Uganda
KIKUUBE – Suspected Food Poisoning Strikes 70 on Christmas Day
Christmas day celebrations in the Kukuube area of Uganda turned sour when 70 people were affected by suspected food poisoning.
The victims were residents of three local villages and all consumed ice cream from a husband and wife vendor.
Shortly after consuming the ice cream, residents began experiencing symptoms of food poisoning, including stomach pain, vomiting, headaches, fever, and diarrea.
Multiple medical centers in the area have treated those who were affected.
A local health official said samples were gathered from many of the sick and authorities are now awaiting the results of a laboratory analysis.
Local police have also opened an investigation and are searching for the man and wife team.
The public was warned the public about the dangers of buying food items from unauthorized vendors.
Brazil
TORRES – Deadly Christmas Gathering from Poisoned Cake
Authorities have confirmed the presence of arsenic in blood samples following a Christmas celebration that left three women dead in Torres, a city in the southern part of the country. The incident occurred after family members consumed a homemade cake at a gathering on Monday afternoon, according to a report from bbc.com.
Police officials have reported that laboratory tests revealed arsenic in the blood of one of the deceased victims, as well as in samples from two surviving patients – the 10-year-old boy and the woman who baked the cake, both of whom remain hospitalized.
Arsenic is a naturally occurring metallic element that, in its inorganic form, is classified as a category one carcinogen by the European Union. The World Health Organization notes that human exposure to elevated arsenic levels typically occurs through contaminated water, food preparation, crop irrigation, industrial processes, or tobacco use. While arsenic exists naturally in soil and can transfer to food in minimal amounts, it is also utilized in certain pesticides and pharmaceutical products.
The three deceased victims have been identified as a 58 year-old woman, a 43 year-old woman, and a third woman, aged 65. According to a local hospital, two of the fatalities were sisters who succumbed to cardiac arrest, while the third victim died from shock related to food poisoning.
The incident began when six out of seven attendees at the Christmas gathering consumed the homemade cake. Family members reported a peculiar “peppery” taste to the dessert. Shortly after consumption, five individuals developed severe symptoms including vomiting and diarrhea, prompting them to seek emergency medical care around 1:00 AM local time on Tuesday.
Investigators said that the baker of the cake, who reportedly consumed two slices, showed the highest concentration of arsenic in her blood tests. During a search of her residence, police discovered several expired food items. The cake has been sent for laboratory analysis, with results expected next week.
In a related development, police have requested the exhumation of the baker’s late husband, who died in September from food poisoning that was initially classified as natural causes. However, authorities say that the baker is not currently considered a suspect in either case as investigations continue.
United States
DENVER – Food Poisoning Incident Affects United Airlines Staff
In yet another case of holiday-related food poisoning, United Airlines employees at Denver International Airport reported cases of foodborne illness following consumption of company-provided holiday meals this week. Initial reports suggested approximately 200 affected employees, but the Association of Flight Attendants (AFA) later revised this number to 24 confirmed cases, based on United Airlines’ badge scan tracking system, according to hoodline.com.
The affected staff members experienced stomach issues after eating meals served to Denver employees on Wednesday. United Airlines acknowledged the situation and confirmed they are in communication with health authorities regarding the incident. The company stated that their operations remained unaffected despite the reported illnesses.
The AFA has instructed affected employees to report their symptoms to supervisors and assured them that related absences would not be classified as “Holiday Absences.” This measure aims to protect employees while maintaining accurate incident reporting.
The precise source of the food poisoning has not yet been identified.
Cuba
HAVANA – Officials Report Surge in Hepatitis A Cases Amid Broader Health Challenges
Cuban health authorities have announced an increase in hepatitis A cases across the country, alongside rising numbers of other infectious diseases. Francisco Durán, the national director of Epidemiology at the Ministry of Public Health (MINSAP), made the announcement during a state television broadcast, detailing the current health situation.
