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

Chef Corey's brand has issued a recall for its Chicken Pot Pie product due to the undeclared presence of milk. The product was distributed in Ontario. The issue was identified by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency during routine testing. The recalling firm is Maltese Grocery Ltd.

Undeclared … See More
milk in a food product can pose a risk to individuals with milk allergies or lactose intolerance. If consumed, it can cause allergic reactions or digestive issues.

The recalled product is Chef Corey's Chicken Pot Pie, sold as a single count. All codes where milk is not properly declared on the label are affected, with the UPC starting with 0 262710.

If you have this product at home, do not consume it and return it to the store where it was purchased.

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.

Source: recalls-rappels.canada.ca
See Less

#allergicreaction #ontario #ca #allergen

G

Fresh Kitchen, South Orange Avenue, Orlando, FL, USA

4 weeks ago reported by user-gqzb6644

I got a six bowl today (noodles, spice rice, sweet potatoes, broccoli, and citrus chicken). I ate half of the bowl during my lunch at 12:45PM and had my first run to the bathroom thirty minutes later. From then until I clocked out at 5PM I went … See More
to bathroom THREE times. And as soon as I got home which was a thirty minute drive. Its currently 7PM and I have gone another FOUR times. Each time is very liquid and runny.  | Symptoms: Diarrhea
See Less

#freshkitchen #orlando #florida #us #broccoli #chicken #rice #bowl

The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (MAPAQ), in collaboration with the Food Inspection Division of the City of Montreal and Zinman Marché de poultry St-Dominique, has issued a recall for dry sausages sold by the company due to potential Staphylococcus aureus contamination. The issue was discovered … See More
during routine inspections by the Food Inspection Division of the City of Montreal. The company is voluntarily recalling the products and has agreed to broadcast this warning as a precautionary measure. They were available for purchase until March 22, 2024, exclusively at the company's location at 7010, rue Saint-Dominique, in Montreal. As of now, no cases of illness associated with the consumption of these foods have been reported to MAPAQ.

The recalled product is the dry sausage prepared and sold by Zinman Marché de Poultry St-Dominique. The sausages were sold vacuum-packed in transparent plastic bags and refrigerated. Product Names:

- Soft Dry Sausage / Best before September 16, 2024
- Strong Dry Sausage / Best before September 16, 2024

Do not consume, serve, sell, or distribute recalled products. If you purchased this product, we recommend that you return it to the store where it was purchased.

Staphylococcus aureus, often referred to as "Staph," is a type of bacteria that can cause food poisoning. It is a versatile human pathogen capable of causing a variety of illnesses, including staphylococcal food poisoning, toxic shock syndrome, pneumonia, postoperative wound infection, and nosocomial bacteremia.

In case you are experiencing Staph food poisoning symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and stomach cramps, 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.

Source: www.quebec.ca
See Less

#montreal #quebec #ca #staphylococcus

Report a food safety issue. Protect others!

I am reporting
Please fill in incident place

As seen in:

Did you also consume (in the past 7 days):

Skip

Get alerts for your case

Provide a contact email

Please provide email or phone
No Thanks
Without your contact information it's not possible to follow up on your complaint. Please provide your email. Thank you 🙂

Protect friends & family

Provide a contact phone number

This makes it easier to follow up - especially if there is some urgency e.g. in a public health investigation. THANK YOU 👍
No Thanks

Add video or photo!

We Recommend video or photos of:
  1. The receipt
  2. The product
  3. The packaging
Add Photo/Video
No Thanks

Email or SMS a copy of report

Enter below to get emailed or SMS a copy of your report

Please provide email or phone
Please provide email or phone

Thanks for your report.

The report was
successfully sent!

The data is checked by a moderator, we will notify you in the mail as soon as it is ready.

Report by

Please provide location
Please provide location
Please provide report title
Please provide details
Please accept our Terms & Conditions
Get alerts and updates for your case! Your contact information is not shown on the website.

This information is not shown on the website. We can notify you of updates, and may contact you for more information to help resolve or follow up on your issue.

or
Please provide email or phone
Thank you for your report!

IMPORTANT - YOUR REPORT IS QUEUED - IT MAY TAKE UP TO 12 HOURS FOR YOUR REPORT TO SHOW ON OUR HOME PAGE (IF NOT OPTED AS PRIVATE)

Visit our learn pages for more helpful information or, email us: support@iwaspoisoned.com

Goodbye! and best wishes in your recovery
Last 30 days