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Foodborne Illness Outbreaks

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Marler Clark to File Second Salmonella Holiday Inn Lawsuit

Posted By Bruce Clark on May 25, 2013

We will be filing a second lawsuit next week.  At least 86 people fell ill after eating at one of two restaurants within the Holiday Inn Bordeaux in Fayetteville, N.C., as of Friday, according to Cumberland County Department of Public Health Director Buck Wilson. That number is up from 70 cases counted on Monday.

Seven of the patients have tested positive for Salmonella in laboratory cultures, Wilson told Food Safety News.

The hotel has two restaurants inside, the All American Sports Bar and Grill and the Café Bordeaux, both of which appear to be connected to the outbreak.

State and county health investigators are still working with the Holiday Inn to investigate the source of the outbreak. The county health department anticipates releasing a report on their findings shortly.

Salmonella:  Marler Clark, The Food Safety Law Firm, is the nation’s leading law firm representing victims of Salmonella outbreaks. The Salmonella lawyers of Marler Clark have represented thousands of victims of Salmonella and other foodborne illness outbreaks and have recovered over $600 million for clients.  Marler Clark is the only law firm in the nation with a practice focused exclusively on foodborne illness litigation.  Our Salmonella lawyers have litigated Salmonella cases stemming from outbreaks traced to a variety of foods, such as cantaloupe, tomatoes, ground turkey, salami, sprouts, cereal, peanut butter, and food served in restaurants.  The law firm has brought Salmonella lawsuits against such companies as Cargill, ConAgra, Peanut Corporation of America, Sheetz, Taco Bell, Subway and Wal-Mart.

If you or a family member became ill with a Salmonella infection, including Reactive Arthritis or Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), after consuming food and you’re interested in pursuing a legal claim, contact the Marler Clark Salmonella attorneys for a free case evaluation.

Toccoa BBQ Shack Linked to E. coli Outbreak

Posted By Patti Waller on May 24, 2013

According to AccessGeorgia.com, the E. coli O157:H7 outbreak in Stephens County, Georgia has grown to 11 confirmed cases linked to the BBQ Shack in Toccoa, Georgia.

“The Georgia Department of Public Health (GDPH), the North Health District, and the Stephens County Health Department continue to investigate an outbreak of E. coli O157:H7 infections that occurred during early May,” said District 2 Public Health spokesman Dave Palmer.

Palmer said 10 of the cases were Georgia residents, while the other was a South Carolina resident.

Seven of those victims were hospitalized as a result of the infections, with five of those diagnosed with a complication called Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome (HUS), he said.

“Ten of the 11 case-patients reported eating at the BBQ Shack in Toccoa during the weekend of May 2-4,” Palmer said. “No other common exposures were reported among case-patients.”

Mexico Cucumbers Sicken 81 with Salmonella in US

Posted By Bill Marler on May 24, 2013

Consumption of imported cucumbers is the likely source of infection for the ill persons.  On April 24, 2013, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration placed Daniel Cardenas Izabal and Miracle Greenhouse of Culiacán, Mexico on Import Alert. Cucumbers from these two firms will be denied admission into the United States unless the suppliers show that they are not contaminated with Salmonella.

A total of 81 persons infected with the outbreak strain of Salmonella Saintpaul have been reported from 18 states. The number of ill persons identified in each state is as follows: Arizona (11), California (28), Colorado (1), Idaho (2), Illinois (3), Louisiana (1), Massachusetts (1), Maryland (1), Minnesota (9), Nevada (1), New Mexico (2), North Carolina (3), Ohio (3), Oregon (2), South Dakota (2), Texas (6), Virginia (3), and Wisconsin (2).  Since the last update, 8 new ill persons have been reported from Arizona (2), Minnesota (1), North Carolina (2), Ohio (2), and Virginia (1). This PFGE pattern has rarely been seen before in PulseNet and in the past typically caused 0-5 cases per year.

29% of ill persons have been hospitalized, and no deaths have been reported.

 

Illegal Turtles Sicken 391 with Salmonella

Posted By Andy Weisbecker on May 24, 2013

A total of 391 persons infected with the outbreak strains of Salmonella have been reported from 40 states and the District of Columbia.

  • 29% of ill persons have been hospitalized, and no deaths have been reported.
  • 71% of ill persons are children 10 years of age or younger, and 33% of ill persons are children 1 year of age or younger.
  • 45% of ill persons are of Hispanic ethnicity. Information about the association between reptiles and Salmonella is available in Spanish.

