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Salmonellosis has swept the nation, with 76 illnesses and 1 death identified across 26 states. Beginning March 9 and continuing into August, the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Center for Disease Control have followed reports of foodborne illness caused by Salmonella Heidelberg across the country. Cases have sprung up from Massachusetts to Arizona, with the lone death occurring in Sacramento, California.
On July 29, the Food Safety and Inspection Service of the USDA issued an alert about possible contamination of ground turkey, but had not yet determined specific brands under investigation. Just days later, meat producer Cargill announced a voluntary recall of fresh and frozen ground turkey from its Arkansas plant, believed to be the source of the outbreak. Cargill has halted production while they investigate the cause of contamination and also issued an apology to those who fell ill. With 36 million pounds of ground turkey recalled, this is one of the largest food recalls ever.
The Salmonella Heidelberg strain at the center of the outbreak is resistant to many antibiotics, creating significant problems in treatment. Signs of infection with salmonella include abdominal cramps, vomiting, and diarrhea. Symptoms usually begin 12-72 hours after exposure and can last 4-7 days. As a precaution, the CDC reminds that ground turkey must be cooked to an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit. Contaminated turkey, if properly cooked, will not cause illness.
Photo courtesy of: http://www.flickr.com/photos/voght/2441818832/
White-nose syndrome reaches Nova Scotia and spreads in the United States
A Hunts County, Nova Scotia bat has tested positive for white-nose syndrome. The finding makes Nova Scotia the 4th Canadian province to see signs of the devastating disease. While spread primarily from bat-to-bat and not harmful to humans, Canadian authorities are urging residents to stay out of caves and old mines that are home to bat populations. Humans may inadvertently carry fungal spores that cause the disease into caves by way of clothing or caving gear.
First seen in caves outside of Albany, New York in 2006, white-nose syndrome has spread rapidly west to Oklahoma, north into Canada, and south to the state of North Carolina. With the recent confirmation of the disease in Trigg County, Kentucky, 16 US states have now been affected.
White nose syndrome has been the cause of over 1 million bat deaths in Eastern North America, and bat declines have exceeded 70 percent in severely affected areas of New England. The total population of the little brown bat has declined so dramatically that the species may become extinct in the region within 20 years.
Foot and mouth returns to South Korea
Just 5 days after South Korea declared the end of their foot and mouth outbreak, six pigs were diagnosed with the disease. All the pigs were on the same farm in Yeongcheon, N. Gyeongsang province. Earlier, South Korea had chosen to vaccinate its animals against foot and mouth in an attempt to control the epidemic. Countries generally prefer to eliminate outbreaks by culling and restricting animal movements because it take longer to regain certification as “foot and mouth free” if vaccinations are used. The detection of the disease is a blow to South Korea; the epidemic has already led to losses totalling 2.6 billion US dollars.
Ostrich meat trade interrupted by flu outbreak
An outbreak of avian influenza on an ostrich farm in Oudtshoorn, Western Cape, South Africa had led to a ban on all exports of the product.. South Africa accounts for over 80% of the world’s ostrich meat production. In an attempt to control the outbreak, 5,000 birds have been culled. If the infection is contained, ostrich meat exports may resume next month.
Meningitis in Ghana and the United States
Fifteen people have died from meningitis in Ghana’s Upper West Region with over 100 cases reported. Ghana is located in the Meningitis Belt of sub-Saharan Africa where the highest rates of bacterial meningitis are seen. Although vaccines exist for meningococcal meningitis, many in the Meningitis Belt are unvaccinated.
In the United States, young adults are considered to be at the greatest risk. This week, a college student at Ohio State University and a high school student in Elizabethton, Tennessee died. Meningococcal meningitis has been confirmed in the former and is suspected in the latter. Also, an Oregon high school student is in critical condition with confirmed meningococcal meningitis. A second possible case has also been identified. According to the CDC, the US has between 1,000 and 1,200 cases each year. The CDC has more information on the vaccine here.
Human Cases of Avian Influenza in Bangladesh
Two cases avian influenza (H5N1) have been reported in the Kamalapur area of Dhaka. The first case is a one year old girl and second is a 2 year old boy. The boy was diagnosed after increased surveillance following the identification of the girl’s illness. The only other human case of H5N1 in Bangladesh was in 2008 in the same area as the current two cases.
Plague Continues to Spread in Madagascar
Since early February 2011 deaths from both pneumonic and bubonic plague have been occurring in Northern Madagascar. As of February 23rd a total of 45 cases had been detected in the country with 23 deaths. It is thought that plague initially spread as locals mistook symptoms of plague for influenza. It was only after 3 people in one family died in the district of Ambilobe that doctors were alerted. In a report dated March 15th, additional deaths were reported from the Antananarivo region. While plague typically occurs yearly in Madagascar’s Central Highlands, the current outbreak is occurring in a region where the disease is not endemic. In areas affected, homes are being sanitized, and preventative treatment is being given to those who have had contact with plague victims.
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