Coronavirus or Food Poisoning? Information about the current COVID-19 outbreak.

4 years ago

Outbreak

United States

There is some confusion surrounding the current Coronavirus disease (Covid-19) outbreak that began in December 2019 and whether you can get it through food. Here is some information:

Mar 23 UPDATE: The CDC has released a newsletter titled "Food Safety and Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)" stating that while it is possible for a person to get the Covid-19 through touching contaminated surfaces and then touching their own face, it is not the main form of transmission. The CDC states, with low survivability of coronavirus on surfaces food product and packaging present a very low risk of infection.

Mar 16 UPDATE: In the United States the CDC has recommended against holding any event or group gatherings of 50 or more people for the next 8 weeks. This had led many cities and states to temporarily ban dine-in restaurants and bars but delivery and take out options are still available. Covid-19 is thought to be spread primarily through human contact so delivery services and restaurants have setup contactless delivery options to minimize human contact. There does seem to be some evidence of the potential for transmission of the virus through fecal matter so it is super important that restaurants continue to follow strict sanitary guidelines such as having workers thoroughly wash their hands after using the bathroom and before preparing and delivering food.

Feb 26 UPDATE: The Chinese CDC is investigating the possibility that the virus can be spread through fecal matter that could possibly contaminate food and water. The Chinese CDC has found live viruses in stool samples of Covid-19 patients and can be a partial explanation for the rapid spread of the disease. The agency is recommending strengthening sanitation and hygiene measures.

What is Coronavirus?
Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses found in both animals and humans. Past outbreaks include Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS). The current novel(a new strain that has not been previously identified in humans) Coronavirus strain called 2019-nCoV is thought to originate in live food markets in Wuhan, China through animals and human contact.

How is it transmitted?
Coronaviruses strains are usually transmitted through the respiratory system, so it is typically thought of as a low risk of infection from contaminated food. Restaurants can be a site of transmission of coronavirus because of the large numbers of people congregating in close quarters and then coughing/sneezing could spread the disease just like in other places (transportation, schools, etc). But the food itself normally isn’t a likely vehicle.

The current Coronavirus strains 2019-nCoV has been found in stool samples of COVID-19 patients by the Chinese CDC which means that the current outbreak might be transmitted from multiple routes not just through the respiratory system as usual.

Signs of infection?
Common signs of infection include respiratory symptoms such as fever, cough, shortness of breath and breathing difficulties. In more severe cases and those with weakened immune systems, an infection can cause pneumonia, severe acute respiratory syndrome, kidney failure, and even death.

If you think you have Covid-19 symptoms and can't get tested, please report here: safelyhq.com

Recommendations:
World Health Organization (WHO) recommends standard measures to prevent infection spread include regular hand washing, covering mouth+nose when coughing/sneezing, and avoiding close contact with anyone showing symptoms of respiratory illness such as coughing and sneezing. Additional recommendations from the Chinese CDC include strengthening health publicity and education; maintaining environmental health and personal hygiene; drinking boiled water, avoiding raw food consumption, and implementing separate meal systems in epidemic areas; frequently washing hands and disinfecting of surfaces of objects in households, toilets, public places, and transportation vehicles; and disinfecting the excreta and environment of patients in medical facilities to prevent water and food contamination from patients’ stool samples.

For more info, please visit: www.cdc.gov / www.cdc.gov / www.who.int / weekly.chinacdc.cn

#us #chinese

Recent Interesting Reports

FDA has issued a warning against certain frozen, raw, half-shell oysters from the Republic of Korea, potentially contaminated with Norovirus. The outbreak has reportedly affected an unspecified number of people in California. These oysters were distributed to restaurants and retailers in California and may have reached other … See More
states as well.

The effected products are Lots B231126, B240103, and B240214 of oysters processed by JBR (KR 15 SP) in Tongyeongsi, Republic of Korea on specific dates in late 2023 and early 2024.

The FDA advises consumers not to eat and restaurants and retailers not to serve or sell these oysters due to the potential Norovirus contamination.

In case you experience Norovirus symptoms, such as vomiting, diarrhea, stomach pain, and nausea, report it now. It can help to detect & resolve outbreaks early and prevent others from being harmed, and it enables better surveillance. If symptoms persist, seek medical care.