Results of the epidemiologic and environmental investigations indicate exposure to turtles or their environments (e.g., water from a turtle habitat) is the cause of these outbreaks.

  • 70% of ill persons reported exposure to turtles prior to their illness.
  • 89% of ill persons with turtle exposure specifically reported exposure to small turtles (shell length less than 4 inches).
  • 30% of ill persons with small turtles reported purchasing the turtles from street vendors, and 13% reported purchasing small turtles from pet stores.

Four of the outbreaks remain under active investigation. However, turtles are an important cause of human Salmonella infections in the United States.

More information about Salmonella from reptiles and amphibians, and the steps people can take to reduce their risk of infection, is available.

The Food and Drug Administration has banned the sale and distribution of turtles with a shell length of less than 4 inches in size as pets since 1975. These small turtles should not be purchased as pets or given as gifts.

North Carolina Salmonella Cases Hit 86

Posted By Drew Falkenstein on May 24, 2013

Food Safety News reports that at least 86 people fell ill after eating at one of two restaurants within the Holiday Inn Bordeaux in Fayetteville, N.C., as of Friday, according to Cumberland County Department of Public Health Director Buck Wilson. That number is up from 70 cases counted on Monday.

Seven of the patients have tested positive for Salmonella in laboratory cultures, Wilson told Food Safety News.

The hotel has two restaurants inside, the All American Sports Bar and Grill and the Café Bordeaux, both of which appear to be connected to the outbreak.

State and county health investigators are still working with the Holiday Inn to investigate the source of the outbreak. The county health department anticipates releasing a report on their findings shortly.

Salmonella:  Marler Clark, The Food Safety Law Firm, is the nation’s leading law firm representing victims of Salmonella outbreaks. The Salmonella lawyers of Marler Clark have represented thousands of victims of Salmonella and other foodborne illness outbreaks and have recovered over $600 million for clients.  Marler Clark is the only law firm in the nation with a practice focused exclusively on foodborne illness litigation.  Our Salmonella lawyers have litigated Salmonella cases stemming from outbreaks traced to a variety of foods, such as cantaloupe, tomatoes, ground turkey, salami, sprouts, cereal, peanut butter, and food served in restaurants.  The law firm has brought Salmonella lawsuits against such companies as Cargill, ConAgra, Peanut Corporation of America, Sheetz, Taco Bell, Subway and Wal-Mart.

If you or a family member became ill with a Salmonella infection, including Reactive Arthritis or Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), after consuming food and you’re interested in pursuing a legal claim, contact the Marler Clark Salmonella attorneys for a free case evaluation.

Second outbreak of Campylobacter illness in 2013 associated with raw milk

Posted By Bruce Clark on May 23, 2013

Bacteria strain linked to cow-share dairy farm on the Kenai Peninsula

The Alaska Section of Epidemiology is investigating another outbreak of Campylobacter infection associated with the consumption of raw milk. This new outbreak is associated with raw milk distributed by the same Kenai Peninsula cow-share program that was linked to a Campylobacter outbreak sickened at least 31 people in February 2013.

In the current investigation, five cases of Campylobacter infection have been identified to date. Two of the five people sought medical attention. Testing by the Alaska State Public Health Laboratory identified the bacteria strain as Campylobacter jejuni. The exact same strain of C. jejuni was found in cow manure obtained earlier this year at the cow-share farm that distributed the raw milk. “The genetic fingerprint of the bacteria isolated from these two people and the cow is unique. It has never been seen before in the United States,” said Dr. Joe McLaughlin, State Epidemiologist. “These outbreaks are an unfortunate reminder of the inherent risks associated with raw milk consumption, and underscore the importance of pasteurization.”

Anyone who has developed gastrointestinal symptoms such as loose stools and cramping within 10 days after consuming raw milk should notify his or her health care provider. Persons who develop concerning symptoms of illness such as bloody diarrhea, fever, abdominal pain, arthritis, or muscle weakness should seek prompt medical attention.

Also, anyone who has consumed raw milk and subsequently experienced acute gastrointestinal illness in 2013 should notify the Section of Epidemiology Infectious Disease Program at 907-269-8000 (in Anchorage) or toll free at 1-800-478-0084.

