Author: McKenna Madison Coveny

Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS) and Pulsed Field Gel Electrophoresis (PFGE) are important tools the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have used in order to collect and compare data pertaining to different foodborne outbreaks across the nation. What is the difference between the two, and is it really important which method researchers use? For starters, both techniques look at an organism’s DNA. Each individual organism (whether it be a whale, fish, or a toad), has a different genetic makeup, and therefore a unique genetic pattern. This pattern is composed of nucleotide bases (A, T, C, G), and if someone…

Salmonella is one of the most common foodborne illnesses in the world, causing approximately 1.35 million infections, 26,500 hospitalizations, and 420 deaths in the United States alone every year, according to estimates by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). This being so, one often wonders how one little type of bacteria can cause wide-spread destruction. This is because “salmonella” does not refer to a single type of bacteria. In reality, there are hundreds, even thousands, of salmonella serotypes. Serotypes, according to the CDC, are groups within a single “species” of microorganisms, such as bacteria or viruses, which share…

44 People Sickened after Eating at Shaved Ice Restaurant In South Taiwan, a local shaved ice restaurant has been closed down, and fined NT$300,000 (USD $9,600) after an outbreak of Salmonella bacteria. Thus far, twenty-three people have been sickened, and several have been hospitalized. After a thorough inspection of the restaurant and its premises, the health officials of Kaohsiung City Government Department of Health were not pleased.             Upon investigation, officials found dirty floors, surfaces, and an uncovered trash can. The health department then conducted on-site testing of the samples taken from the shaved-ice toppings, surfaces of equipment frequently…

Climate Change is Worsening Foodborne Illnesses While the ever-rising global temperatures may be considered a blessing by some people, when it comes to foodborne illnesses and the transmission of pathogens, it certainly is not. Epidemiologists have noted that during the warmer, late spring and early summer months, there is a very noticeable uptick in the number of reported foodborne illnesses. Why is this? This is mostly due to the fact that warmer, more humid conditions are what facilitate the growth and spread of these bacteria. Furthermore, since every year the warmer months are becoming longer and longer, and…

The iPhone: The Dirtiest Item A Person Owns Over time, iPhones have been incorporated into practically every aspect of a person’s daily routine. People check their phones when they get up in the morning, use them to play music in the shower, take them with them to school or work, use them on practically all forms of public transit, and more. For this reason alone it shouldn’t be surprising that these little boxes of metal often carry more germs than a public bathroom toilet seat. Why is this? What makes peoples’ handheld devices so gross? Well, according to a…

Local New York Beach Closed due to Elevated Levels of E.coli Just today the locals of Plattsburgh City received a notice about their beloved beach: its beautiful waters are not safe to swim in at the moment. Luckily, this isn’t permanent, as swimming has only been prohibited temporarily due to findings of elevated levels of E.coli. Health officials received the results of the water quality test samples taken yesterday this morning, and ever since, have been working to make sure that the beach will reopen soon. Lucky for Plattsburgh’s residents and tourists alike, the beach itself remains open, and…

Vibrio: It is More Dangerous Than You Think When people think of typical food poisoning bacteria, usually Salmonella, E.coli, or Listeria are the first pathogens that come to mind. Not many think about Vibriosis, because it isn’t nearly as common. While not common, it is much more dangerous. Vibrio bacteria proves this everyday, as the CDC reports: “As many as 1 in 5 people with a Vibrio vulnificus infection die. This is because Vibrio vulnificus infection can lead to bloodstream infections, severe skin blistering, and limb amputations.” In short, it rapidly escalates. What is Vibriosis? According to the CDC: “Vibrio…

Food poisoning illnesses are already pesky enough in the cold weather, but what happens when the bacteria that causes these illnesses are exposed to warmer temperatures? Well, since bacteria tends to thrive in a warmer, more humid environment, food poisoning illnesses tend to become more common during the summer time. This also means that it is important for consumers to clean and store their products properly in order to prevent both bacterial contamination and the spread of these harmful pathogens. Rules such as always washing hands, or rinsing off fruits and vegetables before consumption, become that much more vital to…

Most people are pretty familiar with the term “Salmonella” and what it means. Salmonella is a foodborne illness that can be contracted by consuming contaminated drink or food such as unpasteurized dairy, raw meats, and fresh fruits and vegetables. According to the CDC, Salmonella causes approximately 1.35 million infections, 26,500 hospitalizations, and 420 deaths in the United States every year. Although it is quite common, most people are unaware that there are different types of Salmonella, called “serotypes”. There are actually hundreds of different serotypes of Salmonella, although scientists have identified “less than 100” that are commonly found in humans.…

            E.coli, a sometimes dangerous bacteria, has been found in the Chattahoochee River at levels too risky for human activity. Since the discovery, it has been reported that a “popular stretch of the river” has been closed off to the public, halting certain summer activities such as tubing and kayaking.             The main area of the river that is affected is an approximately 15 mile stretch, from Roswell to Atlanta. Staff that help monitor the bacteria levels in the river reported finding high levels of E.coli, leading to a dangerous imbalance between good bacteria and bad. The problem was identified…