Brazil
FLORENCE – Food Poisoning Suspected in Deaths of 3 Nursing Home Residents
An investigation into the deaths of three elderly nursing home residents, reportedly caused by severe gastroenteritis potentially tied to food poisoning, has been launched by the State Attorney’s Office in Florence, Brazil.
The probe focuses on 114 residents from four local care homes who fell ill last Sunday. Prosecutors are evaluating charges of culpable trade of adulterated food and manslaughter, though no individuals have been formally placed under investigation.
Two of the residents died on Monday at a local hospital, while a third passed away on Thursday at a second facility. A fourth resident’s death has been ruled unrelated to the outbreak. In total, 173 seniors were residing at the affected care homes at the time of the incident.
Health authorities continue to assess the situation.
India
ANDHRA PRADESH – Indian State Sees Increase in Food Poisoning Incidents
Health authorities in Andhra Pradesh have expressed concerns over a significant increase in cases of diarrhea and food poisoning across the state. Recent reports indicate a surge in illnesses, particularly in urban and rural areas, with hospitals and clinics witnessing a steady influx of patients complaining of gastrointestinal symptoms. The spike has prompted health officials to investigate potential causes and implement measures to curb the spread of these illnesses.
According to data collected by the state health department, over the past few weeks, hundreds of individuals have sought medical treatment for symptoms such as vomiting, abdominal pain, dehydration, and diarrhea. Many of these cases have been linked to contaminated food and water, with health experts pointing to unhygienic food handling practices, poor sanitation, and the consumption of spoiled or improperly stored food as primary contributors.
In urban areas local hospitals have reported a sharp rise in patients, particularly from low-income neighborhoods and areas with inadequate access to clean drinking water. Similarly, rural regions have also been affected, with many cases attributed to the consumption of unsafe water from open wells and untreated sources. Health officials have noted that the onset of summer and rising temperatures may have exacerbated the situation, as higher heat accelerates the spoilage of food and the growth of harmful bacteria.
Local health officials said the importance of public awareness in preventing further outbreaks and many of the cases would be preventable if basic hygiene practices were followed. People must ensure that they consume clean, properly cooked food and drink only safe, treated water. Street food vendors and eateries also need to adhere to strict hygiene standards to avoid contamination, said the officials.
In response to the crisis, the Andhra Pradesh government has launched a series of initiatives aimed at addressing the root causes of the outbreak. Health teams have been deployed to affected areas to conduct door-to-door surveys, distribute oral rehydration salts (ORS), and provide guidance on safe food and water practices. Additionally, local authorities have intensified inspections of food vendors, restaurants, and markets to ensure compliance with food safety regulations. Vendors found violating hygiene standards are being penalized, and in some cases, their operations have been temporarily shut down.
The state has also ramped up efforts to improve access to clean drinking water, particularly in rural areas. Water purification units are being installed in villages, and awareness campaigns are being conducted to educate residents about the importance of boiling or treating water before consumption. Mobile health clinics have been set up in remote areas to provide immediate medical assistance to those affected.
Despite these measures, challenges remain. Many residents, especially in rural communities, continue to rely on traditional water sources, which are often contaminated. Additionally, the lack of awareness about food safety practices among street vendors and small-scale food businesses has made it difficult to enforce regulations effectively. Health officials have called for greater community involvement and cooperation to tackle the issue.
The rise in diarrhea and food poisoning cases has also put a strain on the state’s healthcare infrastructure. Hospitals are working overtime to accommodate the influx of patients, with medical staff urging people to seek prompt treatment if they experience symptoms.
The state government has assured residents that it is taking the situation seriously and is committed to bringing the outbreak under control. Health authorities have announced plans to establish a task force to monitor the situation closely and coordinate response efforts across districts.
KOLKATA – E. Coli Contaminated Groundwater Infects 10 Year Old Boy
A recent case of E. coli contamination near the Upohoar housing complex in Kolkata has raised health concerns after a child living in the vicinity was hospitalized due to severe gastrointestinal symptoms. The incident has prompted local authorities to investigate the source of the contamination and take measures to prevent further health risks.
The child, who resides close to the housing complex, was admitted to a nearby hospital after experiencing symptoms of vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain. Medical tests confirmed the presence of E. coli, a bacteria commonly associated with contaminated water or food. Health officials suspect that the contamination may have originated from a breach in the complex’s boundary, where sewage or untreated water could have seeped into the surrounding area.
Local residents have expressed growing concerns over the potential health hazards posed by the contamination. Many fear that the issue could affect others in the neighborhood, particularly children and the elderly, who are more vulnerable to infections.
In response to the situation, the Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) has launched an investigation to identify the exact source of the contamination. Teams have been deployed to inspect the area, collect water samples, and assess the extent of the breach. Preliminary findings suggest that improper waste disposal or a damaged sewage line near the housing complex may be responsible for the contamination.
Health experts have emphasized the importance of addressing such contamination promptly to avoid larger outbreaks. E. coli infections can lead to serious complications, including kidney problems, if left untreated. They have urged residents to seek medical attention if they experience symptoms such as persistent diarrhea, fever, or dehydration.
