FDA tracking several outbreaks

The FDA continues to investigate six ongoing outbreaks from foodborne pathogens, with increasing patient counts in four of the six.

This week, the Food and Drug Administration confirmed reports from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that an outbreak of Salmonella Enteritidis infection has been traced to eggs. Milo’s Poultry Farms LLC has recalled all of its eggs sold under its brand name and Tony’s Fresh Market brand.

As of Sept. 11, there were 65 confirmed patients sickened with the outbreak strain of Salmonella. Laboratory testing has found that the eggs are contaminated with the outbreak strain of Salmonella. Of the 63 patients with information available, 24 have required hospitalization. No deaths have been reported.

In other outbreak news, the case count for an outbreak of E. coli O157:H7 linked to a not yet identified food has increased from 26 to 27. The FDA first posted the outbreak on Aug. 28. The agency has not reported the ages of the patients or where they live. The FDA has initiated traceback but has not reported what food is being traced.

The patient count in an outbreak of Listeria monocytogenes infections has increased from three to four. The FDA has not yet determined a source for the outbreak. The agency has begun traceback and sample testing but has not reported what food is being traced and sampled. The FDA has not reported the ages of the patients or where they live.

The FDA has not yet found a source for an outbreak of the Cyclospora parasite. The agency first reported the outbreak on Aug. 7. As of Sept. 11, there were 54 confirmed patients, up from 50 a week ago. The FDA has not reported the patients’ ages or where they live. The agency has initiated traceback, testing, and onsite inspections but has not reported what food is being traced and tested or what location is being inspected.

In another outbreak of cyclospora parasite infection, the FDA initiated onsite inspections, but the agency has not reported which facility is being inspected. The FDA had already begun traceback and sample testing but has not reported what food is being traced and tested.

For an outbreak of Salmonella Typhimurium, the patient count had gone up by one compared to a week ago, with 90 people now infected with the outbreak strain. The FDA has initiated trace-back and sample testing but has not reported what food is being traced and tested. The agency has also begun on-site inspections but has not reported what facility is being inspected.

(To sign up for a free subscription to Food Safety News, click here)