Resources:

Salmonella Outbreak At Firefly Las Vegas Nevada Sickens 294

Posted By Patti Waller on May 23, 2013

On April 26, 2013, the Southern Nevada Health District (SNHD), Office of Epidemiology (OOE) received reports of gastrointestinal illness from 8 independent groups of patrons of Firefly on Paradise or the adjacent affiliated restaurant Dragonfly on Paradise (Firefly) located at 3900 Paradise Road, Las Vegas, NV 89109. All patrons from these groups ate at the restaurant during April 21-24, 2013. Ill patrons reported symptoms of diarrhea and/or vomiting after they consumed food from Firefly restaurant, and many sought medical care for their illness. In response to these illness reports, the SNHD initiated an investigation.

On April 26, 2013, the SNHD performed investigative inspections and closed Firefly and Dragonfly restaurants to minimize ongoing risk of illness.

A probable case is defined as illness in a person who consumed food served by Firefly restaurant during April 21-26, 2013, experienced diarrhea (defined as ≥ 3 bouts of loose stools) and/or ≥ 1 episodes of vomiting during a 7-day period after eating, and reported the illness to SNHD no later than end of day May 13, 2013 (midnight). The case definition for confirmed cases is a positive Salmonella stool culture.

The epidemic curve as of May 20, 2013 is presented in the figure below and shows a total of 294 people whose illnesses met the case definition (73 confirmed and 221 probable cases). All identified ill persons ate at Firefly during April 21 through April 26, 2013. Illness onset dates occurred within the April 22 to May 1, 2013 time frame.

From various surveillance data sources, we have received reports of illness from restaurant patrons who normally reside in 27 states and 2 foreign countries (Canada and United Kingdom) who ate at Firefly during their visits to Las Vegas.

Of the 21 food items that were analyzed, one item, cooked chorizo (a type of sausage), tested positive for Salmonella. Culture and PFGE-pattern results of the Salmonella isolate obtained from the cooked chorizo matched those of the outbreak strain.

Initially, SNHD and OOE attempted to trace back some food products that either arrived raw to the restaurant or were served uncooked to patrons to try to identify how a food could have become contaminated at its source or during delivery, storage or preparation. However, in light of the laboratory result that the outbreak strain of Salmonella was isolated from the cooked chorizo, trace-back efforts have been redirected at the chorizo products due to a small possibility that raw chorizo was contaminated prior to arriving at Firefly.

As of May 20, 2013 at least 290 patrons and 4 employees who consumed food and/or drinks at Firefly restaurant during April 21-26, 2013 have been identified to be confirmed or probable cases of Salmonella infection. No illness has been reported among staff or patrons of the other Firefly restaurants located in Clark County (Firefly Westside and Firefly on Eastern). The rate of cases being reported to SNHD has declined significantly with no evidence of any disease transmission after the closure of the restaurant on April 26, 2013. It is possible that the number of cases will change slightly over the next weeks as the last laboratory results arrive that either identify new confirmed cases, or eliminate probable cases from our count should they fail to have PFGE patterns matching the outbreak strain.

No concurrent cases of salmonellosis having a PFGE pattern matching the outbreak strain have been identified in the U.S. other than those linked to the Firefly on Paradise restaurant.

It is likely that the outbreak was due to local cross-contamination in the restaurant’s kitchen and not from a contaminated commercial food.

Salmonella Tahini Outbreak in Six States

Posted By Bill Marler on May 22, 2013

A total of eight persons infected with the outbreak strains of Salmonella Montevideo or Salmonella Mbandaka have been reported from six states.

The number of ill persons identified in each state is as follows: California (1), Minnesota (2), New York (1), North Dakota (1), Texas (2), and Wisconsin (1).

No ill persons have been hospitalized. No deaths have been reported.

Collaborative investigation efforts of state, local, and federal public health and regulatory agencies indicate that tahini sesame paste distributed by Krinos Foods, LLC of Long Island City, New York is the likely source of this outbreak.

During routine product testing at a retail store, the Michigan Department of Agriculture isolated Salmonella Montevideo from Krinos brand tahini sesame paste.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration isolated Salmonella Mbandaka from imported tahini sesame paste collected from shipments arriving in the United States for distribution by Krinos Foods.

On April 28, 2013, Krinos Foods recalled its tahini sesame paste because of potential contamination with Salmonella.

