Hey Kid, Step Away from that Frog

child frog nose-smaller.jpgAnd, for that matter other amphibians and reptiles.

CDC just released a new report entitled “Outbreak of Salmonellosis Associated with Pet Turtle Exposures — United States, 2011”. This report describes an outbreak of 132 human Salmonella infections between August 2010 and September 2011 associated with exposure to small turtles (those with shell lengths < 4 inches). Many of these infections occurred in young children, whose illness can be severe and cause hospitalization. Despite a three decade ban on the sale of small turtles, these infections continue to occur. CDC reported similar outbreaks in 2007 and 2008.  Increasing enforcement of existing regulations, increasing penalties for illegal sales and emphasizing regulations can assist in decreasing infections acquired from these reptiles. Turtles are not appropriate pets in households with young children or other high risk individuals (pregnant women, older persons and the immune-compromised).

Please follow this link to educational materials on human Salmonella infections associated with small turtles and other reptiles.  Also, a web-friendly flyer is located at the following website so other organizations can link to it online: http://www.cdc.gov/healthypets/resources/posters.htm

The CDC is asking for your help to further distribute this educational flyer to help convey the important prevention messages to any individuals, groups, or organizations involved with turtles and other pet reptiles. We recommend that these flyers be displayed where young children may come into contact with small turtles, like pet stores, flea markets, day care centers, and schools. 

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Campylobacter Linked to Raw Milk Consumption Strikes 38 in Four States

The Family Cow Raw MilkAccording to AP, an outbreak of a Campylobacter bacterial infection due to consuming raw milk from a Edwin Shank’s Family Cow Farm in Pennsylvania is now linked to 38 illnesses in four states, The farm has temporarily suspended sales. Four are sick in Maryland according to the Maryland Department of Health. One person is sick in New Jersey and two in West Virginia, according to the Pennsylvania Department of Health. Thirty-one people are sick in Pennsylvania, many of them in Franklin County, where the farm is located.

Campylobacter is the second most common cause of bacterial foodborne illness in the United States after Salmonella. Active surveillance through FoodNet indicates that there are about 13 cases for each 100,000 persons in the population diagnosed yearly with C. jejuni infection (MMWR, 2009, April 10). In 2009, there were 6,033 reported cases of campylobacteriosis; however the CDC estimates that C. jejuni causes approximately 845,000 illnesses, 8,400 hospitalizations, and 76 deaths in the United States each year, according to a 2011 report.

For more on the risks of raw milk, see Real Raw Milk Facts Dot Com.

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Michael Foods Recalls Hard-Cooked Eggs Packed In Brine Sold In 10 and 25 Pound Pails Because Of Listeria Risk

Michael Foods, Inc. is recalling specific lot dates of hard-cooked eggs in brine sold in 10- and 25-pound pails for institutional use that were produced at its Wakefield, Nebraska facility because the product has the potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. Listeria monocytogenes is an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems.  Although healthy individuals may suffer only short-term symptoms such as high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea, Listeria infection can cause miscarriages and stillbirths among pregnant women.

The recalled eggs were purchased by food distributors and manufacturers located in 34 states (AL, AR, AZ, CA, CO, FL, GA, IA, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MI, MN, MO, MS, MT, NC, ND, NE, NJ, NV, OH, OK, OR, PA, SC, TN, TX, UT, WA, WI, WV). The recall is limited to hard-cooked eggs in brine in 10- and 25-pound pails prodced at its Wakefield, Nebraska facility, which are labeled under six brand names (Columbia Valley Farms, GFS, Glenview Farms, Papetti’s, Silverbrook, Wholesome Farms) and bearing lot codes of 1 LOT 1350W through 1 LOT 2025W and expiration dates ranging from 1/30/2012 to 3/10/2012

Only lot codes immediately preceded by a “1” AND ending in a “W” are affected, please see the following example:

Here is an example of the lot codes on the packaging: USE BY 11 FEB 12    1  LOT 1362 W – Product Labels

USE BY 11 FEB 12 = Use by Date
1 = line impacted by recall
LOT 1362 = Lot Number
W = Wakefield 

None of the eggs were sold directly by Michael Foods to retailers or consumers.  However, food distributors and manufacturers who purchased the eggs could have used them in products that were sold to retail outlets or used in foodservice settings.  Michael Foods is working with customers who purchased eggs from these lots to ensure that all product is removed from the market.  Consumers who believe they might have purchased product affected by the recall, or those who are unsure, should contact the original place of purchase.        

