Plague Danger in California and New Mexico

The New Mexico Department of Health is reporting a case of plague in a 43-year-old woman from Rio Arriba County who is currently hospitalized. Confirmatory testing was conducted at the Department's Scientific Laboratory Division.

The 1st plague case in New Mexico in 2014 was reported in April 2014 in a 57-year-old man from Torrance County who is still recovering. An environmental investigation will take place at the woman's home to look for ongoing risk to others in the surrounding area.

San Diego County officials issued an alert last week after 2 squirrels trapped in routine monitoring at an empty outdoor school on Palomar Mountain have tested positive for plague. The squirrels were trapped on property at Camp Palomar Outdoor School, which was undergoing summer maintenance and not scheduled to be used by campers until 25 Aug 2014.

This prompted officials to remind people to take simple steps to protect themselves when camping and hiking. "When you're enjoying the outdoors, just remember, don't feed or play with squirrels; don't play near squirrel burrows or set up your tents around them; and report dead squirrels to camp rangers," said San Diego County Environmental Health Director Liz Pozzebon.

[Plague is prevalent in rodents in the western USA. Humans can be infected through 1) the bite of an infected flea carried by a rodent or, rarely, other animals; 2) direct contact with contaminated tissues; or 3) in rare cases, inhalation of respiratory secretions from infected people or animals.

Plague is a potential bioterrorism agent. Human infections are rare but can be life-threatening. The case fatality rate of plague depends on the whether it attacks the lymph nodes (bubonic), bloodstream ( septicemic)  or lungs (pneumonic). It is also dependent on the timing of initiation of antibiotic therapy.If untreated, the case fatality rate is over 50 per cent for bubonic plague and approaches 100 per cent for pneumonic plague (1). Rapid laboratory identification can help guide therapy.

Domestic cats and dogs can also contract plague from infected fleas. They may carry infected fleas home to their owners or, especially with cats, serve as a direct source of infection. There are many flea treatments and repellents appropriate for pets available. Some products may be suitable for dogs but not cats or may be suitable for an adult but not a younger animal. Be sure to consult your veterinarian, as some products may be toxic to cats, kittens, and puppies, even resulting in fatalities.

Clinical signs in pets involve a localized swelling, such as under the jaw in cats, but also in the inguinal region or under the front leg (the armpit, if you will), lethargy, anorexia, and fever. Please take your pet to a veterinarian if you notice any abnormalities.

Veterinarians should protect themselves by wearing gloves when examining these swellings. A bubo that ruptures may infect the veterinarian or even the pet owner if the pet owner is the one palpating the swelling.

Another form of the disease is the respiratory form. Cats may acquire this form and can spread it to their owners or the veterinarians through infected expiratory droplets. People are also prone to the respiratory infection.

You should also be aware that the fleas that hitchhike into your home on a pet can also transmit disease to you, the owner or caretaker of the pet. Sleeping in the same bed with dogs has been associated with plague in enzootic areas (2). Plague patients with no history of exposure to rodents can be infected by _Y. pestis_ if their pets carry infected rodent fleas into the home. Veterinarians always should recommend flea control to dog and cat owners.

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Green Vibrance and Rainbow Vibrance recalled Due to Possible Salmonella Contamination

New England Greens of Canaan, Connecticut is recalling 10 lots of Green Vibrance and one lot of Rainbow Vibrance after a former raw material supplier, Raw Deal of Allamuchy, NJ, recalled the Organic Parsley Leaf Powder used to manufacture Green Vibrance and Rainbow Vibrance because of the potential for contamination with Salmonella. Although the possibility is slight that any amount of Salmonella is present in any of the recalled lots of the above-mentioned products, New England Greens is issuing the recall with an abundance of caution for the safety of its consumers. No illnesses have been reported to date in connection with this problem.

Salmonella is a bacterial organism which may cause from mild to severe food poisoning. In severe cases, sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems may result. Healthy persons infected with Salmonella often experience fever, diarrhea (which may be bloody), nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. In rare circumstances, infection with Salmonella can result in the organism getting into the bloodstream and producing more severe illnesses such as arterial infections (i.e., infected aneurysms), endocarditis and arthritis.

The implicated lots of Green Vibrance and Rainbow Vibrance were distributed nationwide through both brick and mortar and online health food and natural product retailers. The products are packaged in white, high density polyethylene (HDPE) canister jars ranging in size from 20 ounce to 51 ounce. One lot of Green Vibrance capsules, 240 per bottle, is also included in the recall as well as one lot of Green Vibrance single-serving packets, 15 packets per cardboard display box.