The hepatitis A outbreak, transmitted through contaminated water, has significantly impacted the Reina neighborhood in the city of Cienfuegos, where over 5,000 cases were detected in May. Local health officials noted that the cases were primarily concentrated within four blocks of the neighborhood, prompting enhanced epidemiological surveillance measures.
During his televised address, Durán explained that hepatitis A is a viral disease characterized by specific symptoms including general malaise, jaundice affecting the skin and eye membranes, and occasional fever. The disease spreads through the consumption of water contaminated with feces from infected individuals.
In response to the outbreak, health authorities are working to ensure the availability of 1% sodium hypochlorite in pharmacies at accessible prices. Officials have stressed the importance of preventive measures, including thorough vegetable washing and the consumption of only boiled or chlorinated water.
The hepatitis A situation is part of a broader pattern of health challenges currently facing Cuba. Durán reported that the country is experiencing active dengue transmission in 13 provinces, with numerous hospitalizations and some severe cases. Additionally, the Oropouche virus has spread to 15 provinces, though it generally presents with milder symptoms and allows for home treatment in most cases.
The similarity between dengue and Oropouche symptoms has raised concerns among health officials. Durán warned that this resemblance could lead to potentially dangerous situations if individuals mistakenly assume they have the milder Oropouche when actually suffering from dengue, which can develop into a more serious condition.
While Cuba has not reported any cases of Zika, chikungunya, or yellow fever, the presence of the Aedes aegypti mosquito – the vector responsible for these arboviral diseases – remains a significant concern. This has prompted calls for enhanced sanitation measures and increased attention to mosquito breeding site control.
The Provincial Health Department has outlined efforts to increase public awareness about virus transmission risks. Health authorities are implementing monitoring systems in affected areas and maintaining active surveillance of disease hotspots within residential areas.
The current health situation has led officials to issue specific warnings about the year-end holiday season. Durán specifically cautioned about the need for extra precautions with food and water consumption during festive gatherings to prevent increases in diarrheal diseases.
To combat these health challenges, Cuban authorities have implemented a multi-faceted approach focusing on public education, increased surveillance, and preventive measures. Health officials acknowledge existing challenges in waste collection and sanitation while emphasizing the importance of community participation in risk reduction efforts.
Cuban authorities have stressed the importance of maintaining preventive health practices, particularly in areas with known disease transmission. The health authority has established ongoing surveillance systems to track disease progression and implement responsive measures as needed.
Current preventive recommendations from health officials include:
- Consuming only properly treated or boiled water
- Thoroughly washing all vegetables before consumption
- Maintaining proper sanitation practices
- Following prescribed waste management procedures
- Participating in community-level disease prevention efforts
- Seeking immediate medical attention when symptoms appear
- Supporting local epidemiological surveillance measures
Finland
HELSINKI – Norovirus Outbreak Linked to Imported Oysters
Health officials in Helsinki have confirmed that 105 people in the city experienced food poisoning symptoms after consuming oysters between November and December. The contaminated oysters originated from multiple European sources including the Netherlands, France, Ireland, and Spain, affecting customers at 19 different restaurants and food outlets.
The Helsinki Food Safety Unit identified norovirus in both oyster and patient samples during their investigation. The outbreak, first reported in December, appears to have concluded with no new cases reported to Helsinki’s Environmental Services department.
The contamination was traced to oysters grown in waters polluted with human waste, which allowed them to absorb the norovirus. While the outbreak has subsided, city officials remind consumers that raw oysters inherently carry infection risks.
Food Poisoning News has recently reported on oyster-related health alerts in North America due to potential norovirus contamination, including:
- California issues norovirus alert on raw oysters imported from British Columbia along with a mass food poisoning event in Los Angeles linked to contaminated oysters, and
- FDA alert on certain oysters and manila clams from Washington state due to potential norovirus contamination
Commenting on this article, the nation’s leading norovirus lawyer said, “Consumers often associate norovirus outbreaks with cruise ships, schools, hospitals, and other places where large groups of people gather. However, as evidenced by the outbreak in Finland, norovirus can also be contracted from contaminated food, like oysters.”
