27
Jan
2012
Outbreaks

Water Wall in Hospital Dispenses Legionella
20
Jan
2012
Outbreaks
by Chris Wiant, MPH, PhD

The Jensen Farms Cantaloupe Outbreak: How to Avoid Repeating a Tragedy

Last summer a family-owned farm in Colorado became the focal point of the largest foodborne illness outbreak in the US in 25 years. Tragically, cantaloupe contaminated with Listeria bacteria sickened 146 people in 28 states, killed 30 and caused one pregnant woman to miscarry, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The... Read More »
06
Jan
2012
Outbreaks
by Barbara M. Soule, RN, MPA, CIC, FSHEA

Tackling C. diff

Here’s a troubling statistic: Over 165,000 patients will acquire Clostridium difficile (“C. diff’) infections while in US hospitals this year. This organism has become a top hospital-acquired pathogen in the US. “Clostridium difficile,” is a spore-forming bacterium that can live in the lower gastrointestinal tract of some humans and is shed in feces. Persons hosting... Read More »
26
Oct
2011
Outbreaks
by Linda Golodner

Listeria Outbreak in Jensen Farms Cantaloupes: Lessons Learned

Bacterial contamination recently turned a nutritious, beta-carotene-rich melon into an agent of foodborne illness for some unfortunate consumers. The Denver Post reports October 26 that the multi-state outbreak, traced to Rocky-Ford brand cantaloupes grown at Jensen Farms in Holly, Colorado, has caused 28 deaths and that the Colorado cantaloupe industry will be subjected to stronger... Read More »
21
Jun
2011
Outbreaks
by Chris Wiant, MPH, PhD

Shigella Outbreak: New Hampshire, Take a Good Look at Kentucky

Children who are not potty trained are no longer allowed in public pools in four Kentucky counties.  In addition, swimmers who have had diarrhea must not venture into pools for two weeks after diarrhea has subsided.  The Northern Kentucky Health Department set new restrictions for all public pools in response to a recent Shigella outbreak... Read More »
29
Oct
2010
Outbreaks
by Fred Reiff, PE

Red Cross Provides Aid to Victims of Cholera Outbreak in Haiti

Haiti’s first cholera outbreak in a century has killed at least 253 people and infected more than 3,000 with the acute diarrheal disease, overwhelming some clinics and causing the country’s worst public health crisis since January’s earthquake. The Haitian Ministry of Health said tests had confirmed the disease outbreak is cholera, while United Nations officials say the Artibonite... Read More »
08
Sep
2010
Outbreaks
by Chris Wiant, MPH, PhD

Salmonella contamination on farms in Midwest

A national ongoing outbreak of salmonella-contaminated eggs has sickened over 1,400 people since May, according to experts at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The outbreak has been tracked to in-shell eggs from Wright County Egg and Hillandale Farms in Iowa, which have launched a nationwide recall of over 550 million eggs suspected of being... Read More »
27
Jan
2010
Outbreaks
by Water Quality & Health Council

Lull in H1N1 Creates Vaccination Opportunity

H1N1 outbreaks seem to be declining around the country; however, officials warn that a “third wave” could strike as the nation enters peak flu season, particularly if people ignore health officials’ advice to get vaccinated. Last week, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released statistics that show no states with widespread flu activity. The CDC... Read More »