There have been no confirmed reports of illness in connection with this product.

The recall was initiated after lab testing revealed that some of the eggs within the recalled lot dates may have been contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes.  A recall of three lot dates was announced on Thursday, January 26.  As a precautionary measure, the recall was expanded today to include additional lot dates.  Michael Foods reached the decision to expand this recall after a thorough investigation which indicated a specific repair project that took place in the packaging room as the likely source of the

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Unopened Family Cow Raw Milk Bottles Test Positive for Campylobacter

Update - 35 Now Sick

The Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DHMH) continues to advise consumers who purchased raw milk produced by The Family Cow dairy in Chambersburg, Franklin County, Pennsylvania, to discard any product purchased from this farm since January 1, 2012.

The DHMH Laboratories Administration has confirmed the presence of Campylobacter jejuni in two unopened raw milk samples purchased from this farm. 

To date, there are 23 confirmed outbreak-related campylobacteriosis cases: 4 in Maryland and 19 in Pennsylvania, all of whom consumed raw milk from The Family Cow Farm.

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Oklahoma's OK - it outs Taco Bell in 10 State Salmonella Outbreak

Oklahoma State Department of Health
Acute Disease Service 

Summary of Supplemental Questionnaire Responses Specific to
Taco Bell Exposure of Oklahoma Outbreak-associated Cases
Multistate Salmonella Enteritidis Outbreak Investigation
November 2011 – January 2012 

Summary Demographic information

• 16 cases in 5 Oklahoma counties - Cleveland (10), Bryan (2), Lincoln (2), Pottawatomie (1), and Greer (1)

• Onset date range: 10/21/2011 – 11/18/2011 - 1 onset date unknown but believes around Thanksgiving

• Hospitalizations: 4

• Gender distribution: 10 (63%) females and 6 (37%) males

• Age range: 5 to 78 years (median 23 years)

Taco Bell exposure summary of Oklahoma cases from supplemental case-control questionnaire responses

• Total Oklahoma cases: 16

• Total interviewed: 12/16 (4 refused or were lost-to-follow-up)

• Consumed food from Taco Bell: 8/11

Like I said to MSNBC:

But food safety advocates had been putting pressure on state and federal agencies to reveal the name of firms involved in outbreaks in this case -- and those in the future.

"I think it just proves the point that it is always better to be transparent," said Bill Marler, a Seattle food safety lawyer who used his blog to lobby vigorously for the release of the name. "Taco Bell could have looked like a hero by coming out and saying that it was a supplier problem and they are going to work hard to make sure it never happens again."

And, Taco Bell's response:

In response Taco Bell said in a statement that investigators found that some of the people who became ill ate at Taco Bell, while others did not. "They believe that the problem likely occurred at the supplier level before it was delivered to any restaurant or food outlet. We take food quality and safety very seriously," Taco Bell said.

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If I Drank Raw Milk, I might buy it from Ed Shank's Dairy

familycowsign.jpgI do not drink raw milk, and suggest against it, and I would never suggest that children or the elderly drink it, (see, www.realrawmilkfacts.com for reasons why) but if I did, a guy like Ed Shank of Your Family Cow Dairy might get me to buy it from him.  Right now, however, he has a bit of a problem.

According to several news reports, the Pennsylvania and Maryland Departments of Health have confirmed cases of Campylobacter infections have increased to a total of 20 confirmed cases – 16 cases have been confirmed in Pennsylvania and four cases of the bacterial illness have been confirmed in the State of Maryland. Testing of the product is still underway at the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture.  Testing by Ed’s Dairy has so far come back negative.

