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Second Salmonella outbreak linked to tomatoes

PORKER

Well-known member
Second Salmonella outbreak linked to tomatoes
Lisa Schnirring Contributing Writer


Dec 1, 2006 (CIDRAP News) – Federal officials are investigating a second Salmonella outbreak linked to restaurant tomatoes that occurred over the summer and early fall, sickening 106 people in 19 states.

The outbreak, first reported Nov 28 in the Produce News, involves restaurant tomatoes contaminated with Salmonella enterica serotype Norfolk.

The organism typically causes fever and nonbloody diarrhea that resolves in a week.

The S Norfolk outbreak marks the second Salmonella outbreak in tomatoes this fall. In early November, the CDC confirmed that an outbreak of Salmonella enterica serotype Typhimurium, which sickened 183 Americans in 21 states, plus two Canadians, was linked to restaurant tomatoes.

Christine Olson, MD, MPH, an epidemiology intelligence service officer with the enteric diseases epidemiology branch of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), told CIDRAP News that the outbreak was detected by PulseNet, an electronic network for sharing molecular fingerprinting (pulsed-field gel electrophoresis) data. She said the outbreak began in June and appears to have ended in October. She said the bulk of cases occurred in August and September; 15 cases were reported in October.

A case-control study the CDC launched in response to the S Newport outbreak revealed that about 35% to 40% of patients were hospitalized, she said.

Most of the S Newport cases occurred in the East Coast, Olson said. Pennsylvania, with 20 cases, had the highest number of illnesses. Though the S Newport outbreak geographically overlaps the S Typhimurium outbreak somewhat, she said the CDC wasn't aware of any people who were coinfected with both strains.

Olson said S Newport as been associated with tomatoes before. "We're trying to determine how best to prevent this type of contamination in produce," she noted. A multidrug resistant strain of S Newport has been responsible for cases of ground beef contamination in recent years.


The US Food and Drug Administration is working on a traceback investigation to determine the source of the S Norfolk contamination, Olson said.
 

PORKER

Well-known member
Olson said S Newport as been associated with tomatoes before. "We're trying to determine how best to prevent this type of contamination in produce," she noted. A multidrug resistant strain of S Newport has been responsible for cases of ground beef contamination in recent years.

OK MRJ , Must be Angus are causing the Tomato contamination,Huh???
 

PORKER

Well-known member
Maybe everyone should eat Cooked Food on the East Coast as per comment;Most of the S Newport cases occurred in the East Coast,
 

PORKER

Well-known member
Salmonella detected: Cantaloupes recalled
Posted on December 4, 2006 by Salmonella Attorney
Vandervoet & Associates, Inc. Firm Press Release: Vandervoet & Associates, Inc., Issues Recall for Cantaloupes--HDC Label Due to Potential Health Concerns Contact: Brian F. Vandervoet (520) 281-0454 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE—Rio Rico, Ariz.—December 1, 2006—Vandervoet & Associates, Inc. of Rio Rico, AZ announces a voluntary recall of its cantaloupes, HDC label. The melons have the potential to be contaminated with salmonella, a substance which may render them injurious to health. Absolutely, no illnesses have been reported to date. Healthy persons infected with salmonella may experience fever, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain or nausea. Rarely, a salmonella infection can enter the blood stream producing a more serious illness. In the elderly, weak, or infants, salmonella may prove fatal. The Food and Drug Administration recommends that anyone experiencing these symptoms following consumption of this cantaloupe, should seek medical advice. Approximately 7,400 cartons of cantaloupes were sold and distributed in the United States and Canada between November 9, 2006 and November 15, 2006. The cantaloupes were packed in cardboard cartons with contents of 9 to 23 melons per carton. The melons had a light green cast to the exterior, orange flesh, and firm fruit. Samples taken on November 9, 2006 by the FDA resulted in the recall. Laboratory tests made by the FDA demonstrated that a portion contained salmonella. Vandervoet & Associates, Inc. initiated the recall on November 17, 2006. Working together with the FDA and other organizations, Vandervoet & Associates is searching to identify all potential sources of contamination, and to eliminate them. Any consumers who may have purchased HDC cantaloupes are recommended to return them to their point of purchase for a full and complete refund of all expenses. Any consumer who has purchased cantaloupes during the above mentioned time frame may contact the place of purchase to inquire if the store sold the recalled labels. Any consumer with any questions may inquire by communicating with Vandervoet & Associates, at 1-520-281-0454.
 
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