Source: www.fda.gov
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#california #us #norovirus

C

Albertsons, Rancho California Road, Temecula, CA, USA

2 weeks ago reported by user-cnhz5876

Bought Chicken wings potato wedges etc from Deli this pm around 6:45pm. We got very sick vomiting, chills, nauseated got very sick and still feeling very sick. Upon eating whole family got sick, womiting chills ferling sick.  | Symptoms: Nausea, Vomiting, Chills

#albertsons #temecula #california #us #chicken #potato #wedges #wings #chickenwings

T

Sam's Club, 8130 North Church Road, Kansas City, MO, USA

2 weeks ago reported by user-tcbtc851

Over Easter I have opened 3 different jar of Kraft Miracle Whip and two has had a brown yellowish substance all over the seal. It smalled aweful. I opened a new one again yesterday and it too has the brown/yellowish color. That's 3 full size jars in … See More
a week and I want compensated. I have pics if you need them. All 3 jars came from Sam'sClub within the last 30 days. All three jars were bought here.
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#miraclewhip #samsclub #kansascity #missouri #us #kraft #miraclewhip

X
Suspected food poisoning. Symptoms: Diarrhea, Nausea, Fever, Stomach Pain, Cramps, Chills
Suspected source: Sandwich
Onset: 12 to 24 hours
Duration: Several days
Sick: Me
Additional information: Severe stomach cramps, diarrhea, fever, chills. Lasting 4+ days  | Symptoms: Diarrhea, Nausea, Fever, Stomach Pain, Cramps, Chills

#jerseymikes #roundrock #texas #us #sandwich

J
I bought the new chocolate bar yesterday to try, and at 3 rows to eat. Within 20 minutes I had terrible nausea and diarrhoea. I went to the toilet twice and my totally emptied my stomach contents! I didn’t think it was the chocolate so ate two … See More
more rows later in the evening and again within 10 minutes it happened again! Stomach cramps and loud gurgling was happening as I had the diarrhoea.

Today I tried one row to see if that would affect me and again within 10 minutes I had to use the toilet three times, the diarrhoea was so projectile and violent it hit the toilet water and went up my back and all up the toilet seat!

I have two rows left to keep incase you need to test it!  | Symptoms: Nausea, Diarrhea, Cramps
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#tesco #england #gb #chocolate

X

Buldak Carbonara, Ontario, Canada

1 week ago reported by user-xvwnk457

I ate these fairly often for months with no issues, but I had some last night and woke up with diarrhea so severe I was contemplating calling an ambulance. I was feverish, nauseous, had chills, my toes were going numb. I've eliminated just about everything by now … See More
and I still have abdominal cramps similar to my period as well as bad lower back pain. I love the taste, but now I'm scared to eat it ever again. I feel like I got a bad flu overnight.  | Symptoms: Nausea, Diarrhea, Fever, Cramps, Chills, Numbness
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#ontario #ca

Unilever are recalling Viennetta Vanilla because milk and soya are not listed in English on the label. This means the product is a possible health risk for anyone with an allergy or intolerance to milk or milk constituents and/or an allergy to soya. This is a result … See More
of a labelling error which means allergens and product information are in Spanish. This only affects products sold at Tesco stores in the UK. This product was recalled in England, Scotland and Wales.

- Product details
Product Name: Viennetta Vanilla (Vainilla), Pack size: (650ml), Batch code: L4031BC020, Best before: January 2026

This product contains milk and may contain soya making it a possible health risk for anyone with an allergy or intolerance to milk or milk constituents and/or an allergy to soya.

If you have bought the above product and have an allergy or intolerance to milk or milk constituents and/or an allergy to soya, do not eat it.

In case you experienced harm from allergens or undeclared ingredients, it is important to report it. It can help to detect & resolve issues and prevent others from being harmed, and it enables better surveillance. If symptoms persist, seek medical care.

Company name: Unilever
Brand name: Viennetta
Product recalled: Viennetta Vanilla (Vainilla)
FSA Recall date: 04/04/2024

Source: www.food.gov.uk
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#allergicreaction #unilever #gb #allergen

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