FDA reports two new outbreaks of unknown origin

The FDA has opened two new outbreak investigations, one for Listeria infections and one for E. Coli infections.

In the Listeria monocytogenes outbreak, the Food and Drug Administration reported 11 patients. The agency did not report an age range for the patients or where they live.

The FDA has begun sample collection and testing for the listeria investigation and is reporting that the source of the pathogen remains unknown. The agency did not report what kind of samples are being tested. Although sample collection and testing have begun, the FDA has not begun traceback efforts or on-site inspections.

For the new E. Coli 0103 outbreak, the FDA reports that there are a dozen confirmed patients. The agency did not report patient information, such as where the patients live.

The agency has begun traceback efforts in the E. Coli investigation but did not report what food or foods are being traced.

In other outbreak news, the FDA continues investigating three other outbreaks.

A Salmonella Thompson outbreak traced to Gills brand diced onions has sickened 73 people, with 15 requiring hospitalization. The FDA first reported the outbreak on Oct. 4. The agency last posted an update on the investigation on Oct. 24. The most recent patient became ill on Sept. 25.

An E. Coli O121:H19 outbreak that has sickened 37 remains under investigation, with no source identified. The FDA first posted the outbreak on Nov. 1. The agency has not reported any patient information, including where patients live. The agency has begun traceback efforts but has not reported what food or foods are being traced.

An outbreak of adverse reactions to lead has been traced to applesauce pouches produced by WanaBana. As of Nov. 15, there have been 22 children reported with symptoms. WanaBana has recalled its product. Schnuck’s and Weis grocery chains have also recalled their brands of applesauce in pouches produced by WanaBana.

Consumers are warned not to feed the recalled products to their children or eat them themselves. Lead is toxic to humans and can affect people of any age or health status, but children are particularly susceptible to lead toxicity. Lead poisoning can result in several long-term problems, including developmental disorders, learning disabilities, and brain damage.

“These products have a long shelf life. Consumers should check their homes and discard these products. Most children have no obvious immediate symptoms of lead exposure,” according to the FDA’s most recent alert. “If there’s suspicion that a child may have been exposed to lead, parents should talk to their child’s healthcare provider about getting a blood test.”

Short-term exposure to lead can result in the following symptoms: headache, abdominal pain/colic, vomiting, and anemia. Longer-term exposure could result in additional symptoms: irritability, lethargy, fatigue, muscle aches or muscle prickling/burning, constipation, difficulty concentrating/muscular weakness, tremors, and weight loss.

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