Posts

Showing posts from July, 2020

Michigan Red Onions Salmonella Outbreak — Mystery Solved! 

Michigan Red Onions Salmonella Outbreak sickens 23.  The Salmonella outbreak has been puzzling health investigators for weeks, with no real source in sight.  Michigan residents have been cautioned to look out for symptoms, but until today avoidance tactics were futile – without knowing what to avoid.  This outbreak that has sickened 510 in the United States and Canada and hospitalized 75 finally has a source!  Red Onions. A Long Way to the Source in Michigan Red Onions Salmonella Outbreak Investigators have been scratching their heads and working hard on traceback activities to narrow down the source.  Until today, the source was unknown.  A previous update indicated that “though it is typically from food, no specific food, grocery store, or restaurant has been linked to the outbreak.”  Other notable Salmonella Newport outbreaks have been linked to produce, meat, and dairy products.  But that didn’t do much to narrow down the field. With th...

California Red Onion Salmonella Outbreak

California is among 34 states to have an outbreak of Salmonella due to red onions. This doesn’t come as a shock seeing the trend in rising cases among the many states. While people are finding themselves hospitalized from this outbreak, thankfully none have succumbed to the illness. Many who have Salmonella are never tested because they aren’t aware that they need to be or the illness passes without concern, however certain demographic groups are hit harder than others. Here is what we know so far in this California Red Onion Salmonella Outbreak: From the CDC Since our last update on July 24, 2020, an additional 184 ill people have been reported in this outbreak, including 37 from 11 new states: Alaska, Colorado, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Nevada, New York, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, and Texas. A total of 396 people infected with the outbreak strain of Salmonella Newport have been reported from 34 states. Fifty-nine hospitalizations have been reported. No deaths have ...

Montana Red Onions Salmonella Outbreak

Over the past few weeks the CDC has been keeping a close eye on a Salmonella outbreak that has hit Montana and multiple other states, and has infected over 200 individuals. While this is not the first time an outbreak of this size has caused this kind of turmoil, it is the first time we have had to battle an outbreak during a pandemic. Talk about a double-whammy. Here’s what we know about this Montana Red Onions Salmonella Outbreak. While we have a few minutes today, I want us to discuss what is happening, look at the details, and focus on one of the states with the largest amount of cases. In mid-July, the CDC released an announcement that they were watching a local Salmonella outbreak. As the days flew by, more and more states revealed cases. As of the writing of this post, here are the numbers: Reported Cases: 396 States: 34 Hospitalizations: 59 Deaths: 0 Recall: Yes The affected states include: AK (6), AZ (14), CA (49), CO (10), FL (3), ID (5), IL (10), IN (2), IA (15)...

British Columbia Red Onions Salmonella Outbreak

An ongoing Salmonella outbreak linked to red onions has sickened 55 more people in Canada pushing the total number of cases to 114. The Western provinces in the country are majorly reporting the cases. A total of 43 people in British Columbia and 55 in Alberta have been affected. 13 people in Manitoba, 2 in Ontario and 1 in Prince Edward Island are also exposed. This British Columbia red onions Salmonella outbreak has hit hard. The case from PE Island traveled to Alberta. Another province, Saskatchewan, recently started investigating some new Salmonella Newport infections, but they haven’t been confirmed yet. Based on the investigations till now, onions imported from the US are the likely source of the outbreak. Many of the individuals sickened as part of the outbreak said they ate red onions before experiencing symptoms. The Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) along with the US Center for Disease Prevention and Control (CDC) and local health institutes like the BC Centre for Dise...

Thomson International Onions Recall Linked to US-Canada Salmonella Outbreak

In Canada, Sysco has announced a recall of red onions. Now, in the US, Thomson International, Inc. has initiated its own recall. FDA’s traceback investigation is ongoing but has identified Thomson International, Inc. of Bakersfield, CA as a likely source of potentially contaminated red onions.  Here is what we know about the Thomson International Onions Recall: About the Thomson International Onions Recall Thompson International Onions have been linked to the growing US Salmonella outbreak.  The CDC warns Americans about red onions, white onions, yellow onions, and sweet onion varietals from Thompson International Inc. What Is Thompson International, Inc.? Based in Bakersfield, California, Thompson International Inc. grows and packs yellow, white and red onions. Thomson International sells to retailers, wholesalers, food service operations and processors throughout North America and exports onions overseas. Thompson International packs them in 50 pound or 25 pound sacks ...

Oregon Red Onions Salmonella Outbreak

Oregon (among other states) is in the middle of a large and dangerous outbreak. Over the past few weeks, more and more cases of Salmonella have been reported, which have now been linked to red onions. During the midst of a pandemic, it is hard to not let other outbreaks cast a shadow but we need to still be aware of them. Here is what we know about this an Oregon Red Onions Salmonella Outbreak: In the past few days, some new information has come to light that we all need to be made aware of. While we have this time together, I want us to look at what is happening, what the CDC and other Health Agencies are saying, and look at how we need to keep ourselves and our families safe. The CDC reported back in mid-July there was a Salmonella outbreak and it was spreading fast. To date, this is what we know: There have been 212 reported cases. 23 states are involved in this outbreak 31 individuals have been hospitalized 0 deaths have been recorded. The states that have recorded cases ...

Scooter Company Revel Suspends NYC Operations After Fatal Crashes

The ride-sharing scooter company Revel has temporarily suspended its services in New York City while the company reassesses safety protocols following two deadly accidents. On July 28, the scooter service sent out the following message on Twitter: New York riders – starting today, NYC service will be shut down until further notice. We’re reviewing and strengthening our rider accountability and safety measures and communicating with city officials, and we look forward to serving you again in the near future. A local CBS broadcast journalist died after falling off a Revel moped on July 18. The victim, 26-year-old Nina Kapur, was riding on the back of the moped, which was being driven by an unidentified 26-year-old man at the time of the accident. Revel provides riders with two helmets each time they rent a moped, but neither Kapur nor the driver was wearing them. Kapur died at Bellevue Hospital on the same day. The driver only suffered minor injuries. Just ten days after Kapur’s de...

