United States

The FDA and CDC, along with state and local partners, are investigating a Hepatitis A outbreak linked to frozen organic strawberries imported by a common supplier from certain farms located in Baja California, Mexico. The frozen organic strawberries were sold to a variety of retailers under multiple... See More brand labels nationwide in the USA. As of March 17, 2023, a total of 5 people infected with Hepatitis A virus have been reported in Washington state (including 2 probable cases). 2 people were hospitalized and no deaths were reported. Last Illness Onset: December 27, 2022.

There have been announced recalls of several Strawberries:
- California Splendor recalled Kirkland Signature 4-lb. bag Frozen Organic Whole Strawberries with specific lot codes, sold by Costco stores in Los Angeles and Hawaii, and to two San Diego business centers.
- Scenic Fruit Recalled frozen organic strawberries with the following brand names and Best By Dates distributed by Costco, Aldi, KeHE, Vital Choice Seafood, and PCC Community Markets in specific states, and to Trader Joe’s nationwide.
* Simply Nature, Organic Strawberries, Best By 06/14/2024
* Vital Choice, Organic Strawberries, BEST BY 05/20/2024
* Kirkland Signature, Organic Strawberries, Best If Used By 10/08/2024
* Made With, Organic Strawberries, Best Before 11/20/2024
* PCC Community Markets, Organic Strawberries, Best By 29/10/2024
* Trader Joe’s, Organic Tropical Fruit Blend with the following Best By dates: 04/25/24; 05/12/24; 05/23/24; 05/30/24; 06/07/24

The investigation is ongoing, additional products may be included.

FDA gives the following recommendations:
- Consumers, restaurants, and retailers should not sell, serve, or eat recalled frozen strawberries. These recalled products should be returned or thrown away.
- If consumers purchased the recalled frozen organic strawberries and ate those berries in the last two weeks, and have not been vaccinated against hepatitis A, they should immediately consult with their healthcare professional to determine whether post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) is needed. PEP is recommended for unvaccinated people who have been exposed to hepatitis A virus in the last two weeks because vaccination can prevent a hepatitis A virus infection if given within 14 days of exposure. Those with evidence of previous hepatitis A vaccination or previous hepatitis A virus infection do not require PEP.

In case you experienced Hepatitis A symptoms such as fever, nausea, abdominal cramps, diarrhea, dark-colored urine, and jaundice (a yellowing of the skin), it is important to report it. It can help to detect & resolve issues and prevent others from being harmed, and it enables better surveillance.

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The Long Beach Health Department is investigating a norovirus outbreak at Carver Elementary School located at 5335 E Pavo St, Long Beach, CA. To date, 137 cases of norovirus have been reported by students or staff since February 22nd. The source of the outbreak is still unknown,... See More the investigation is ongoing.

Last week the school has implemented several measures in order to prevent the spread of the virus, such as canceling group events, closing down playground apparatuses, and conducting wellness checks.

On March 16, The Long Beach Health and Human Services Department directed the LBUSD administration to close all school and childcare operations at Carver from Friday, March 17 through Tuesday, March 21. School will reopen on Wednesday, March 22. Health officials have determined that this length of closure is the most effective way to stop the further spread of this common virus.

Norovirus is very contagious and is easily transmitted from person to person most through the oral/fecal route. Considering that hand sanitizer does NOT work against this virus, it is important to wash your hands with soap frequently. Use bleach to clean and disinfect surfaces.

In case you experience vomiting, diarrhea, 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.

Sources:
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The CDC is investigating a gastrointestinal illness outbreak linked to the Ruby Princess cruise ship with Voyage Dates: February 26–March 5, 2023 and Voyage Number: RU305P. 284 passengers have reported being ill during the voyage out of a total of 2881 (9.9%) passengers onboard. Of the 1159... See More crew members, 34 have reported being ill during the voyage, that is 2.9% of all crew. The predominant symptoms are vomiting and diarrhea. The causative agent is unknown at this time.

In response to the outbreak, Princess Cruises and the crew aboard the ship reported the following actions:
- Increased cleaning and disinfection procedures according to the ship’s outbreak prevention and response plan.
- Collected stool specimens from gastrointestinal illness cases to send to the CDC lab for pathogenic identification.
- Distributed notifications and made ship announcements to embarking guests informing them of increased number of illness cases onboard the previous voyage.

In case you experience vomiting, diarrhea, 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.

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The FDA is currently investigating an outbreak of Salmonella Hartford. As of March 08, 2023, a total of 31 people infected with Salmonella Hartford have been reported. No specific product has been linked to this investigation as of today. This investigation is ongoing.

Salmonella is an organism... See More that can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Healthy persons infected with Salmonella often experience fever, diarrhea (which may be bloody), nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. In rare circumstances, infection with Salmonella can result in the organism getting into the bloodstream and producing more severe illnesses such as arterial infections (i.e., infected aneurysms), endocarditis, and arthritis.

In case you are experiencing Salmonella symptoms such as diarrhea, abdominal cramps, and fever, it is important to report it. 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.

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The Seattle & King County Public Health announced they are investigating an outbreak of norovirus-like illness linked to Taste ToGo Banh Mi restaurant located at 18230 E Valley Hwy #153, Kent, WA 98032. To date, 7 seven people from a single meal party have reported becoming ill... See More after eating food from the restaurant on February 26th, 2023. The food was eaten the following day, and all members of the party developed one or more symptoms consistent with norovirus-like illness. Also, Public Health has identified 1 ill employee who reported symptoms consistent with norovirus who worked on February 26 and 27, 2023. No hospitalizations or deaths have been reported in connection to the outbreak.

