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There’s no denying it has been quite the week for cyclospora outbreaks. Just yesterday, the FDA and CDC announced a multi-state outbreak of cyclospora illnesses. Today, the Minnesota Department of Health has identified 35 laboratory confirmed cases of cyclospora that are associated with three Minnesota restaurants in different areas of the state. According to the FDA release, Minnesota is one of the states that has “exposures at restaurants.” Here’s what we know about the Cyclospora Minnesota Outbreak: Nationwide Outbreak On July 25, 2019, the FDA, CDC, and state and local partners, announced their investigation into a multistate outbreak of Cyclospora  illnesses potentially linked to fresh basil exported by Siga Logistics de RL de CV located in Morelos, Mexico. The hardest hit of the 11 states with cases linked to basil are New York (69), Minnesota (29), and Florida (22), with Connecticut, Iowa, Massachusetts, Ohio, Rhode Island, South Carolina, and Wisconsin reporting from 1 to

News has broken that a a workplace cafeteria was linked to an outbreak of foodborne illness. Two of the cafeterias are in Northern Virginia: one at Capital One headquarters in McLean, and the other at the Valo Park Building in McLean. The third is CarMax. This is what we know about the Carmax Cyclospora Outbreak: The Outbreak “We received a report from a business because they had identified a cluster of cases among their employees,” Dr. Lillian Peake, State Epidemiologist with the Virginia Department of Health said. “This is caused by a parasite called Cyclospora,” Dr. Peake said. “People who get sick from Cyclospora develop watery diarrhea.” Dr. Peake said VDH started investigating three clusters of intestinal illness potentially connected to three different workplace cafeterias in early June. Four of the 39 confirmed cases of this foodborne illness happened in Central Virginia, and Dr. Peake said it’s very possible we may see more. FAQ’s on Cyclospora What is Cyclospora? Cy

In this new video FAQ, Hach & Rose, LLP attorney Michael Rose explains under what circumstances if any, medical liens must be paid back after a personal injury lawsuit. Liens can be used by healthcare facilities to stake a claim in future compensation from injury lawsuits. However, the circumstances of your lawsuit can alter which liens must be paid back. If you’ve been injured in New York, you deserve an experienced lawyer that will fight for you to be properly compensated. Call the Hach & Rose, LLP team at (212) 779-0057 today to discuss your claim.

The Health Department is evaluating water system at a NYCHA apartment building in Harlem. According to health officials, 2 cases of Legionnaires’ disease have been reported at Drew-Hamilton houses on Frederick Douglass Boulevard within the past year. Could this be a Harlem Legionnaires Disease outbreak? Legionnaires is a form of pneumonia that is caused by the bacterium Legionella pneumophila. It spreads when people inhale the mist that has the bacteria in it. It’s most commonly associated with cooling towers, hot tubs and whirlpools, decorative fountains and mist machines. Residents have received precautions as the risk of Legionnaires increases as temperatures begin to soar. The residents at the Drew Hamilton Houses got letters in their mailbox last week advising that they can still use and drink the water. But those at higher risk of infection like older residents, those with chronic lung disease or those with weaker immunity should take some extra precautions like: Don’t showe

The Virginia Department of Health announced that there are 10 cases of Legionnaires’ disease confirmed in the northeast quadrant of Chesterfield County since May 1. As a result of this Chesterfield Legionnaires Disease Outbreak, Greenfield Elementary School has been closed and summer programs are being moved to Weaver Elementary beginning Monday. Outbreak News The Chesterfield Health District announced in a press release that it is working with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to identify the source of the bacteria responsible for the 10 confirmed cases and is currently aimed at ruling out possible sources. According to the health agents, the confirmed cases have been confirmed since May 1 in older adults and people with other medical conditions. Dr. Alexander Samuel, the Director of the Chesterfield Health District, said the average number of cases during the summer is three. So, 10 cases in such a short period is definitely a concern. School Closure In a l

Stop! Before you make that pesto sauce or use that basil in your ratatouille, check your stock. News has just broken that 132 people are sick with cyclospora linked to fresh basil imported from Mexico. Here is everything we know about this Basil Cyclospora Outbreak: FDA Announcement and Warnings The FDA has announced that they “along with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and state and local partners, are investigating a multistate outbreak of Cyclospora illnesses potentially linked to fresh basil exported by Siga Logistics de RL de CV located in Morelos, Mexico.” Although the investigation is ongoing, CDC’s analysis of epidemiologic information indicates that contaminated fresh basil is the likely cause of the illnesses. FDA’s traceback investigation indicates that the fresh basil available at points of sale where consumers became ill was exported to the United States by Siga Logistics de RL de CV located in Morelos, Mexico. FDA has requested a voluntary recal

