Salmonella has made headlines lately. With over 550 million eggs recalled and a nationwide investigation linked to restaurants and egg farms, few consumers will ever forget the Salmonella outbreak of 2010. While Salmonella is a devastating illness which inflicts diarrhea and nausea upon its victims, it is not the only foodborne illness. While the media focuses intensely on Wright County Egg and Hillandale... [more]

At a recent Northwest Michigan fair, three children are believed to have contracted E. coli poisoning. Although the source of the E. coli has not yet been identified, there is talk that it could be related to food, water, or even a farm animal. As fall quickly approaches, school fairs will soon arrive. This means cotton candy, candy apples, hay rides, and petting zoos. While petting zoos can be fun,... [more]

In recent weeks, there have been numerous Salmonella recalls for pet food, chew toys and supplements that have been made for our pets. The sudden upswing in recalls could be related to a crackdown by the FDA or just the misfortune of a few companies getting their products contaminated with a dangerous foodborne pathogen. Like Salmonella, at the same time. Regardless of the cause of the recalls, people... [more]

There are 14 confirmed cases of Campylobacter in Montana which public health officials suspect is linked to contaminated well water. Montana public health officials in Gallatin County suspect Campylobacter in 70 additional, yet unconfirmed cases.  Although not yet confirmed, the illnesses appear to be centered around a resort located in the proximity of Hebgen Lake. According to the Bozeman Daily... [more]

Normally when people think foodborne illness, they think it is actually associated with food; however, water can serve as a host for parasitic, and bacterial foodborne illness organisms.  The Salt Lake Tribune recently posted a boil order for Saratoga Springs, Utah in an article by David Meyers entitled “Saratoga Springs Boil Order Still in Effect.” Utah County has recently seen seven cases of... [more]

Campylobacter jejuni bacteria ingestion results in Campylobacteriosis, a foodborne illness which can cause severe health problems. Diarrhea is frequently associated with Campylobacter food poisoning. Fever, pain, and nausea are additional Campylobacteriosis symptoms. Campylobacter illness can last ten days with the possibility of symptom relapse. Symptoms of Campylobacteriosis usually appear after... [more]

Foodborne illness victims may suffer reactive arthritis (also known as Reiter’s Syndrome or RS) following an infection with Salmonella, Shigella, Yersinia, or Campylobacter bacteria. It appears that a person’s body reacts to a bacterial infection…. apparently the bacterial infection leads to joint pain, conjunctivitis, and urinary track inflammation. These three symptoms in combination or... [more]

The FDA recently issued an alert regarding raw milk linked to a Campylobacteriosis outbreak. According to the FDA, raw milk from Forest Grove Dairy located in Middlebury, Indiana has been determined to be the source of the Campylobacter food poisoning.  A dozen confirmed Campylobacter food poisoning cases have been reported in Michigan. The victims may have received the milk through Family Farms Cooperative,... [more]

John Hacker with the Carthage Press reported on a Campylobacter outbreak in Jasper County Missouri which has sickened five individuals. Each of the five Campylobacter victims live in close proximity to Alba. The Jasper County Health Department has yet to determine the source of the Campylobacter outbreak. Campylobacter jejuni bacteria can be associated with food poisoning. Campylobacteriosis has previously... [more]

Children love petting zoos. Interacting one on one with the sheep and goats seems to be particularly fun for youngsters. However, petting zoos can be a hidden source of various illnesses including E. coli. There are several illnesses which can be passed from animals to people. Some of these are more commonly thought of as foodborne illnesses. Here is a list of some of the transferrable illnesses: Brucellosis... [more]