At this time, The restaurant was given a rating of "Needs to Improve" in its most recent inspection. In response to the outbreak, public health officials visited the restaurant on March 3rd and identified inadequate access to hand washing facilities. The restaurant was closed on the same day in order to complete a thorough cleaning and disinfection. Environmental health investigators will revisit the facility on Monday, March 6th to ensure proper compliance with food handling practices. The restaurant will only be allowed to reopen after reinspection and approval by environmental health.

In addition to cleaning and disinfecting, investigators also reviewed with restaurant management the requirement that ill staff are not allowed to work until they are symptom-free for at least 48 hours, and provided education about preventing the spread of norovirus, including proper handwashing and preventing bare hand contact with ready-to-eat foods.

Norovirus is very contagious and is easily transmitted from person to person most through the oral/fecal route. Considering that hand sanitizer does NOT work against this virus, it is important to wash your hands with soap frequently. Use bleach to clean and disinfect surfaces.

In case you experience vomiting, diarrhea, 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.

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The FDA is currently investigating a Hepatitis A outbreak. As of March 01, 2023, a total of 9 people infected with the Hepatitis A virus have been reported. No specific product has been linked to this investigation as of today. This investigation is ongoing.

If you are... See More experiencing Hepatitis A symptoms like fever, jaundice, nausea, clay-colored stool, dark urine, malaise, abdominal discomfort, or vomiting, it is important to report it. It can help to detect and resolve outbreaks early and prevent others from being harmed, and it enables better surveillance. If symptoms persist, seek medical care.

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The Florida Department of Health (DOH) along with state health departments of Georgia and Alabama are investigating a Salmonella outbreak linked to raw oysters harvested from shellfish harvesting area FL-3012 in Cedar Key, Florida. To date, there have been 8 people infected with Salmonella linked to these... See More outbreak within Florida, Georgia, and Alabama.

On February 24, 2023, the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services closed shellfish harvesting area FL-3012 for the harvest of wild oysters and initiated a recall of these wild oysters harvested from December 16, 2022, to February 24, 2023.

In case you are experiencing Salmonella symptoms such as diarrhea, abdominal cramps, and fever, it is important to report it. 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.

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The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) has announced a multi-country Shigella sonnei outbreak involving the United States and many countries in the European Union/European Economic Area (EU/EEA). The outbreak began in September 2022 and has continued to evolve rapidly during November and December 2022.... See More

As of February 16th, 2023, 10 EU/EEA countries and the UK reported and the US reported 221 confirmed Shigella sonnei infections and 37 possible cases linked to travel to Cape Verde, in the image below you can find more details. While the exact source of the outbreak has not been identified, investigations are ongoing in Cabo Verde. It is believed that the infection was spread through food, including through infected food handlers, as well as through person-to-person contact.

The strain of Shigella involved in the outbreak is resistant to trimethoprim and streptomycin, and in some cases, multidrug resistance has been detected. Many cases have been linked to all-inclusive hotels located in the region of Santa Maria on the island of Sal. The most recent cases were reported in Sweden on 19 January 2023.

In response to the outbreak, ECDC is urging public health authorities in the EU/EEA to increase awareness among healthcare professionals and is working with the World Health Organization to support investigations in Cabo Verde. To prevent further spread of the infection, ECDC is recommending that people practice good handwashing with soap and water and take additional care with food and drink when traveling abroad. People with shigellosis should not attend school, handle food, or provide care for children or patients while ill.

In case you are experiencing Shigellosis symptoms such as watery diarrhea (often bloody), vomiting; stomach pain; and fever, it is important to report it. 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.

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The CDC, public health and regulatory officials in several states, and the FDA are investigating a multistate outbreak of Listeria monocytogenes infections. A specific food item has not yet been identified as the source of this outbreak.

As of February 14, 2023, a total of 11 people... See More infected with the outbreak strain of Listeria have been reported from 10 states (AR, CA, CO, MI, MO, NC, NY, PA, SD and WA). 10 people were hospitalized and no deaths were reported. Sick people’s samples were collected from July 3, 2018, to January 31, 2023.

Public health officials are interviewing people in this outbreak to find out what foods they ate before getting sick.

According to CDC, Listeria is especially harmful if you are pregnant, aged 65 or older, or have a weakened immune system due to certain medical conditions or treatments. Other people can be infected with Listeria, but they rarely become seriously ill.

In case you are experiencing Listeria monocytogenes symptoms such as high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain, and diarrhea, it is important to report it. 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.

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A new report from the CDC is warning that parts of the US are being hit hard by the norovirus outbreak in 2023. The Midwest region has the highest testing positivity rate of 19.48%, already surpassing the previous year's high of 16.12%. Norovirus, commonly referred to as... See More the "stomach flu", is a highly contagious gastrointestinal illness causing days of nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and fever, and in some cases, severe dehydration and even death.

Between August 1, 2022, and January 8, 2023, the CDC reported 225 norovirus outbreaks, a 30% increase from last year's log of 172 during the same period. The West region is also seeing an early-season spike with a positive test rate of 13.42%, putting it just a few cases away from beating last year's high of 13.49%. The Southern and Northeastern regions are on par with 2022 and the CDC is expecting the current trends to remain within the expected range.

To prevent transmission of norovirus, the CDC recommends following good handwashing and hygiene practices. People who are already sick should focus on replenishing fluids, drinking water or electrolyte beverages, and eating bland foods when possible. Anti-nausea and fever-reducing medications may also provide relief.

Norovirus is very contagious and is easily transmitted from person to person most through the oral/fecal route. Considering that hand sanitizer does NOT work against this virus, it is important to wash your hands with soap frequently. Use bleach to clean and disinfect surfaces.

In case you experience vomiting, diarrhea, 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.

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