United States
MADISON – Typhoid Fever Exposure Alert at University of Wisconsin-Madison
The University of Wisconsin-Madison has notified campus members of possible exposure to Salmonella Typhi at a campus dining facility, according to an article in The Daily Cardinal. University Health Services (UHS) issued an alert regarding a confirmed typhoid fever case in an employee who worked at Capital Cafe in Grainger Hall while infectious on January 29 and 30.
UHS confirmed the infection originated off-campus and was not contracted at Capital Café or any other university dining location. The health service has contacted individuals who visited the cafe during the specified dates, though they indicate the risk of exposure is low.
Typhoid fever, caused by Salmonella Typhi bacteria, is a serious illness affecting the digestive system that requires antibiotic treatment. The disease can spread when an infected person handles food or drinks. Symptoms include fever, chills, abdominal pain, diarrhea, and rash.
School officials said that the university’s Environment, Health & Safety follows established protocols for campus food service safety. When infectious cases are identified, the department works with UHS to respond and conduct epidemiological investigations. Campus dining staff are required to stay home when ill and report sickness to supervisors.
This incident follows a separate health alert from the previous week regarding possible hepatitis A exposure at Rheta’s Market, another campus dining facility.
Capital Cafe has undergone a thorough cleaning in coordination with Environment, Health and Safety and is scheduled to reopen on Monday. University officials have reinforced food service safety guidelines with all dining facility managers.
Singapore
SINGAPORE – Food Poisoning Cases Reported During Emergency Preparedness Exercise
Twenty students at Singapore’s School of the Arts (SOTA) have reported gastroenteritis symptoms after consuming ready-to-eat meals distributed during Exercise SG Ready, a national preparedness drill simulating crisis scenarios, according to Channel News Asia. The incident, representing approximately 1% of SOTA students who consumed the meals, is currently under investigation by multiple government agencies.
The Singapore Food Agency (SFA), Ministry of Education (MOE), Ministry of Health (MOH), and food caterer SATS issued a joint statement on Wednesday evening addressing the situation. According to preliminary findings, the outbreak appears to be isolated to SOTA, with no other cases reported from other participating venues.
SOTA Vice-Principal Pauline Ann Tan addressed the situation in an email to students on Wednesday, requesting the return of any unconsumed meals to the school’s general office for investigation. Students experiencing symptoms were advised to seek medical attention and inform their class mentors. None of the affected students required hospitalization.
The ready-to-eat meals were developed by SATS, drawing on their experience in producing army combat rations. The meals are designed to be stored without refrigeration, consumed at room temperature, and maintain an eight-month shelf life. Five meal options were available, including chicken bolognese pasta, curry chicken with biryani rice, fish porridge with sweet potato and pumpkin, sweet spicy tomato fish with basmati rice, and vegetable marinara pasta. Reports indicate that students who consumed the chicken bolognese pasta experienced symptoms including diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting.
In response to the incident, SFA and MOE are implementing additional precautionary measures at participating schools, including replacing ready-to-eat meals from the same production batch. The authorities are also reinforcing food safety guidelines, emphasizing the importance of checking for compromised packaging, signs of food deterioration, and maintaining good personal hygiene practices such as thorough hand washing.
The Food Resilience Preparedness Programme, led by SFA, has distributed these meals to over 100,000 students and teachers across more than 90 schools. The program extends beyond educational institutions, with the Agency for Integrated Care coordinating distribution to more than 8,000 seniors at 111 Active Ageing Centres throughout Singapore.
Exercise SG Ready, part of a broader Total Defence exercise, aims to test Singapore’s preparedness for emergencies such as power outages and disruptions to food supplies. The authorities continue to monitor the situation and investigate the cause of the gastroenteritis cases.
Iceland
FLJÓTSDALSHÉRAO – Food Poisoning Strikes Traditional Icelandic Winter Festivals
A series of food poisoning incidents has affected multiple Þorrablót celebrations across Iceland, with the most recent outbreak affecting 75 attendees at a festival in East Iceland’s Fljótsdalshérað region, according to Iceland Review.
The Directorate of Health confirmed that contaminated root vegetable mash served at the Brúarás celebration was responsible for the illnesses. Lára Guðmundsdóttir, Director of the East Iceland Health Inspectorate, reported that laboratory testing revealed high levels of spore-forming soil bacteria in the traditional dish. While attendees experienced sudden bouts of diarrhea, most have already recovered, and no serious complications were reported.
This outbreak follows two similar incidents earlier this month at separate Þorrablót celebrations in South Iceland. Þorrablót, a traditional midwinter festival celebrated from mid-January to mid-February, is named after Þorri, a month in the ancient Icelandic calendar. The festival remains an important cultural event, with celebrations ranging from intimate family gatherings to large community events featuring performances and dancing.
The festivities typically feature traditional Icelandic foods and the national spirit Brennivín. The contaminated root vegetable mash has been identified as the common factor in the recent outbreak.
Commenting on this article, the nation’s leading E. coli lawyer said, “Many cases of E. coli infection resolve in a few days. However, a small percentage of people develop hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), which can lead to kidneys and other organs shutting down. Anyone who suspects they are infected with E. coli should always see a medical provider.”
