E. coli O157:H7 linked to Western Fair in London, Canada, again, 10 years after 159 sickened
There are more people tragically sick with E. coli O157:H7 from what looks like another petting zoo.
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But this would be especially tragic – or hopelessly sad -- if proven.
In 1999, 159 people, mainly children, were thought to be sickened with E. coli O157:H7 traced to goat and sheep at the 1999 Western Fair in London, Ontario. That’s in Canada.
Scott Weese, a clinical studies professor at the University of Guelph (that’s also in Canada) and colleagues reported in the July 2007 edition of Clinical Infectious Diseases that in a study of 36 petting zoos in Ontario between May and October of 2006, they observed infrequent hand washing, food sold and consumed near the animals, and children being allowed to drink bottles or suck on pacifiers in the petting area.
There’s been several outbreaks linked to petting zoos and state fairs in the U.K., Vancouver and Denver; and that’s just this year. A complete table of outbreaks is available at http://barfblog.foodsafety.ksu.edu/uploads/file/Petting%20zoo%20outbreaks%20chart%20bites(1).pdf.
Now, 10 years later, initial reports are emerging that four people who visited the Western Fair Agri-plex (that’s in London, Ontario, Canada) sometime between September 11 and 20, 2009, have been infected with the same strain of E. coli O157:H7.
The health unit is asking anyone who developed severe diarrhea after visiting the Western Fair to contact them at (519) 663-5317 ext 2330.
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14 confirmed sick with Salmonella from London kebab shop; 41 suspected sick, including kids
London Informer reports that health officials are investigating an outbreak of Salmonella poisoning linked to a Hammersmith and Fulham kebab shop which has left at least 41 people ill.
Of those 14 people have been confirmed as suffering from the potentially deadly infection.
Investigators from the North West London Health Protection Unit (HPA) are tracing the source of the infection and after early enquiries the Shahi Nan Kebab house in Uxbridge Road has voluntarily closed its doors.
Unfortunately, and no disrespect to the victims of either foodborne illness or choking on food, I can’t help but continue with the Kids in the Hall theme because it’s all I think of when I hear the word, kebab.
Three kids stricken with E. coli O157:H7 linked to London, Ontario Halal store
The London Free Press – that’s London, Ontario, in Canada – reports that after three children were diagnosed with E coli O157:H7 infections within five days, the Middlesex-London Health Unit advised the public today to avoid eating any ground beef or spiced ground beef (kofta) purchased from Westmount Halal Food Store located at 490 Wonderland Road South.
In two of the cases, children consumed kofta purchased on June 14 and 15 from the store. The source of the third child's infection has not been identified, but the child's family also eats halal food, although it didn't purchase any from the Westmount store.
The public is being advised to:
• Not eat any ground beef or kofta purchased from the Westmount Halal Food Store between June 2 and today. The store is prepared to refund any customer who purchased these products.
• Contact the Health Unit (519-663-5317 ext. 2330, after hours 519-675-7523) and their healthcare provider if they have developed symptoms of severe or bloody diarrhea since June 2.
• Contact the Health Unit if they have any ground beef or kofta purchased from the Westmount Halal Food Store between June 2 and today in their home.
UK celebrity restaurant Quaglino's closes after woman celebrating 50th birthday dies, possibly related to oysters
A leading London restaurant has been forced to close after a female diner died of a mystery illness following a 50th birthday celebration there.
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Quaglino's was shut by management this week after the death of the Denise Martin who dined at the eatery with five friends on Saturday night.
The Health Protection Agency says it is investigating food poisoning as a possible cause of death.
Mother-of-two Ms Martin was found dead in her bed by partner Roy Johal,52, on Tuesday - three days after the meal which saw her eat oysters for the first time.
Last night the restaurant refused to comment, other than to confirm it had reopened following a two-day closure.
University of Western Ontario and Salmonella:
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The London Free Press is reporting that the total number of Salmonella cases at the University of Western Ontario in London has climbed to 42 -- an increase of 10 -- and that none of the new cases is related to the Pita Pit, the source of the original cases.Dr. Bryna Warshawsky of the Middlesex-London Health Unit was cited as saying the new cases involve people who ate food prepared at a central kitchen in the Centre Spot food court and distributed to other outlets on campus, and that the new cases could point to a cross-contamination at the Centre Spot, adding,
"There's a wide variety of food items, purchased from a wide variety of places. The only common element is that the food was prepared within the Centre Spot."
Or a common ingredient. Maybe something like tomatoes? We await the public results of the health unit's investigation.
Red hot chili closes London roads, burns throats
Extra-hot bird's eye chilies that had been left dry-frying at the Thai Cottage restaurant sparked road closures and evacuations in central London after passers-by complained that a chemical emanating from a Thai restaurant was burning their throats.Associated Press reported that the London Fire Brigade sent a chemical response team, closed off roads, sealed buildings and donned special breathing masks to ferret out the source of the acrid smell as onlookers coughed.
A police spokesman said that no one was arrested, adding, "As far as I'm aware, it's not a criminal offense to cook very strong chili."