Residents in Pennsylvania, before you pour milk in your coffee or cereal bowl this morning, check the label first. The Pennsylvania Department of Health issued a public health alert warning residents from drinking milk from a Wayne County dairy farm called Creamworks Creamery. The alert warns against the use of these milk products because they may contain a bacteria, Yersinia enterocolitic.  Here’s what we know about this possible Creamworks Creamery Yersinia Outbreak: The Outbreak The PA DOH is currently investigating 17 laboratory-confirmed Yersinia illnesses and numerous additional reports of digestive illnesses. According to the alert, the illnesses seem to be connected to only milk sold at the Creamworks Creamery.  As of now, it is likely that more illnesses will be linked to the outbreak. The Investigation According to the public health alert, “Creamworks Creamery is certified by the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture to pasteurize milk at the farm. The dairy produces,

Attendees at a charity barbecue this last Friday went home with more than just leftovers. Some went home with a nasty case of food poisoning. According to a county public health alert, attendees of the Masonic Snow Lodge fundraiser Barbecue held Friday, July 19th at 240 Temple Dr, Boone, NC 28607 have fallen ill with symptoms of food poisoning. Here’s what we know about the Masonic Snow Lodge Outbreak: The Outbreak As We Know It Thus far, 8 laboratory confirmed cases of a foodborne illness and a number of others who have presented with similar symptoms of gastrointestinal complaints who all ate at the barbecue fundraiser. The local health officials of AppHealthCare have stepped in and are in the process of investigating what happened. “We do not have a confirmed source of the illness but are actively conducting a thorough investigation to determine it with support from the NC Division of Public Health, Appalachian Regional Healthcare System, Watauga County Emergency Management and th

The local media reports that 8 confirmed cases of cyclospora infections have been linked to a South Haven restaurant named Taste. Reports indicate that 14 additional cases are pending confirmation and may also be linked to the restaurant.  Here’s what we know about the Taste Cyclospora Outbreak: The Outbreak Investigators with the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, Michigan department of Agriculture and Rural Development and Van Buren-Cass County District Health Department have announced their collaboration in the investigation in to this outbreak. According to reports, “[t]here have been eight lab-confirmed cyclosporiasis cases with illness onset dates since late June. At least 14 other people are being investigated as possible cases.” There is a likelihood that additional cases may be linked to the outbreak due to the time it takes from treatment to reporting to confirmation. It is also likely that there are cases of cyclospora infection stemming from this outbreak

In this new video FAQ, Hach & Rose, LLP attorney Michael Rose explains the fundamental right of an injured person to choose the legal representation they want. While there exists much confusion around client rights, the truth is simple: you get to choose who represents you and your personal injury claim. If you’ve been injured and you are unsatisfied with your current legal representation, call the Hach & Rose, LLP team at (212) 779-0057 to discuss your claim today.

In this video FAQ, Hach & Rose, LLP attorney Michael Rose discusses how labor law section 240 provides legal protections for construction and industrial workers for gravity-related dangers. Gravity-related dangers include working at dangerous heights as well as overhead risks like hanging equipment or tools. If you are a construction worker and you have been injured on the job, contact the Hach & Rose, LLP team at (212) 779-0057 today to discuss how your case might benefit from labor law section 240.

The death of a 15-year-old girl from a severe reaction to undeclared allergens in a sandwich has led to the introduction of a new allergen labelling law in the United Kingdom that aims to prevent further such incidents. Natasha Ednan-Laperouse was preparing to fly to the French city of Nice in July of 2016 when she bought an artichoke, olive and tapenade baguette sandwich from the Heathrow Airport location of the British chain Pret a Manger. The packaging of the sandwich said nothing about sesame seeds, a food to which Natasha was powerfully allergic. Because the sandwich had been made on the premises, Pret a Manger was not required to add information to the label about potential allergens. Natasha ate the sandwich unaware of what it contained. She subsequently went into anaphylactic shock and collapsed on her flight. Two epipens were administered. The cabin crew and a doctor also on the flight administered CPR to Natasha. Despite the efforts of those present, including Natasha’s f

