CDC is collaborating with public health officials in many states, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS), and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to investigate a multistate outbreak of Salmonella serotype Montevideo infections. Investigators are using DNA analysis of Salmonella bacteria obtained through diagnostic testing to identify cases of
Marler Clark Files First E. coli Lawsuit Against National Steak & Poultry
From Cattlenetworks – Chuck Jolley:
Let me introduce you to my friend Bill Marler. A nice enough guy for a lawyer, he watches the meat industry from way out there in Seattle, patrolling the perimeter of the business like an old-fashioned foot ball coach. You’ll get grudging pats on the back when you do
Marler Clark Files First E. coli Lawsuit Against National Steak and Poultry
SALT LAKE CITY, UT (January 21, 2010) The first E. coli lawsuit against National Steak and Poultry, an Oklahoma meat manufacturing facility, was filed today in the Third Judicial District Court in Salt Lake City. The civil suit was filed by Marler Clark and by Utah attorneys Jared Faerber and Dustin Lance on behalf of
Retail meat linked to urinary tract infections: Strong new evidence
McGill researcher discovers strong evidence of link between eating contaminated chicken and the E. coli that cause urinary tract infection.
Chicken sold in supermarkets, restaurants and other outlets may place young women at risk of urinary tract infections (UTI), McGill researcher Amee Manges has discovered. Samples taken in the Montreal area between 2005 and 2007
Rep. Delauro calls for Independent Food Safety Advisory Board
Washington, DC— Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (CT-3) released the following statement today in reaction to the recall of approximately 864,000 pounds of beef products potentially contaminated with E. coli by the Montebello, California-based company Huntington Meat Packing Inc. The recalled products include foodstuffs produced as far back as 2008.
“While any food safety recall is a
U.S. Dept. of Agriculture Issues Second Beef Recall of 2010: Take It Seriously!
Food Safety Advocate and Attorney Bill Marler encourages everyone—especially parents—to never use ANY food that’s been recalled
The year may be young but beef recalls because of potential E. coli O157:H7 contamination are in full swing. In light of the two recalls already issued in 2010, food safety advocate and attorney Bill Marler has issued
Belgium, Wisconsin E. coli cluster causes at least one HUS illness
Virtually every time an E. coli O157:H7 outbreak occurs, the most severely injured people develop a condition called hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). The cluster being investigated by health officials in Belgium, Wisconsin is no exception. At least one of the cases, believed to be a child, developed HUS and spent multiple weeks hospitalized at Children’s Hospital
Belgium, Wisconsin E. coli O157:H7, Cryptosporidium, and Clostridium difficile illnesses
The E. coli O157:H7 outbreak in Belgium, Wisconsin has sickened at least 6 kids (one who developed HUS) seems to have several well-defined epidemiological circumstances that may help the State of Wisconsin Health Department identify a source. The victims seem to all be kids, the kids all come from the same relatively small part of the town, and the kids apparently do not interact socially.
Whatever the ultimate significance of these circumstances, another highly interesting epidemiological point in the outbreak is the apparent presence of Cryptosporidium and Clostridium difficile infection among the outbreak cases.
Clostridium difficile
Clostridium difficile (C. difficile) is a spore-forming, gram-positive anaerobic bacillus that produces two toxins: toxin A and toxin B. These toxins typically cause gastrointestinal disease, often with severe complications. In rare cases, C. difficile-associated disease can be fatal. Although C. difficile bacteria can be present in human intestinal tracts and cause no clinical symptoms (a condition called colonization), some individuals with C. difficile colonization are at increased risk of becoming ill. The most common risk factor for C. difficile-associated disease is exposure to antibiotics, especially those with broad-spectrum activity. Although less common, exposure to agents that suppress the immune system may also increase the risk of illness. Advanced age, severe underlying illness, gastrointestinal surgery, use of nasogastric tubes, and gastrointestinal medications (such as gastrointestinal stimulants or antacids) have also been associated with an increased risk of colonization. Most cases are acquired in hospitals or nursing homes, but an increased incidence of community–acquired C. difficile has been reported as well. Recent studies indicate that C. difficile can also be found in food products, thus raising a significant question: Can C. difficile cause foodborne illness?
Sources and Transmission
C. difficile is shed in feces. Any material, device, or surface that becomes contaminated with feces—such as toilets or bathing tubs—may serve as a reservoir for C. difficile spores. The ability of C. difficile to form spores is thought to be a key feature that enables the bacteria to persist in patients and the physical environment for long periods of time, thereby facilitating its transmission.Continue Reading Belgium, Wisconsin E. coli O157:H7, Cryptosporidium, and Clostridium difficile illnesses
Cryptosporidium part of the Belgium, Wisconsin E. coli cluster
Sheboyganpress.com reports that the six children living in a well-defined, relatively small corner of Belgium, Wisconsin who were infected with E. coli O157:H7 had related infections with other dangerous bugs, including Cryptosporidium and Clostridium difficile.
Cryptosporidium parvum (also known as "Crypto") is a parasite that is too small to be seen with the naked eye. It is found in water and food sources contaminated with the feces of infected humans, cattle, and other mammals. The infectious form of the parasite, known as an "oocyst," is highly resistant to the levels of chlorine normally found in drinking water and swimming pools.
Symptoms of Cryptosporidium
Cryptosporidiosis, the infection caused by ingestion of the Cryptosporidium parasite, causes painful abdominal cramping and profuse, watery diarrhea. In addition to diarrhea, symptoms of infection are fatigue, fever, nausea, vomiting, and loss of appetite.
Symptoms of Cryptosporidiosis appear an average of seven days after oocysts are swallowed, and normally last for two weeks or less in healthy adults. People with compromised immune systems (those with diabetes, receiving cancer treatments, who have received organ transplants, or are infected with HIV/AIDS), the elderly, pregnant women, and small children are more likely to become infected, and will suffer more severe illnesses than healthy adults. In some cases, Cryptosporidiosis can be life-threatening, especially when those infected become dehydrated.
Detection and Treatment of CryptosporidiumContinue Reading Cryptosporidium part of the Belgium, Wisconsin E. coli cluster
More progress in the detection of E. coli in beef
TradingMarkets.com reports another development in the food industry’s fight against E. coli contamination:
Strategic Diagnostics Inc., a leading provider of biotechnology-based detection solutions for food safety and life science applications, today announced that its recently improved RapidChek(R) E. coli O157 (including H7) System has earned Performance-Tested Methods(SM) certification from the AOAC Research Institute (License Number