Select outbreaks posted by CDC, and FDA sickened hundreds in 2022
The Food and Drug Administration’s Coordinated Outbreak Response and Evaluation Network (CORE) has investigated 28 outbreaks, three of which remain unresolved as of 28 December.
The discrepancy between the CDC and FDA numbers may be because the CDC typically posts outbreak notifications only after specific food sources have been identified. Also, the CDC will only act as the primary investigative agency for outbreaks that have occurred in multiple states. For outbreaks in a single state, state and local agencies act as investigators, CDC may provide secondary assistance, and federal agencies do not post outbreak notifications.
Also, the discrepancy in the number of outbreaks reported by the FDA and CDC may be because the FDA does not publicly report where outbreak patients live. Presumably, FDA shares such information with CDC epidemic researchers.
At least two multistate outbreaks have occurred that the CDC did not include on its official 2022 list. The FDA investigated the outbreak, but no recall was issued. Investigation is closed.
In another multistate outbreak not listed by CDC, four infants were fed formula made at the Abbott Nutrition plant in Michigan. Two of his babies died. The pathogen involved was Cronobacter, but the company continues to deny that any of its products have been linked to illness or death. It was closed and allowed to reopen only under strict FDA regulations.
In all outbreaks, the CDC said the number of cases was much higher than reported because symptoms could mimic other illnesses and many people were not tested for specific foodborne pathogens. It warns that there is a high possibility that there are many Also, some people recover without seeing a doctor.
CDC has issued notices for the following 11 outbreaks in 2022:
An outbreak of norovirus associated with raw oysters from a specific fishing area in Texas affected 298 people as of December 20. States with patients are Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, Tennessee, and Texas. The investigation is still active as of December 28th. Officials in several states have begun recalling oysters harvested in certain areas of the Galveston, Texas area. CDC is continuing a follow-up investigation to determine where the oysters were shipped. Since norovirus does not die even if it is frozen, it can be provided as “raw” after thawing. CDC has not reported whether the patient was hospitalized or died.
Outbreaks of infection with Listeria monocytogenes in two states are under investigation after being first reported by the CDC on November 17. At that point, the CDC reported two people infected in two states. Both require hospitalization. Investigators are working to identify the specific brands of enoki mushrooms associated with these diseases. It has been recalled.
Outbreaks of infections with Listeria monocytogenes in six states can be traced to deli meats and cheeses and are under investigation. 16 people have been infected, 13 of whom require hospitalization. One patient died and one pregnant patient lost her baby. The CDC reported her outbreak on November 9th of this year. The patient’s samples were collected from 17 April 2021 to 29 September 2022. The CDC did not identify a single source of listeria infection, but found that five patients had purchased deli meats and cheese from her NetCost Market, an East Coast grocery store. . chain. Other delis and grocery stores weren’t ruled out as sources either. “Contaminated food likely introduced epidemic strains of Listeria to delis in multiple states,” the CDC reported. We regularly remind them that they need to be cleaned regularly as they can easily become lurking. The CDC suggested that people at higher risk of infection, including pregnant women, the elderly, and those with weakened immune systems, should avoid deli meats and cheeses.
Outbreaks of salmonella Litchfield in four states were declared over on 14 December. The outbreak left him 39 sick and 15 hospitalized. No deaths have been reported. Investigators found that fresh fish sold by Mariscos Bahia was the cause of the disease. The CDC first reported him on October 20th. The illness occurred from June 14th to he October 23rd of this year. The FDA investigation traced the source of the fresh raw salmon eaten by the sick to Mariscos Bahia.
Outbreaks of E. coli O121 infections in six states first reported by the FDA on October 12 were reported by the CDC on October 7. The outbreak he was declared finished on December 1st. There were 24 people with confirmed infections. Five required hospitalization. The illness occurred on dates ranging from July 13, 2022 to he October 24, 2022. Frozen Earth Grown brand Vegan Traditional Falafel and Garlic & Herb Falafel sold in Aldi stores were found to be the source of the pathogen. On October 7, 2022, Cuisine Innovations of Lakewood, New Jersey recalled the associated product.
Six state outbreaks of infection with Listeria monocytogenes, which were declared over on December 9, sickened six people, five of whom required hospitalization. Investigators found that cheese made by Old Europe Cheese, Inc. made people sick in this outbreak. On September 30, October 4 and 5, the company examined several varieties and brands of Brie and Camembert his cheese. Some cheeses had an expiration date of December 14, he said, but despite the fact that it can take up to 70 days for symptoms of listeria infection to appear, the CDC has declared the outbreak over.
Infections with E. coli O157:H7 occurred in six states, sickening seven people, six of whom required hospitalization. Investigators found ground beef from the Hello Fresh meal kit to be the cause of the outbreak. The outbreak was declared over for him on 28 October. The illness began on dates ranging from he 8 June to 17 he August. The investigation was conducted because of concerns that consumers may have kept frozen ground beef in the freezer long after the last reported onset of illness. It’s been open for quite some time after the last reported illness.
E. coli O157:H7 outbreaks occurred in six states, affecting 109 people, 52 of whom required hospitalization. no one died. The illness was associated with a person who ate Wendy’s sandwiches at his restaurant with romaine on his lettuce. The CDC did not come up with a concrete link between romaine and the disease. ”. “This outbreak ended before enough information was gathered to identify the source of the outbreak,” the CDC reported.The illness occurred between July 26 and August 17. The end was declared on October 4th.
Infections with Listeria monocytogenes broke out in 11 states, sickening 28 people, hospitalizing 27 people, and killing 1 person. Seven illnesses were during pregnancy or during the neonatal period. A disease led to a miscarriage. The illness occurred on dates ranging from 24 January 2021 to 24 June 2022. The source dates back to ice cream made at Big Olaf’s Creamery in Florida. State tests showed that 16 of his 17 flavors of ice cream were contaminated with pathogens. Florida authorities closed the business. The recalled ice cream was sold or served at his Big Olaf retail store, restaurant, nursing home in Florida, and his one location in Fredericksburg, Ohio. The outbreak was declared over on his November 7th.
Four state outbreaks of hepatitis A infection were attributed to strawberries. The epidemic has left 19 people sick and 13 hospitalized. Fresh organic strawberries branded as FreshKampo or HEB were determined to be the source of the pathogen. Fresh organic strawberries were imported from Baja California, northern Mexico. The illness occurred on dates ranging from He March 28, 2022 to He May 6, 2022. The CDC closed his investigation on August 14th. Strawberries may have been sold at retailers including, but not limited to HEB, Kroger, Safeway and Sprouts Farmers Market. , Trader Joe’s, Walmart, Weis Markets, and WinCo Foods.
An outbreak in 17 states caused by Salmonella Senftenberg sickened 21 people and hospitalized 4. The source was determined to be Jif brand peanut butter recalled by JM Smucker Co. This recall has resulted in numerous downstream recalls of products containing peanut butter as an ingredient. The illness began on dates ranging from February 20, 2022 to May 24, 2022. The outbreak was declared over for her on 27 July.
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