Recalled products and lot numbers are as follows:

Description	Code	Lot #
Rainbow Vibrance, pdr, 177 gm, 30 day	RV19	131193
Green Vibrance Capsules, 240 count	GVC	1401078
Green Vibrance Single Serving Display	GVSD	1040176 1040176
Green Vibrance pdr, 363 gm, 30-day	GV30	1041083 1401092 1401094
Green Vibrance pdr, 181.5 gm, 15-day	GV15	1041084 1041086 1041087 1041088 1041089

53,740 units of the above products were sold into the marketplace.

To date, Vibrant Health has received NO COMPLAINTS and there have been NO INCIDENTS of salmonellosis related to any lot number of Green Vibrance or Rainbow Vibrance. Organic parsley leaf comprises just 2.07% of one serving of Green Vibrance and 3.26% of one serving of Rainbow Vibrance. Furthermore, to date, 21 analyses have been run on the parsley material and the finished products containing that material. No contamination has been found.

Consumers who have purchased any of the lot numbers of Green Vibrance or Rainbow Vibrance listed above are urged to return the product to the place of purchase for a full refund. Consumers with questions may contact the company at 1-800-242-1835.

8/3/14 Health News: Birth control pills linked to breast cancer ♦ Cheesecake Factory’ offers Food with Maximum Calories ♦ Ohio drinking water emergency

Study links certain birth control pills to breast cancer Past studies had already made a link between oral contraceptives, AKA "the pill," and breast cancer. The American Cancer Society says women who use the pill are at a greater risk for breast cancer. Continue Reading

The Cheesecake Factory’ offers Food with Maximum Calories

The Xtreme Eating Awards 2014 for food with highest calories have been awarded to the Cheesecake Factory. This competition is hosted by the nonprofit Center for Science in the Public Interest. This non-profit organization was founded in the early 1970s. In all these years, it has acted as "the voice of the American public on nutrition, food safety, health and other issues… continue reading

Ohio drinking water emergency 'not over yet'

A toxin discovered in a northwestern Ohio treatment plant left 500,000 people without drinkable tap water for a second day Sunday.Toledo Mayor D. Michael Collins said the level of toxins in the water has decreased, but that more tests are needed to ensure that the city's water is safe to drink.Continue Reading

Multistate outbreak of hepatitis A infection linked to pomegranate seeds from Turkey

In 2013, an outbreak of hepatitis A made 162 people in 10 states sick after they ate a berry blend product purchased at a national chain store.

CDC detected the outbreak on May 15. Scientists promptly applied whole genome sequencing and other advanced analytic methods to establish that not only were the infecting strains identical, but also belonged to an unusual hepatitis A virus genotype that is rare in the United States.

CDC completed its analysis within a week of receiving samples from the first 20 cases. This automated technology proved to be quicker, simpler and more sensitive than if the samples had been processed by previous methods. As the outbreak spread, other cases also were found to be infected by the same viral strain.

Advanced molecular detection helped CDC and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) link this specific strain of the virus with the outbreak investigation data to identify quickly a shipment of pomegranate seeds from Turkey as the source of the outbreak. With this information FDA was able to identify the company selling the seeds and take action to ensure shipments were stopped until checked. FDA worked with pomegranate seed distributors to make sure all recipients were notified.

A public announcement about the risk related to the product was made on May 31. Local public health departments and the retail chain that sold the product vaccinated more than 10,000 people as a precaution in case someone had been exposed.

Advanced molecular detection methods helped stop this outbreak in its tracks in record time, better protecting the health of the public.

8/2/14 Health News: 58 CRYPTOSPORIDIUM CASES IN FLORIDA ♦ Russia to ban certain food imports from US, Poland ♦ HYGIENE FAILINGS’ AT UK POULTRY PROCESSING PLANTS

FLORIDA COUNTY ISSUES HEALTH ALERT AFTER 58 CRYPTOSPORIDIUM CASES

The Florida Department of Health in Pinellas County has issued a health alert for the county after 58 cases of a parasitic illness had been reported as of July 29. Cryptosporidium is a parasite found in contaminated water, and can make people very sick. Symptoms include severe cramps, diarrhea and vomiting. “It really has to... Continue Reading

Russia to ban certain food imports from US, Poland

FBR Staff Writer Published 30 July 2014 Russian food safety agency Rosselkhoznadzor is planning to ban certain fruit and vegetable imports from Poland, as well as chicken imports from the US over food safety concerns. The agency will also test cheese from McDonald's for certain antibiotics. The move to ban imports from Poland forms a part of Veterinary and Phytosanitary …continue reading

