A multi-provincial outbreak of Salmonella Newport infections associated with red onions: A report of the largest Salmonella outbreak in Canada in over 20 years.

An investigation into an outbreak of Salmonella Newport infections in Canada was initiated in July 2020. Cases were identified across several provinces through whole-genome sequencing (WGS). Exposure data were gathered through case interviews. Traceback investigations were conducted using receipts, invoices, import documentation, and menus. A total of 515 cases were identified in seven provinces, related by 0-6 whole-genome multi-locus sequence typing (wgMLST) allele differences. The median age of cases was 40 (range 1-100), 54% were female, 19% were hospitalized, and three deaths were reported. Forty-eight location-specific case sub-clusters were identified in restaurants, grocery stores, and congregate living facilities. Of the 414 cases with exposure information available, 71% (295) had reported eating onions the week prior to becoming ill, and 80% of those cases who reported eating onions, reported red onion specifically. The traceback investigation identified red onions from Grower A in California, USA, as the likely source of the outbreak, and the first of many food recall warnings was issued on 30 July 2020. Salmonella was not detected in any tested food or environmental samples. This paper summarizes the collaborative efforts undertaken to investigate and control the largest Salmonella outbreak in Canada in over 20 years.

Salmonella Outbreaks Associated with Not Ready-to-Eat Breaded, Stuffed Chicken Products - United States, 1998-2022.

Not ready-to-eat (NRTE) breaded, stuffed chicken products (e.g., chicken stuffed with broccoli and cheese) typically have a crispy, browned exterior that can make them appear cooked. These products have been repeatedly linked to U.S. salmonellosis outbreaks, despite changes to packaging initiated in 2006 to identify the products as raw and warn against preparing them in a microwave oven (microwave) (1-4). On April 28, 2023, the U.S. Department of Agriculture proposed to declare Salmonella an adulterant* at levels of one colony forming unit per gram or higher in these products (5). Salmonella outbreaks associated with NRTE breaded, stuffed chicken products during 1998-2022 were summarized using reports in CDC's Foodborne Disease Outbreak Surveillance System (FDOSS), outbreak questionnaires, web postings, and data from the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH)† and the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS). Eleven outbreaks were identified in FDOSS. Among cultured samples from products obtained from patients' homes and from retail stores during 10 outbreaks, a median of 57% of cultures per outbreak yielded Salmonella. The NRTE breaded, stuffed chicken products were produced in at least three establishments.§ In the seven most recent outbreaks, 0%-75% of ill respondents reported cooking the product in a microwave and reported that they thought the product was sold fully cooked or did not know whether it was sold raw or fully cooked. Outbreaks associated with these products have occurred despite changes to product labels that better inform consumers that the products are raw and provide instructions on safe preparation, indicating that consumer-targeted interventions are not sufficient. Additional Salmonella controls at the manufacturer level to reduce contamination in ingredients might reduce illnesses attributable to NRTE breaded, stuffed chicken products.

An Outbreak Investigation of Salmonella Typhimurium Illnesses in the United States Linked to Packaged Leafy Greens Produced at a Controlled Environment Agriculture Indoor Hydroponic Operation - 2021.

In 2021, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and state partners investigated a multistate outbreak of Salmonella Typhimurium illnesses linked to packaged leafy greens from a controlled environment agriculture (CEA) operation in Illinois. Thirty-one illnesses and four hospitalizations were reported in four states, with a significant epidemiologic signal for packaged leafy greens from Farm A. A traceback investigation for leafy greens included seven points of service (POS) with food exposure data from eight ill people. Each POS was supplied leafy greens by Farm A. FDA investigators observed operations at Farm A and noted that 1) the firm did not consider their indoor hydroponic pond water as agricultural water, 2) condensate dripping from the chiller water supply line inside the building, and 3) unprotected outdoor storage of packaged soilless growth media and pallets used for finished product. FDA collected 25 product, water, and environmental samples from Farm A. The outbreak strain was recovered from a water sample collected from a stormwater drainage basin located on the property adjacent to Farm A. In addition, an isolate of Salmonella Liverpool was recovered from two indoor growing ponds within the same growing house, but no illnesses were linked to the isolate. Farm A voluntarily recalled all implicated products and provided their root cause analysis (RCA) and return-to-market plan to FDA. While the source and route of the contamination were not determined by the RCA, epidemiologic and traceback evidence confirmed the packaged salads consumed by ill persons were produced by Farm A. This was the first investigation of a multistate foodborne illness outbreak associated with leafy greens grown in a CEA operation. This outbreak demonstrated the need for growers using hydroponic methods to review their practices for potential sources and routes of contamination and to reduce food safety risks when identified.

Acute Respiratory Disease in US Army Trainees 3 Years after Reintroduction of Adenovirus Vaccine 1.

The 1999 cessation of vaccination against adenovirus types 4 and 7 among US Army trainees resulted in reemergence of acute respiratory disease (ARD) outbreaks. The 2011 implementation of a replacement vaccine led to dramatic and sustained decreases in ARD cases, supporting continuation of vaccination in this population at high risk for ARD.

Puumala hantavirus outbreak among U.S. military health care beneficiaries, Stuttgart, Germany--2012.

Hantaviruses are viruses of the family Bunyaviridae that are transmitted to humans via inhalation of the aerosolized excrement of rodents. The geographic distribution of hantavirus includes the Americas, Asia, and Europe. An outbreak of Puumala hantavirus infections among U.S. military health care beneficiaries was identified by the U.S. Army Public Health Command Region-Europe at U.S. Army installations in Stuttgart, Germany, during 2012. Overall, five cases (one probable and four confirmed) were identified in three service members, one U.S. civilian employee, and one dependent family member. Four cases were hospitalized, one of whom required dialysis. The outbreak investigation revealed that all cases exercised in forested areas and most were active smokers (4 out of 5). This report reviews the types of hantaviruses found worldwide and suggests that health care providers should suspect and consider possible hantavirus infections when evaluating patients with histories and clinical presentations consistent with such infections.

Occupational silica exposure as a risk factor for scleroderma: a meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVES: Among potential environmental risk factors for systemic sclerosis (SSc), occupational exposures have received some attention. In this meta-analysis, we examined the association between SSc and occupational exposure to silica. METHODS: We searched Medline, Toxline, BIOSIS, and Embase (1949 and November 2009) for original articles published in any language. Sixteen studies are included in the analysis, of which, 3 are cohort studies, 9 case-control and 4 are of other designs. The combined estimator of relative risk (CERR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) were calculated using fixed or random effect models. RESULTS: Significant heterogeneity was detected (I (2) = 97.2%; P < 0.01), and the CERR was 3.20 (95% CI, 1.89-5.43). The CERR for studies in females was 1.03 (95% CI, 0.74-1.44) and was 3.02 (95% CI, 1.24-7.35) for males. The CERR for case-control studies was 2.24 (95% CI, 1.65-3.31) and was 15.49 (95% CI, 4.54-52.87) for cohort studies. CONCLUSIONS: The findings suggest that silica exposure may be a significant risk factor for developing SSc and specifically in males. Further observational studies examining the role of occupational silica exposure in the context of other risk factors are needed.