurveillance.org/ViewArticle.aspx?ArticleId=20071.
     

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    food safety, France, loyalty card, Outbreak, Pork, salmonella, sausage, Supermarket
  • Don’t kiss that turtle: 132 sick in 2011 salmonella outbreak

    Posted: February 2nd, 2012 - 11:15pm by Doug Powell

    I still regret cuddling up to my pet turtle, but what did I know?

    The U.S. Centers for Disease Control is collaborating with the Pennsylvania State Health Department in an ongoing investigation of an outbreak of human Salmonella enterica serotype Paratyphi B var. L (+) tartrate + infections associated with pet turtle exposures (MMWR, 61(04);79).

    Turtles have long been recognized as sources of human Salmonella infections and are a particular risk to young children (1). Although the sale or distribution of small turtles (those with carapace lengths <4 inches [<10.2 cm]) has been prohibited in the United States since 1975 (with exceptions for scientific or educational purposes) (2), they are still available for illegal purchase through transient vendors on the street, at flea markets, and at fairs.

    During August 5, 2010–September 26, 2011, a total of 132 cases of human Salmonella Paratyphi B var. L (+) tartrate + infection were reported in 18 states. The median age of patients was 6 years (range: <1–75 years), 66% were aged <10 years, and 63% were female. No deaths were reported. Of the 56 patients interviewed, 36 (64%) reported turtle exposure. For 15 patients who could recall the type of turtle contacted, 14 identified turtles too small to be legally traded. Five samples of turtle tank water from patient homes tested positive for the outbreak strain (four from Pennsylvania and one from South Carolina). Investigation to trace the source of these turtles is difficult because the vendors are transient. These cases illustrate that small turtles remain a source of human Salmonella infections, especially for young children.

    Although many reptiles carry Salmonella, small turtles pose a greater risk to young children because they are perceived as safe pets, are small enough to be placed in the mouth, and can be handled as toys. Despite a 30-year ban on small turtles, this ongoing outbreak suggests that ban enforcement efforts, as well as public education efforts, have not been fully successful and should be examined.

    In 2010, in response to a 2007 lawsuit filed by the Independent Turtle Farmers of Louisiana, Inc. seeking to overturn the ban, a federal district court upheld the Food and Drug Administration's authority to enforce the ban (3). Regulating the sale of small turtles likely remains the most effective public health action to prevent turtle-associated salmonellosis (4,5).

    Reported by
    Andre Weltman, MD, Aaron Smee, MPH, Maria Moll, MD, Marshall Deasy, Pennsylvania Dept of Public Health. Jeshua Pringle, MPH, Ian Williams, PhD, MS, Casey Barton Behravesh, DVM, DrPH, Jennifer Wright, DVM, Div of Foodborne, Waterborne, and Environmental Diseases, National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases; Janell Routh, MD, Allison Longenberger, PhD, EIS officers, CDC. Corresponding contributor: Janell Routh, jrouth@cdc.gov, 404-718-1153.

    References
    CDC. Multistate outbreak of human Salmonella Typhimurium infections associated with pet turtle exposure—United States, 2008. MMWR 2010;59:191–6.
    Code of Federal Regulations. Turtles intrastate and interstate requirements, 21 C.F.R. Sect. 1240.62 (2011). Available athttp://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cdrh/cfdocs/cfcfr/cfrsearch.cfm?fr=1240.62 . Accessed January 24, 2012.
    Independent Turtle Farmers of Louisiana v. United States, 703 F. Supp. 2d 604 W.D. La (March 30, 2010). Available athttp://dockets.justia.com/docket/louisiana/lawdce/1:2007cv00856/103949 . Accessed January 24, 2012.
    Harris J, Neil K, Barton Behravesh C, Sotir M, Angulo F. Recent multistate outbreaks of human Salmonella infections acquired from turtles: a continuing public health challenge. Clin Infect Dis 2010;50:554–9.
    Cohen ML, Potter M, Pollard R, Feldman R. Turtle-associated salmonellosis in the United States. JAMA 1980;243:1247–9.

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  • 1 dead 54 sick with salmonella in UK, Europe linked to watermelon

    Posted: February 2nd, 2012 - 2:37pm by Doug Powell

    harvestmark.watermelon1.jpg

    The UK Health Protection Agency (HPA) is investigating an outbreak of a strain of Salmonella Newport infection among 30 people in England, Wales and Northern Ireland since the beginning of December 2011. Cases of illness caused by the same strain have been confirmed in Scotland, Ireland and Germany.