On May 9, 2013, the recall was expanded to include additional expiration dates.

The recalled lots have expiration dates from January 1, 2014 to June 8, 2014 and from October 16, 2014 to March 15, 2015.

Las Vegas Firefly Salmonella Outbreak Nears 300 from 27 states and 2 Foreign Countries

Posted By Bill Marler on May 22, 2013

According to today’s REPORT from the Southern Nevada Health District, the epidemic curve as of May 20, 2013 is presented in the figure below and shows a total of 294 people whose illnesses met the case definition (73 confirmed and 221 probable cases). All identified ill persons ate at Firefly during April 21 through April 26, 2013. Illness onset dates occurred within the April 22 to May 1, 2013 time frame.  From various surveillance data sources, we have received reports of illness from restaurant patrons who normally reside in 27 states and 2 foreign countries (Canada and United Kingdom) who ate at Firefly during their visits to Las Vegas.  Salmonella has also been found in cooked, left over, chorizo.

First Lawsuit Filed Against Fayetteville Holiday Inn over Salmonella Outbreak

Posted By Andy Weisbecker on May 21, 2013

Marler Clark, the nation’s leading law firm representing victims of foodborne illness outbreaks, and Fayetteville lawyer Steven Lawrence filed a lawsuit today against the Holiday Inn Bordeaux.  The lawsuit was filed in Cumberland County Superior Court on behalf of Fayetteville resident Lucille Thompson, who alleges she became ill with a Salmonella infection after eating food purchased from the Holiday Inn.

According to the complaint, Lucille Thompson was one of at least 70 people who fell ill with Salmonella infections during an outbreak Cumberland County health officials traced to the Holiday Inn.  Court documents state that the plaintiff purchased and consumed food at Café Bordeaux in the Holiday Inn on May 9 and fell ill with symptoms of Salmonella infection, including agonizing abdominal cramps, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea in the days following her meal.  Ms. Thompson alleges that she sought medical treatment for her illness on May 12 and received a prescription for antibiotics as well as intravenous rehydration therapy; she is still not fully recovered from her illness.

“My client spent Mother’s Day in bed, too ill to even talk to her children on the phone,” said attorney Bill Marler.  “That shouldn’t happen because of something you ate.”

Last week Marler called on the Holiday Inn to pay Salmonella outbreak victims’ medical bills and lost wages.  “Even for people with health insurance, medical bills can be a financial strain,” he said.  “The Holiday Inn’s failure to produce a safe product impacted not only their physical health but also their financial health.”

Marler’s firm has worked with local North Carolina lawyers to represent North Carolina residents in outbreaks traced to ground beef, fairs and petting zoos, cookie dough, butter, ground turkey, peanut butter, pot pies, barbeque, tempeh, turkey, eggs and food served at restaurants.  These include lawsuits filed in North Carolina on behalf of victims of the following E. coli, Salmonella or hepatitis A outbreaks:

2004 North Carolina State Fair Petting Zoo E. coli Outbreak [1]

2011 Olive Garden Hepatitis A Exposure [2]

2012 Cleveland County Fair E. coli Outbreak [3]

2012 Lancaster’s BBQ Salmonella Outbreak [4]

2012 Smiling Hara Tempeh Salmonella Outbreak [5]

2012 Toast of Dilworth Salmonella Outbreak [6]

2012 Sunland Peanut Butter Salmonella Outbreak [7]

BACKGROUND:  William Marler is managing partner of Marler Clark, The Food Safety Law Firm, the nation’s leading law firm representing victims of Salmonella and other foodborne illness outbreaks. The Salmonella lawyers at Marler Clark have represented thousands of victims of foodborne illness outbreaks and have recovered over $600 million for clients. Our Salmonella lawyers have litigated cases stemming from outbreaks traced to foods such as peanut butter, sprouts, tomatoes and restaurant food.

1. Wake County Superior Court (Case No. 04-CVS-17478)

2. Cumberland County Superior Court (Case No. 11-CVS-7060)

3. Cleveland County Superior Court (Case No. 12 CVS-2254)

4. Iredell County Superior Court (Case No. 12-CVS-01420)

5. North Carolina Federal District Court (Case No. 12-CV-152)

6. Mecklenburg County Superior Court (Case No. 12-CVD-8507)

7. Nash County Superior Court (Case No. 12 CVS 1706)