Arizona Red Onion Salmonella Outbreak

Arizona is involved in a Salmonella outbreak that has been linked to a household favorite around the entire country; red onions. This Arizona Red Onion Salmonella Outbreak has been called a rapidly growing event and has spanned 23 states and now Canada. A recall of red onions has already been initiated. As of Wednesday there were 212 reported cases resulting in 31 hospitalizations. Arizona according to the CDC is reporting 13 cases. The earliest cases from this outbreak go back to July 10, when the CDC identified an outbreak of 13 salmonella infections in three states. The investigation is ongoing. Here are the symptoms of a salmonella illness, according to the CDC: Most people infected with Salmonella develop diarrhea, fever, and stomach cramps 6 hours to 6 days after being exposed to the bacteria. The illness usually lasts 4 to 7 days, and most people recover without treatment. In some people, the illness may be so severe that the patient needs to be hospitalized. Salmonella ...

Wyoming Red Onion Salmonella Outbreak

Wyoming hasn’t been able to escape the latest Salmonella outbreak which seems to be rooted (no pun intended) in red onions. Current CDC statistics say that there are 9 reported cases which everyone knows could be many more as often Salmonella goes undetected. Here is what we know about the Wyoming Red Onion Salmonella Outbreak. Illnesses started on dates ranging from June 19, 2020, to July 11, 2020, Ill people range in age from 0 to 92 years, with a median age of 40. Fifty-four percent of ill people are female. Of 117 ill people with information available, 31 hospitalizations have been reported. No deaths have been reported. Illnesses might not yet be reported due to the time it takes between when a person becomes ill and when the illness is reported. This takes an average of 2 to 4 weeks. Please see the Timeline for Reporting Cases of Salmonella Infection for more details. Whole genome sequencing analysis of 48 isolates from ill people did not predict any antibiotic resistance. S...

Sysco Recalls Red Onions in Salmonella Outbreak

Image
Residents of the US and Canada – we know have a source in the mystery Salmonella outbreak. Red onions! According to the CDC , 212 Americans are sick in this outbreak and 114 cases in Canada according to the Public Health Agency of Canada . PHA confirmed that they discovered the source of the outbreak just yesterday. Now, US distributor Sysco recalls red onions in Canada. But what about the US? Here is everything we know about this Salmonella Outbreak and this recall: The Recall According to the Government of Canada: “Sysco is recalling red onions imported from the USA from the marketplace due to possible  Salmonella  contamination. Consumers should not consume the recalled products described below or foods containing these raw red onions. Food service establishments, institutions, retailers, distributors and manufacturers should not serve, use, or sell the recalled products described below. These may also have been purchased from Sysco on-line or through various resta...

Si Casa Flores Salmonella Outbreak Caused By Red Onions?

Could red onions be the mystery culprit in the Si Casa Flores outbreak ? Some preliminary links from Canada look like it. Here’s what we know: What is Going on in Oregon Josephine County Public Health reported that a local Salmonella cluster of cases has affected several individuals in Grants Pass, Oregon, after dining at a local restaurant. Josephine County Public Health officials are seeking additional customers who may have also been exposed. Public Health is investigating a cluster of individuals with documented Salmonella potentially linked to Si Casa Flores, 202 N.E. Beacon Drive in Grants Pass. Two of the individuals have been hospitalized. Public Health specialists conducted an on-site inspection of the facility and collected 17 specimens for laboratory testing. The local news reported that Oregon appears to be the hot spot for the nationwide Salmonella outbreak: The first cases emerged on June 19, with the latest cases were identified last week. It’s not clear where the ...

US Red Onions Salmonella Outbreak Sickens 114 Canadians

114 Canadians are sick in the US Red Onions Salmonella Outbreak.  The Public Health Agency of Canada announced that, “Investigators have determined that red onions imported from the United States (U.S.) are a likely source of the outbreak.”  16 Canadians have been hospitalized.  5 Canadian provinces have been affected in the most recent Salmonella case count: British Columbia (43), Alberta (55), Manitoba (13), Ontario (2), and Prince Edward Island (1). The individual from Prince Edward Island reported travelling to Alberta before becoming ill. Saskatchewan has not reported any confirmed illnesses related to this outbreak, but provincial public health authorities are investigating some  Salmonella  Newport illnesses in the province. Salmonella Symptoms Symptoms of a   Salmonella  infection , called salmonellosis, typically start 6 to 72 hours after exposure to  Salmonella  bacteria from an infected animal, person or contaminated product...

Red Onions Salmonella Outbreak Sickens 326 in US and Canada

Red Onions have sickened 326 and hospitalized 47 people in the US and Canada.  For weeks the CDC and Public Health Agency of Canada have been investigating a mystery Salmonella outbreak .  Until today, the cause of this Salmonella outbreak remained a mystery.  But on July 30, 2020, the Public Health Agency of Canada announced that, “Investigators have determined that red onions imported from the United States (U.S.) are a likely source of the outbreak.”  Many of the patients reported eating red onions before getting Salmonella food poisoning. Red Onions Salmonella Outbreak Warning The Public Health Agency of Canada has advised, “Until more is known about the outbreak, individuals in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, and Ontario are advised to not eat any red onions imported to Canada from the U.S., including any food products that contain raw red onions imported from U.S.. Retailers and restaurants in these locations are also advised not to use, s...