    Dr Bob Adak, head of the gastrointestinal diseases department at the HPA said: “Although it’s too soon to say with certainty what the likely cause of infection is, early indications suggest that a number of people became unwell after eating watermelon. This has also been noted in the cases in Scotland and Germany although further investigation is ongoing.

    Confirmed cases:

    • England - 26
    • Wales - 3
    • Northern Ireland - 1
    • Scotland - 4
    • Republic of Ireland - 5
    • Germany – 15

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  • 1 child ill; Australia’s salmonella playground closed again

    Posted: February 1st, 2012 - 12:46pm by Doug Powell

    In May 2008, children's playgrounds were closed on Sydney's Northern Beaches after a rare form of salmonella, paratyphi B var java, normally linked to tropical fish, sickened 23 toddlers. The sand was replaced at a cost of $140,000 but subsequent testing showed the same salmonella had returned.

    In Sept. 2011, the park was again closed after 4 children were stricken with gastroenteritis and salmonella java was found in bark. And it was closed again in Dec.

    The Manly Daily reports today that Winnererremy Bay’s Flying Fox Park has been closed for a third time in six months after a child fell ill from salmonella.

    Pittwater Council temporarily closed the flying fox and climbing net area on advice from NSW Health, resulting from tests coming back positive for salmonella java in the playground’s bark soft fall material.

    NSW Health confirmed a child was diagnosed with salmonella java after visiting the playground last month.

    According to council, which received the unit’s advice on Tuesday, the child used the playground on January 10.
    Testing was conducted in mid-January as a follow-up to bacteria being found at the playground in December.

    According to council, two samples of eight were found to have the bacterium in the latest tests. The playground bark will be removed and replaced in the next few days before the area is reopened.

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  • Big or small, if you sell food, know what you’re selling, even organic

    Posted: January 26th, 2012 - 2:59pm by Doug Powell

    Nancy Shute of NPR describes the Jones' Mock Salt recall as a collision of two distressing trends: contamination of herbs and spices, and safety issues with organic products.

    It's made by June Jones, a hairdresser in Tacoma, Wash., who invented the seasoning a few years ago, after one of customers complained that the salt-free seasonings in the supermarket tasted terrible. Her little start-up has been a success.

    But one of the ingredients in Jones's secret recipe is organic celery seed. And that's the source of the trouble.

    Over the past few months Safeway and other big retailers have recalled organic celery seed because a batch of the seeds positive for salmonella, which can cause fatal infections. No illnesses have been reported, but the suspect seeds were distributed from last May through December.

    Recalls and outbreaks caused by contaminated herbs and spices are not uncommon. Hundreds of people in 44 states fell ill with salmonella in 2009 and 2010 after eating Italian-style sausage. The culprit was red and black pepper used to season the meat.

    We called up June Jones to find out what went wrong. "My supplier actually sent to me a recall letter," she said. "I pulled everything off the shelves in December, and recalled online orders. It's very hard."

    Her business will survive, she says, but she has taken a big hit financially. And she's worried because most of her customers use salt substitute because they have health problems.

    "It was very disturbing to me. I supply to a heart transplant patient in Minnesota," Jones says. "I take every precaution myself as a manufacturer to make sure my product is totally safe, and I expect other people do to that, too."

    Because spices can be contaminated with bacteria and insects, big retailers routinely irradiate spices to kill pathogens.

    We asked Jones if the celery seed she bought was irradiated. "Irradiated? I didn't ask about that. I made my product from products that are supposed to be safe."

    So we called up her supplier, Starwest Botanicals of Rancho Cordova, Calif. Lisa O'Keeley, the customer service supervisor, told us that the firm had found out about the contamination after a manufacturer using their seeds tested a batch and found salmonella.

    "Typically all of our products get run through a full gamut of testing by our quality assurance department," O'Keeley told The Salt. "When that product was approved, there was no evidence of salmonella at the time."

    The seeds in question came from Egypt, which also happens to be the source of the tainted fenugreek sprouts that were linked to the E. coli outbreak in Germany last year.

    O'Keeley says her Egyptian seeds were given an organic certification by an outside inspector. "We have very strict guidelines on what we can call certified organic. "

    Were the seeds irradiated? "We won't purvey irradiated herbs," Keeley said. "Even if it's not organic we don't."

