Salmonella, Listeria, Cyclospora, Oh My!

According to Food Safety News, Federal officials are investigating two new foodborne illness outbreaks, but have not yet been able to identify a source of the pathogens.

One outbreak, from Salmonella Lomalinda, has sickened 30 people. The Food and Drug Administration has not reported the patients’ ages or where they live. The agency has not yet begun food traceback, location inspections or sample testing.

In the other new outbreak of infections, from Listeria monocytogenes, eight people are confirmed sick. The FDA has not yet reported whether any of the patients have been hospitalized, which is usually the case in Listeria outbreaks. The agency has not begun traceback efforts, site inspections or sample testing. The FDA first posted the outbreak on Aug. 17.

Other outbreak updates

For an outbreak of Salmonella Enteritidis, first posted on Aug. 27, the FDA has initiated sample testing. The patient count has increased from 39 to 40 cases since a week ago. The FDA has not reported where the patients live or how old they are. The FDA is conducting traceback and onsite inspections, but has not reported what food is being traced or tested or what site is being inspected.

For an outbreak caused by the parasite Cyclospora the FDA has initiated sample testing. The patient count has increased to 67, up from 51 a week ago. The agency has not reported the patients’ ages or where they live. The FDA has not yet determined a source of the parasite, but in addition to testing it has initiated traceback efforts and an onsite inspection. The agency has not reported what food is being traced or what facility is being inspected. The FDA first posted the outbreak on Aug. 13.

For a separate outbreak caused by the parasite Cyclospora, the patient count has increased to 47, up from 41 a week ago. The FDA has initiated traceback efforts but has not reported what food is being traced. The agency has also begun an onsite inspection and sample testing but is not reporting what location is being inspected or what samples it is testing. The FDA first posted the outbreak on July 16. 

The FDA is continuing to investigate several other foodborne illness outbreaks, but has not updated information on those outbreaks. For the most recent details on these outbreaks, click here.

Republished with permission from Bill Marler and Marler Clark. Copyright (c) Marler Clark LLP, PS. All rights reserved.