Author: Kit Redwine
A study from Kansas State University has revealed new insights into how the H5N1 “bird flu” influenza virus spreads among dairy cattle. This research comes at a critical time, as the virus has affected over 200 dairy farms across 14 states since its first detection in the U.S. in spring 2024. Published in the journal Nature, the study was led by Dr. Juergen Richt, a distinguished professor at Kansas State’s College of Veterinary Medicine. Dr. Richt and his team, collaborating with German researchers, conducted experiments on both calves and lactating cows to understand how the virus transmits. The findings paint…
Malaysia – Food Poisoning Sickens Over 200 Students Around the Country PETALING JAYA – The food poisoning of 48 students has forced the closure of the school cafeteria at Mara Junior Science College. Six students were hospitalized for additional treatment. After visiting the college, a government health minister ordered the shutdown due to a number of facilities in need of disrepair. The ministry approved repair work for several departments and staff of the college have been given a month to resolve any outstanding issues. MEMBAKUT – A meal provided by an outside caterer is suspected in a food poisoning incident…
The final 2024 Alaska cruise of Royal Caribbean’s Radiance of the Seas experienced an unexpected challenge when a gastrointestinal illness outbreak spread among passengers and crew. The incident, which affected a significant number of travelers, required reporting to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) due to its scale. Outbreak Details Out of 2,172 guests aboard the vessel, 167 passengers reported symptoms consistent with gastrointestinal illness, according to cruisehive.com. These symptoms included diarrhea, cramps, headaches, and muscle aches. Additionally, 3 out of 894 crew members also reported similar symptoms. When combining both guests and crew, 5.51% of all individuals…
Antibiotic-resistant bacteria are strains of bacteria that have evolved the ability to survive or grow despite the presence of antibiotics that would normally kill them or inhibit their growth. This resistance occurs through genetic changes, often accelerated by the overuse or misuse of antibiotics in medicine and agriculture. As a result, infections caused by these bacteria become harder to treat, posing significant risks to public health. Many consumers know to finish their course of antibiotics to prevent the growth of bacterial resistance and good agricultural practices employ similar strategies. Preventing antibiotic-resistant bacteria from contaminating our food involves a combination of…
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has announced a recall by Mississauga, Ontario, Canada-based Maple Leaf Foods Inc. of multiple brands of sausage products due to contamination with nitrile glove pieces. Food contaminated with foreign objects has the potential to cause severe harm, including choking, injury, illness, or even death. Background The recall notice did not specify how the nitrile glove pieces in the affected products were discovered. Distribution The recalled products were distributed to retail locations nationwide across Canada. Product Details BrandProductSizeBest BeforeCodesUPC CodeBurnsPizza Pepperoni 4×20 COVVariableOctober 17, 2024EST 69BNoneCarver’s ChoiceSausage Snacks750 gNovember 27, 2024 December 3, 20240 63100…
On Friday, September 27, 2024, the Public Health Agency of Canada issued a public health notice for an outbreak of Salmonella Muenchen connected to pet geckos. Salmonella is a bacterium that can cause severe illness in both animals and humans. Geckos are small lizards that are found on every continent except Antarctica. Background The Public Health Agency of Canada is actively investigating this outbreak, which has resulted in 25 confirmed cases of Salmonella Muenchen infection spanning from August 2020 to September 2024. The ages of those infected range from 1 to 103 years old with 64% being female. There have…
Malaysia – 86 Students Sickened by Suspected Food Poisoning Food poisoning is suspected in the illness of 86 students at a school in Ipoh, a city near the west coast of the country. After dining at the school cafeteria, the affected students began displaying symptoms of stomach pain, diarrhea, and vomiting late Tuesday morning. So far, only one student was admitted to the hospital for treatment. An initial investigation has linked contaminated curry as the source of the illness. The local health department collected samples from the cafeteria and the results are pending. South Africa – Poisoned Food Suspected in…
Researchers at Osaka Metropolitan University have made a new discovery in the fight against Campylobacter infections. These infections, which primarily cause enteritis and can lead to severe complications like sepsis, remain a pressing concern worldwide, particularly affecting children under 5 and the elderly, according to a recent article from Asia Research News. Campylobacter jejuni, a pathogen notorious for causing gastroenteritis and occasionally more serious extra-intestinal infections, has long eluded effective prevention and treatment methods. The absence of a vaccine or targeted medication has made controlling these infections challenging. However, the recent findings from the Osaka-based research team offer a promising…
As previously reported on by Food Poisoning News, a recall tied to Listeria contaminated deli sliced meats, which was later expanded to include an additional 7 million pounds of product, has been updated with new information from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). The CDC’s investigation, which began on July 19, 2024, is still open. September 25, 2024 Update Where People Got Sick According to the CDC, it is likely that more people in more states were affected because “some people recover without medical care and are not tested for Listeria.” Product Details Consumer Advisory Consumers should search their homes…
Around the country, many cities both big and small are known for their vibrant food truck offerings, providing diverse cuisines at concerts, festivals, and sporting events. However, to ensure food safety, mobile food vendors must follow the same rules as traditional brick and mortar restaurants. A number of cities have seen a recent increase in unpermitted mobile food vendors. Local health departments often advise residents to avoid these vendors to protect themselves from possible foodborne illnesses and to support vendors who follow proper food safety practices. A particular concern has arisen in several cities regarding unpermitted vendors using makeshift push…