    But organic certification doesn't measure food safety; it's only about how a food was grown. Recalls of organic tomatoes, lettuce, and other produce for contamination with salmonella and other deadly pathogens are, alas, common.
    Organic foods have even spread botulism — like the Italian stuffed olives we covered last year.

    "Consumers think organic is safer," says Doug Powell, a professor of food safety at Kansas State University. "But it doesn't. It's just a word. It really doesn't mean much aside from how it was grown."

    He should know; he researches outbreaks, and covers them on barfblog, a go-to source on all things icky in food safety.

    He doesn't have much sympathy for June Jones's situation, particularly since there's been an explosion of small food producers like her in recent years.

    "If you're going to sell to the public, you'd better know what you're selling. Whether she thinks she's part of the industry or just a small little producer, it doesn't matter. You make people barf, they're doing to come after you."

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    celery seed, food safety, jones' mock salt, organic, salmonella, suppliers
  • Salmonella-in-tomato outbreak 2006 redux

    Posted: January 26th, 2012 - 5:13am by Doug Powell

    A new paper in Epidemiology and Infection revisits a 2006 outbreak of Salmonella Typhimurium linked to tomatoes served at various restaurants that sickened 190 -- even a Canadian.

    The authors write that “in response to the outbreak, the grower/packer made improvements in good agricultural and manufacturing practices relating to the packing house and contracted a third-party auditor to improve food-safety practices based on customer request.’’

    Do auditors improve food safety practices or just evaluate?

    Abstract below:

    Multiple salmonellosis outbreaks have been linked to contaminated tomatoes. We investigated a multistate outbreak of Salmonella Typhimurium infections among 190 cases. For hypothesis generation, review of patients' food histories from four restaurant-associated clusters in four states revealed that large tomatoes were the only common food consumed by patients.

    Two case-control studies were conducted to identify food exposures associated with infections. In a study conducted in nine states illness was significantly associated with eating raw, large, round tomatoes in a restaurant [matched odds ratio (mOR) 3·1, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1·3–7·3]. In a Minnesota study, illness was associated with tomatoes eaten at a restaurant (OR 6·3, mid-P 95% CI 1·05–50·4,P=0·046).

    State, local and federal regulatory officials traced the source of tomatoes to Ohio tomato fields, a growing area not previously identified in past tomato-associated outbreaks. Because tomatoes are commonly eaten raw, prevention of tomato contamination should include interventions on the farm, during packing, and at restaurants.

    Epidemiology and Infection, FirstView Article : pp 1-9
    C. Barton Behravesh, D. Blaney, C. Medus, S. A. Bidol, Q. Phan, S. Soliva, E. R. Daly, K. Smith, B. Miller, T. Taylor Jr., T. Nguyen, C. Perry, T. A. Hill, N. Fogg, A. Kleiza, D. Moorhead, S. Al-Khaldi, C. Braden and M. F. Lynch

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  • Class action filed against Australian bakery that sickened 22 with salmonella; ‘I won’t use commercial mayo, it’s foul’

    Posted: January 24th, 2012 - 10:08pm by Doug Powell

    Maybe a legal jolt will prod Australians out of food safety complacency, but that’s especially challenging in a politico town like the national capital, Canberra.

    ABC News reports 10 people are taking legal action against a Canberra bakery after allegedly contracting food poisoning.

    Silo Bakery at Kingston was forced to shut for three days in December after ACT Health detected salmonella in mayonnaise used in a chicken roll.

    It is believed raw egg in the mayonnaise was to blame for the salmonella outbreak which allegedly affected more than a dozen people.

    Gerard Rees from Slater and Gordon in Canberra says some of those who were affected are seeking compensation for pain and suffering induced by the allegedly spoiled sandwiches.

    "For five or six of the individuals I understand it ended up in hospital and a couple for relatively lengthy periods of time, weeks rather than days. So obviously people who were seriously affected would be entitled to far greater compensation for general damages or pain and suffering. Those who were off work as a result would be entitled to receive compensation for the time off that they had and if they had medical expenses they're entitled to compensation for the medical expenses they're paid as a direct result of the poisoning.

    "What'll happen is we're investigating a claim in negligence. The claim will allege that Silo bakery was negligent in the way it stored and prepared the food. There is an ACT Health investigation underway as well that is looking into this. What we will do is look at each case individually."

