Tuesday, June 28, 2011

Sprouts from Idaho firm linked to illnesses in Washington

Customers urged to discard sprouts from this source

OLYMPIA ¾ A multi-state disease outbreak leads Washington health officials to warn people not to eat alfalfa sprouts or spicy sprout labeled “Evergreen Produce” or “Evergreen Produce, Inc.” The sprouts are linked to nine cases of Salmonella Enteritidis in Washington; cases have also been reported in Idaho, Montana and North Dakota.

The alfalfa sprouts are packaged in 4-ounce and 16-ounce plastic bags with the Idaho company’s pre-printed labels. They are also packaged in 1-pound and 5-pound plastic bags with stick-on labels. The spicy sprouts are packaged in 4-ounce plastic bags with pre-printed labels and 1-pound plastic bags with stick-on labels.

People shouldn’t eat any products containing alfalfa or spicy sprouts from Evergreen Produce — discard them immediately.

The Washington cases of Salmonella Enteritidis occurred in late May and early June among residents of Benton, Ferry, Grant, Spokane, Walla Walla and Whitman counties. Two individuals have required hospitalization.

Salmonellosis is a common infection; about 600 to 800 cases are usually reported each year in our state. It can cause diarrhea, fever, and vomiting. Symptoms usually develop within one to five days after eating contaminated food. Most infected people get better without treatment.

The sprouts were distributed to grocery stores and restaurants in Washington and other Northwest states. The Department of Health urges markets, restaurants, and delicatessens to check their stock immediately and pull all of these products. Retailers and wholesalers who have any of the identified sprouts should separate them from other produce and contact their supplier.

People who have eaten sprouts and become ill should contact their health care provider. Salmonellosis can cause serious illness that can lead to hospitalization and even death. The risk is particularly high for the elderly, people with low immune systems, and the very young.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has more information on the sprout investigation (www.fda.gov/NewsEvents/Newsroom/PressAnnouncements/ucm260836.htm).

More information on salmonellosis (www.doh.wa.gov/EHSPHL/factsheet/salmonel.htm) is on the Department of Health Web site.

The Department of Health website (www.doh.wa.gov) is your source for a healthy dose of information. Also, find us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.

Contacts:
Donn Moyer, CommunicationsOffice360-236-4076
Gordon MacCracken, Communications Office 360-236-4072

Thursday, June 23, 2011

High level of shellfish toxin found in mussels

Thursday, June 23, 2011 - 11:06

BY DEBORAH TRACY

The Daily World

The state Department of Health says mussels from the Grays Harbor area are unsafe to eat because of high levels of a toxin that causes paralytic shellfish poisoning.

According to the department's website, all Grays Harbor is closed to the sport harvest of all species of clams, oysters, mussels and other marine invertebrates, such as the moon snail. At present, the closure does not apply to crabs or shrimp
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Commercial oyster growers in Grays Harbor and Willapa Bay are sending lot by lot samples to the Department, which will test each lot before clearing it for sale, said Frank Cox of the Department of Health.

Mussels serve as a "canary in the coal mine" warning system that alerts officials to the possibility of a toxic bloom in the ocean waters that could affect other shellfish, said Cox, marine biotoxin coordinator for the state Health Department.

On Monday, mussels taken from a test site in Westport tested at a level more than three times the state's threshold for paralytic shellfish poisoning.

Plankton monitors off the shore near Grayland are also detecting the toxic plankton in marine waters, Cox said.

"Mussels are our early warning system because they pick up the toxin quicker than most other shellfish," he said.

The danger, according to Cox, is PSP levels can skyrocket quickly. Graphs of toxin levels in the past when toxin blooms have occurred reveal an almost vertical line in the rise of toxin levels. "Cell reproduction is very rapid and shellfish can go toxic very quickly," he said.

Sport harvesting of shellfish is prohibited on local beaches each year from April 1 to Oct. 31 because of the possibility of high PSP levels, a natural phenomenon.

The organism responsible for the poisoning is a naturally occurring plankton in the waters of the Northwest, Cox said.

There aren't a lot of areas where people can access mussels, but they should not consume mussels at this time.

Petting Zoo's and Your Health

Summer is upon us and petting zoos and animal exhibits are a popular attraction at fairs and events. While petting zoos are a fun way for children and families to learn about animals, it is important to remember to wash your hands after feeding or handling the animals.

Many animals carry microorganisms (germs) that can be transmitted to humans and cause illness. Common examples of these microorganisms include E. coli, Salmonella and Campylobacter. These germs can not only be found in animal feces but also on their skin and fur as well. Young children are especially susceptible to these illnesses because they often put unwashed hands in their mouths and because their immune systems aren’t as strong as older children and adults.

The best way to protect yourself and your family is to remember to wash your hands with soap and water after coming in contact with animals. Hand sanitizer is also an effective way to prevent transmission of microorganisms but is most effective when used in conjunction with proper handwashing. Additional precautions can also be taken. These include not eating or drinking in animal contact areas, do not allow your child to use a pacifier while interacting with animals and do not kiss the animals.

If you have any additional questions or concerns please contact the Environmental Health Staff at (360) 249-4413.

Friday, June 17, 2011

4 sickened with E. coli after visiting Everett animal farm

By Sharon Salyer, Herald Writer
Four people, including two children, have been sickened with E. coli infections after recent visits to the city of Everett's animal farm.

"It's a reminder that all petting zoos have a hazard," said Dr. Gary Goldbaum, health officer for the Snohomish Health District.

All four people were sickened with vomiting and diarrhea. Both children are under the age of 5. One was hospitalized for several days at Seattle Children's Hospital but has since been discharged, Goldbaum said.

The two adults were both under age 30, he said. One was a city employee who worked at the farm.

None of the other three people who became ill was hospitalized.

There are no other suspected cases, Goldbaum said. However, anyone who has visited the animal farm since its opening on June 4 and had bouts of vomiting and diarrhea should contact their medical clinic, he said. Be sure to mention the visit to the animal farm, he added.

The exact type of E. coli the people have been sickened with has not yet been identified, but Goldbaum suspects it will be E. coli O157:H7, which has caused numerous food outbreaks in the past.

The bacterium resides in the intestines of animals.

The animal farm, run by Everett's parks department, has 25,000 visitors each year. The animals kept there include sheep, calves, piglets, chickens, goats, ducks, a horse, a pony and bunnies.

The city has no plans to temporarily close the animal farm, said spokeswoman Kate Reardon. It will operate on its normal hours of 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily through Aug. 14.

The city spent three and a half hours thoroughly cleaning the farm after learning that all four people sickened with E. coli had recently been on the animal farm site, she said.

Both she and Goldbaum said they feel it is safe for children to visit the animal farm, but they emphasized the importance of having children vigorously wash their hands after being in contact with farm animals.

The message doesn't just apply to petting zoos, but to fairs and farms that families may visit in the summer time, Goldbaum said.

"It's essential that children be monitored … and that everyone washes their hands carefully after touching anything at the petting zoo," Goldbaum said. "It's important to make sure you're protecting yourself against infections."

Sharon Salyer: 425-339-3486 or salyer@heraldnet.com

© 2011 The Daily Herald Co., Everett, WA