Federal authorities are investigating a new outbreak of E. coli O121:H19. The source of the pathogen has not yet been identified.
The investigation is in its early stages and 33 patients have already been identified. The Food and Drug Administration does not release patient information, such as the patient’s place of residence or age.
The FDA has begun follow-up efforts and has indicated that researchers have identified several possible sources of the pathogen. However, the FDA has not reported what foods it is tracking, nor has it initiated on-site inspections or tests.
In other outbreak news, FDA investigators are continuing to work on the E. coli O26:H11 outbreak that was first reported on October 30th. The number of patients is currently 9. The FDA has started tracking, but has not reported what foods are being tracked. The agency has also begun on-site inspections and sample collection, but has not reported which locations are being inspected or what samples are being taken.
The number of patients in the Salmonella Thompson outbreak was adjusted from 27 to 25. The FDA has started tracking, but has not reported what foods are being tracked. The outbreak was first reported on October 17th.
The Listeria monocytogenes outbreak has been declared over. Investigators identified four patients, but the source of the pathogen was not found. The FDA first reported the outbreak on August 21st. The FDA conducted a follow-up study, but did not report what foods it tracked. The agency also conducted sample tests, but did not report the details of the tests.
The number of patients infected with Cyclospora protozoa has increased to 47. The FDA has begun a follow-up investigation, but has not reported on the details of the follow-up. The agency has also begun on-site inspections and sample testing, but has not reported which locations or what it will test. The agency first announced the outbreak on June 19th.
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