    At least 22 people were sickened with salmonella in Dec. at the Canberra bakery. In the aftermath of the outbreak, Silo co-owner Leanne Gray said officials have advised buying commercial mayonnaise or using pasteurized eggs. Her response: “That's the foulest thing you've ever seen, so I said no, I won't.''

    A table of raw-egg related outbreaks in Australia is available at http://bites.ksu.edu/raw-egg-related-outbreaks-australia.

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  • Celery seed source of salmonella in Mock Salt

    Posted: January 24th, 2012 - 2:09pm by Doug Powell

     Once again, a seasoning has been fingered as the source of salmonella, although no one is sick this time (yet, or that is know).

    Jones’ Seasoning Blends LLC announced a voluntary recall of Jones’ Mock Salt Original as well as Jones’ Mock Salt Spicy Southwest Blend due to the potential contamination of Salmonella.

    They probably mean contamination with salmonella. But why get picky; at least they put something out there.

    “This recall has been initiated due to possible Salmonella contamination of the celery seeds ingredient used in Jones Mock Salt. Jones Seasoning Blends LLC is not responsible for the contamination of Salmonella. The supplier of the celery seeds has been recalling the product and Jones Seasoning Blends LLC has also taken every action possible in notifying the public.”

    Except the notice is not on the Jones website, although there is a cute tale about how the company was created.

    Ms. Jones, you are responsible because your name is on the product. I’m sure your ingredients are organic, but that does not equate with microbiologically safe.

    The following affected products were directly distributed to grocery stores and markets in California, Minnesota, and Washington and it was also sold through internet orders on www.jonesmocksalt.com:
    Jones’ Mock Salt Original: Organic Salt Free Seasoning, 1.6 oz bottles (UPC 0 94922 16616 6), 12 oz bags (UPC 0 94922 07199 6) and 16 oz bags (0 94922 16616 6).
    Jones’ Mock Salt Spicy Southwest Blend: Organic Salt Free Seasoning, 1.6 oz bottles (UPC 0 94922 01560 0).

    There is no lot number identifying the bottles or bags. Any products purchased from July 1, 2011 to December 14, 2011 should be destroyed.

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  • Sick vacationers from Cuba continue to land in Canada

    Posted: January 22nd, 2012 - 11:08pm by Doug Powell

    This is sounding a lot less like norovirus.

    Elizabeth Church of Toronto’s Globe and Mail reports that for the fifth time in less than a week, a Canadian airline is reporting several ill passengers on a flight returning from the vacation destination of Holguin in Cuba.

    Although many travellers on each flight reported staying at the same resorts, at least four resorts have been identified amongst the travellers onboard the first four affected flights, according to the Public Health Agency of Canada.

    But those resorts could have the same food suppliers; and at least one commenter to barfblog.com said he or she was tested upon arriving in Canada and tested positive for salmonella.

    Michelle Larabie said she got sick on a plane returning to Toronto from Holguin on Jan. 13, a week earlier than the other flights. She said she began feeling nauseous while in the air, and her sickness and diarrhea lasted nearly a week.

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  • Incidence of specific Salmonella strain on the risk again in UK; epidemiologists looking for links

    Posted: January 20th, 2012 - 11:20am by Ben Chapman

    Author: 
    Ben Chapman

    BBC reports that Salmonella Typhimurium DT193 illnesses are on the rise and no one is really sure whether they are linked or what the source might be.

    Health officials are investigating how to stop a rise in cases of a salmonella strain which can leave patients severely ill, the BBC has learned. Cases of Salmonella Typhimurium DT193, rose 630% from 71 in 2004 to 518 in 2011 in England and Wales, said the Health Protection Agency. A Devon man diagnosed with DT193 poisoning in 2011 spent five days in hospital and is still suffering.

    DT193 cases rose in the South West from 14 in 2004 to 73 in 2011. DT193, which is most common in beef and pork, is also found in unpasteurised milk, desserts and sandwiches according to the HPA.

    It said in a statement: "The HPA study, which is ongoing, involves people who were ill being questioned about what they ate and activities they were involved in prior to becoming unwell.
    "The aims of the study are to find any links between those who were unwell and give insights as to how to stop the increase in cases."

    Devon builder Ian Mason, 54, was among eight people who contracted DT193 after attending a hog roast, identified by the HPA as a possible cause of the outbreak, in April 2011.

    S. Typhimurium DT193 was linked to a bunch of European outbreaks in the 80s and 90s. Two of the big outbreaks were linked to pork products (in the UK and Italy).
     

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