Although Ed and his customers ( I think I have received a few dozen emails from them) have appropriately raised issues about the epidemiology of Pennsylvania’s and Maryland’s investigation, I was struck by this recent comment from the Farm’s website:

Many of you think an illness is impossible from a dairy as clean, careful, and caring as we are and have told us so. We understand. We would like to think that too, but the fact remains that we are human and we want to be humble enough to admit that it could have been us…either we personally or an equipment failure. 

That is not what I see often from the proponents of raw milk (Mark, I hope you are paying attention?).  There are no conspiracy theories by Ed, just a hard look at the stark facts of epidemiology – people that drank his milk are now sick.

Perhaps David Gumpert, (a.k.a., the Pope of Raw Milk) got it right almost one year ago today when Ed preemptively recalled his raw milk tainted with Campylobacter after his own tests came back positive:

All I can say to those in the public health and regulatory communities who snidely argue that producers of raw dairy are in denial about safety, The times, they are a 'changin, and farmers like Pennsylvania dairyman Edwin Shank are leading the way.

So, more so than anything, let’s hope that the people sickened get well soon.  As for the investigation, the facts and the science will win out.  Hopefully, however those facts play out, we can move food safety forward - Ed has been a big help.

And, please remember that a Campylobacter illness can be much more than a tummy ache:

See, The Alexandre Eco Farms Dairy Raw Milk Campylobacter Outbreak

Also See, Outbreaks, Illnesses and Recalls Linked to Raw (Unpasteurized) and Pasteurized Dairy Products, United States January 2010 – November 2011

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Despite Denials by Family Cow Customers, PA and MD Health Departments Link Campylobacter to Raw Milk Consumption

rawmilk-small.jpgAccording to press reports, the number of people confirmed sickened by raw milk from a Franklin County Pennsylvania store is on the rise. Last week, the Pennsylvania and Maryland State Health Departments issued an advisory that raw milk sold by The Family Cow store in Chambersburg may contain harmful bacteria.

Raw milk is milk that has not been pasteurized. The number of cases becoming infected with Campylobacter has doubled from six to 12 in Pennsylvania and Maryland. All the confirmed cases were people who drank milk purchased at The Family Cow. The store sells directly to consumers in an on farm retail store and at drop off locations and retail stores. The farm has voluntarily suspended raw milk production.

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CDC, FDA and 10 State Health Departments still withholding the name of "Mexican-style fast food restaurant chain, Restaurant Chain A" linked to Salmonella Outbreak - UPDATED

who-what-where-when-why-how.pngIn journalism, the “Five Ws and one H” – Who, What, When, Where, Why and How are regarded as the basics of information gathering for news.

Perhaps, it is time to do a little journalism?

Who became Ill?  A total of 68 individuals infected with the outbreak strain of Salmonella Enteritidis have been reported from 10 states.

What do we know?  The CDC collaborated with public health officials in multiple states and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to investigate a multistate outbreak of Salmonella Enteritidis infections which was associated with eating food from a "Mexican-style fast food restaurant chain, Restaurant Chain A."

When was the Outbreak?  The outbreak began October 13, 2011 until the final report was publishing on January 19, 2012.

Where are the Illnesses?  The number of ill persons identified in each state with the outbreak strain was as follows: Texas (43), Oklahoma (16), Kansas (2), Iowa (1), Michigan (1), Missouri (1), Nebraska (1), New Mexico (1), Ohio (1) and Tennessee (1).

Why we don’t know?  What is "Mexican-style fast food restaurant chain, Restaurant Chain A" with restaurants in at least Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, Iowa, Michigan, Missouri, Nebraska, New Mexico, Ohio and Tennessee?

How is it that we still don't know?  Well, after spending several hours trying to figure out what "Mexican-style fast food restaurant chains" do or do not have locations in Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, Iowa, Michigan, Missouri, Nebraska, New Mexico, Ohio and Tennessee, I gave up.  Which make me wonder how pissed the other "Mexican-style fast food restaurant chains" that are not "Restaurant A."

Update:

CDC says total number ill are 68 in Texas (43), Oklahoma (16), Kansas (2), Iowa (1), Michigan (1), Missouri (1), Nebraska (1), New Mexico (1), Ohio (1), and Tennessee (1).

So, which restaurant?  It could be any of the ones below, but more likely the one in BOLD – CDC only says where people got sick – it could be that they ate in a restaurant in another state then where they reside.