In a perfect world, food would just be a source of nutrients. No one would need an EpiPen and everyone could eat peanut butter cups if they wanted. Well, technology is on its way to making the world a little better. By creating tech that aids in the detecting food allergens as simple as a push of a button. For about 32 million people in the United States, food allergies are a very serious reality. The number comes Food Allergy Research & Education (FARE), an organization dedicated food allergy awareness, effective emergency treatment and accurate health information. In a 2009 to 2010 survey, 5.9 million children were found to have at least one food allergy.  To put that into perspective, that is 8 percent of the minor population or 1 in every 13 children. While many food allergies resolve in childhood, 4 percent of adults still have food allergies.  That’s 9 million people. According to ongoing surveys food allergies are only on the rise.  In fact, a CDC report indicated a 50 per

There is nothing better than the taste of a good cold slice of watermelon on a hot summer day. I don’t know many people who don’t enjoy this delicious fruit. July is such a popular month for one of my favorite melons. It seems to be everywhere, including farmer’s markets and grocery stores nationwide. Bins come to the stores packed full and quickly disappear with its popularity for being easy to handle and of course sweet. Watermelon can be found anywhere from the breakfast table to backyard cookouts and personally I will take it any way I can get it. And guess what? It’s National Watermelon Month! History Lesson Time What is the history of watermelon though? Where did it come from and how did it get to be so popular? Some facts may be surprising and here are some little tidbits courtesy of watermelon.org Watermelon is thought to have originated in the Kalahari Desert of Africa. The first recorded watermelon harvest occurred nearly 5,000 years ago in Egypt and is depicted in Egyptia

CDC , FDA , along with several state and local health partners in US are cooperating with Canadian Food Inspection Agency ( CFIA ) to investigate a multistate Ecoli O103 and O121 outbreak linked to ground bison produced by Northfork Bison Distributions Inc. of Saint-Leonard, Québec, Canada. Here’s the latest on the Bison Burger Ecoli Outbreak: A total of 21 people from 7 states have fallen sick. Eight people have been hospitalised. No deaths or cases of hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a complication of STEC, have been reported yet. Here is a breakdown of cases according to states: New York (9), Florida (4), Pennsylvania (3), New Jersey (2), Michigan (1), Missouri (1) and Connecticut (1). What products are recalled? Natural Frontier Foods – Bison, ground meat – 280 gms Sensations – Extra lean ground bison – 280 gms La Terre des Bisons – Bison ground (lean) – 1.5 pounds Northfork Canadian Bison Ranch – Bison ground regular – 1.25 kg Northfork Canadian Bison Ranch – Bison ground

Massachusetts Department of Public Health announced this week that it is actively investigating a Massachusetts Cyclospora Outbreak. At this time, no food source has been identified. However, the MDPH is collaborating with the Centers for Disease Control to identify possible sources of exposure to the parasite. The Outbreak The MDPH reports that “most of the cases have been reported in eastern Massachusetts, specifically in the greater Boston area.” “More than 80 cases of the intestinal illness Cyclosporiasis have been reported since May,” said Dr. Larry Maddoff, medical director for the Bureau of Infectious Diseases and Laboratory Sciences at the Massachusetts Department of Public Health. About Cyclospora Cyclosporiasis is an intestinal illness caused by the microscopic parasite Cyclospora cayetanensis . People can become infected with Cyclospora by consuming food or water contaminated with the parasite. People living or traveling in countries where cyclosporiasis is endemic may

Ecoli O103 and O121 are back in the news with a joint outbreak linked to imported ground bison products. Curious? Here’s what we know about the Buffalo Burgers Ecoli Outbreak: Outbreak Announcement Late yesterday, the FDA and the CDC (with the support of the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA)) announced their collaboration in investigating a “multistate outbreak of E. coli O121 and E. coli O103 illnesses likely linked to ground bison supplied by Northfork Bison Distributions Inc. of Saint-Leonard, Québec, Canada.” At this time, there are a reported 21 cases in 7 states. Eight of those who are sick have been hospitalized. Thankfully, no cases of hemolytic uremic syndrome, a type of kidney failure, have been reported, and no deaths have been reported. Thus far, a total of 21 people infected with the outbreak strains of Ecoli O103 (6 people), Ecoli O121 (13 people), or both (2 people) have been reported from 7 states.   Table showing the number of ill people arranged by