Happy Easter!!http://www.emergencyemail.org/newsemergency/anmviewer.asp?a=16872&z=58Mystery E. coli Source Found, CDC Says
(Reuters) - The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said on Friday preliminary information suggested ground beef could be responsible for a recent E.coli outbreak that has spread across six states.
No common supplier, distributor, or brand of ground beef has been identified yet and the CDC said the investigation was ongoing. (
http://bit.ly/2KwyHhl)
Since its last update, 19 more people have fallen ill due to the strain of E.coli, bringing the total to 109.
This is the third-largest E.coli outbreak in the US in 20 years, with about 17 people having been hospitalized so far.
(Reporting by Manas Mishra in Bengaluru; Editing by Shounak Dasgupta)
Outbreak of Salmonella Infections Linked to Ground Beef
Final Update
This outbreak appears to be over. Consumers and restaurants should always handle and cook ground beef safely to help prevent foodborne illness.
CDC, public health and regulatory officials in several states, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection ServiceExternal investigated a multistate outbreak of Salmonella Newport infections linked to ground beef produced by JBS Tolleson, Inc.
Advice to Consumers, Restaurants, and Retailers
At A Glance
Reported Cases: 403
States: 30
Hospitalizations: 117
Deaths: 0
Recall: Yes
Although the outbreak investigation is over, contaminated beef could still be in freezers.
Check your freezer for beef recalled by JBS Tolleson, Inc., of Tolleson, Arizona, and do not eat, serve, or sell it.Recalled beef products were produced and packaged from July 26, 2018, to September 7, 2018 and were shipped to retailers nationwide under many brand names.
The company recalled 6.9 million pounds of beef products on October 4, 2018, and then recalled an additional 5.2 million pounds of beef products on December 4, 2018.
When you check your freezer for recalled beef, look for beef labeled with the establishment number "EST. 267." This is usually found inside the USDA mark of inspection, but can be elsewhere on the package.
More than 100 retailers, including chain retail locations and local stores, sold the recalled beef. Stores are listed by state, in alphabetical order.
Return recalled beef to the store or throw it away.
Consumers with questions about the recall can call the JBS USA Consumer Hotline at (800) 727-2333.
Contact a healthcare provider if you think you got sick from eating recalled ground beef.
Restaurants and retailers should check food storage and freezers for recalled beef products and should not serve or sell them.
If possible, retailers who received recalled beef products should contact their customers to alert them to the recall.
Consumers and restaurants should always handle and cook ground beef safely to help prevent foodborne illness. It is important to cook ground beef thoroughly to an internal temperature of 160F.
Final Outbreak Information
As of March 22, 2019, this outbreak appears to be over.
A total of 403 people infected with the outbreak strain of Salmonella Newport were reported from 30 states.
Illnesses started on dates ranging from August 5, 2018 to February 8, 2019.
117 people were hospitalized. No deaths were reported.
Epidemiologic, laboratory, and traceback evidence indicated that ground beef produced by JBS Tolleson, Inc. was a likely source of this outbreak.
On October 4, 2018, JBS Tolleson, Inc. recalled approximately 6.9 million pounds of beef products that may be contaminated with Salmonella Newport bacteria. On December 4, 2018, JBS Tolleson, Inc. recalled an additional 5.2 million pounds of beef products.
Food Safety and Ground Beef
Don't eat raw or undercooked ground beef.
Cook ground beef hamburgers and mixtures such as meatloaf to 160?F internal temperature. Use a food thermometer to make sure the meat has reached a safe internal temperature. You can't tell whether meat is safely cooked by looking at it.
For hamburgers, insert thermometer through the side of the patty until it reaches the middle.
Place the thermometer in the thickest part of the meat for other items.
Ask that ground beef hamburgers and mixtures be cooked to 160?F internal temperature when ordering at a restaurant.
Wash hands and items that came into contact with raw ground beef--including countertops, utensils, dishes, and cutting boards--with soap and water.
Symptoms of Salmonella Infection
Most people infected with Salmonella develop diarrhea, fever, and stomach cramps 12 to 72 hours after being exposed to the bacteria.
The illness usually lasts 4 to 7 days, and most people recover without treatment.
In some people, the diarrhea may be so severe that the patient needs to be hospitalized. Salmonella infection may spread from the intestines to the bloodstream and then to other places in the body.
Children younger than 5 years, adults older than 65 years, and people with weakened immune systems are more likely to have a severe illness.
Investigation Details
March 22, 2019
CDC, public health and regulatory officials in several states, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service (USDA-FSIS)External