- Taco Bell: Multiple locations in every outbreak state.

- Qdoba: In every outbreak state; Only 1 in Northwest corner of NM (officials from Qdoba have confirmed that they are not retaurant A).

- Chipotle: In all outbreak states except Tennessee, which has one victim. However, there are locations in 3 of Tennessee’s neighboring states.  Only one NM location (officials from Chipolte have confirmed that they are not retaurant A).

- Del Taco: Locations in all but 3 outbreak states (IA, KS and TN), but Kansas has one right over the border in MO.

- Taco Del Mar: Not in KS, MO, or TN, but right on TN border with Mississippi.

- Taco John’s: In all outbreak states but OK, MI, and TN, but one right across TN border in Kentucky.

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Pennsylvania Family Cow Dairy Linked to Six Campylobacter Cases

Screen Shot 2012-01-27 at 8.34.25 PM.pngThe Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene is reporting multiple Campylobacter infection cases associated with consumption of raw (unpasteurized) milk from the Family Cow dairy store in Chambersburg, PA. DHMH, in conjunction with the Pennsylvania Department of Health, advises consumers that milk recently purchased from this store may contain harmful bacteria.

To date, there are six confirmed campylobacteriosis cases: three in Maryland and three in Pennsylvania, all of whom consumed raw milk from this farm. Maryland DHMH recommends consumers discard any product purchased from this farm since January 1, 2012.

Campylobacter is a bacterial cause of diarrhea, nausea and vomiting, and can progress to more serious illness, such as a bloodstream infection and other complications. Illness generally occurs two to five days after exposure. In 2011, Maryland reported nearly 600 Campylobacter infections.

The implicated milk is labeled “raw milk” (meaning, not pasteurized) and is sold under “The Family Cow” label in plastic gallon, half gallon, quart and pint containers. The Family Cow dairy sells directly to consumers at its on-farm retail store and at multiple drop-off locations and retail stores in the following Pennsylvania counties: Bucks, Cumberland, Dauphin, Delaware, Franklin, Lebanon, Montgomery, Philadelphia and York counties.

Raw milk and products made from raw milk (including certain cheeses, ice cream, and yogurt) can pose severe health risks. Pasteurization is performed by briefly heating raw milk to kill disease-causing germs (e.g., Salmonella, Escherichia coli O157, Campylobacter) that can be found in raw milk. Maryland state law prohibits the sale of unpasteurized milk.

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There are Some Rotten (Listeria) Eggs Out There - Sysco Recall

This found its way into my inbox tonight:

URGENT – MICHAEL FOODS INC PRODUCT RECALL

IMMEDIATE ACTION NECESSARY

INTERNAL CORRESPONDENCE – DO NOT FORWARD

Sysco Quality Assurance received notification that MICHAEL FOODS, INC., is conducting a voluntary product RECALL of hard-cook egg product.

The reason for the RECALL is due to a presumptive positive for Listeria monocytogenes in specific lots of products. Listeria monocytogenes can produce mild flu-like symptoms in all individuals. However, in susceptible individuals, including pregnant women, newborns, and the immunocompromised, it can result in more severe symptoms, which include: septicemia, meningitis, encephalitis, spontaneous abortion, and stillbirth. Symptoms start from 3 days to 3 weeks after consumption. Mortality is high to those that display the more severe symptoms. There have been no complaints, reported illnesses, or concerns identified with the products in the marketplace presently.

THE AFFECTED PRODUCTS ARE AS FOLLOWS:

SUPC 1403898

MPC 74865-56841-00

PACK/SZ 1/10LB

BRAND WHLFCLS

DESCRIPTION EGG HARDBOILED WHL PEEL SEL

AFFECTED LOT CODES: 

SUPC LOT CODES

1403898 1363W

Sysco Kansas City shipped this product from approximate dates of 9 January 2012 to 25 January 2012.

PLEASE TAKE THE FOLLOWING ACTIONS:

1. Review your inventory for the above listed products.

2. If any of the products in question are in inventory, place the products on hold for destruction.

3. Contact your customers that may have received the products and ask that they destroy affected inventory.

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