HYGIENE FAILINGS’ BEING INVESTIGATED AT UK POULTRY PROCESSING PLANTS

A five-month Guardian investigation which uncovered “hygiene failings” at two of the largest UK poultry processors has prompted the Food Standards Agency (FSA) and three major supermarkets in the UK to launch their own inquiries. The allegations have been directed at two factories owned by 2 Sisters Food Group which supply fresh chicken and chicken... Continue Reading

Organic Raw Carob Powder Recalled Due to Salmonella

Sunburst Superfoods of Tuckahoe, NY, is recalling Sunburst SUPERFOODS Organic Raw Carob Powder sold from March 12, 2014 through July 28th, 2014, because it has the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella.

Salmonella is an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Healthy persons infected with Salmonella often experience fever, diarrhea (which may be bloody), nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. In rare circumstances, infection with Salmonella can result in the organism getting into the bloodstream and producing more severe illnesses such as arterial infections (i.e., infected aneurysms), endocarditis and arthritis.

Sunburst SUPERFOODS Organic Raw Carob Powder was distributed throughout the United States to consumers through online sales.

Sunburst SUPERFOODS Organic Raw Carob Powder was sold in One Pound and Five Pound bags with no coding. The product is packaged in re-sealable, all-natural brown paper bags with a thin metal and thin plastic lining on the interior of the bags.

Our supplier initiated a recall of the bulk Organic Raw Carob Powder after learning that one of its customers received a positive test for Salmonella from their original lot. While sampling conducted by the manufacturer did not indicate the presence of Salmonella, we are recalling this product out of an abundance of caution.

Consumers who have purchased Sunburst SUPERFOODS Organic Raw Carob Powder are urged not to consume the product and to return it to us as soon as possible for a full refund. Consumers with questions may contact the company at 1-800-228-4436, Monday - Friday, 9 am – 4 pm, ET or by e-mail to customerservice@sunburstsuperfoods.com.

Sweet 2 Eat Stone Fruit Recall Expanded:

Wawona Packing Company of Cutler, California is expanding its voluntary recall from July 19, 2014, of whole white and yellow peaches, white and yellow nectarines, plums and pluots due to the potential of the products being contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes.

Listeria monocytogenes is an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Although healthy individuals may suffer only short-term symptoms such as high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea, Listeria infection can cause miscarriages and stillbirths among pregnant women.

The July 19 recall covered specific lots of products packed from June 1 through July 12, 2014. Wawona Packing Company is expanding the recall, as a precautionary step, to cover all products packed in the Wawona Packing Co. facility from June 1, 2014 through July 17, 2014 because the company’s experts have yet to identify with scientific certainty the source of Listeria monocytogenes in the facility.

Beginning on July 18, 2014, no products have been packed at the Wawona Packing facility in Cutler, CA. Products packed on or after July 18 outside of the Wawona Packing Co. facility are not affected by this recall.

Consumers can identify the recalled products by the information provided in the attached photographs. The recalled products include the following brands marketed to consumers: Sweet 2 Eat, Sweet 2 Eat Organic, Mrs. Smittcamp’s, and are also packed in private labels. These brands will be on the boxes or on the stickers placed on individual fruit. Anyone who has the recalled products in their possession should not consume them and should discard them. If consumers are seeking reimbursement, they should return to the store where they purchased the product to request a refund, providing proof of purchase or receipt if available. Consumers with questions may contact Wawona Packing’s consumer information desk at 1-888-232-9912, M-F, 8am-11pm EST or Sat-Sun 8am-8pm EST, or visit www.wawonapacking.com for a copy of this press release and product photos.

Wawona Packing shipped the recalled products directly to retailers and wholesalers who resell or further distribute the products. Because we do not know the locations of the companies or stores that received the products from our direct customers, the company is issuing a nationwide recall.

.The July 19 recall was initiated based on internal company testing. The company shut down the packing lines, retrofitted equipment, sanitized the facility, and is working with experts on Listeria in making further improvements to the food safety program. Our packing lines in the Cutler, California facility will not reopen until we know, in consultation with experts, that they are safe.

“Wawona Packing believes in the highest standards of food safety. We have been working around the clock to determine the source of the Listeria monocytogenes. We have brought in nationally known experts in food safety to investigate every part of our packing facility, and we are working with the U.S. Food & Drug Administration,” said company president Brent Smittcamp.