Image by Michal Jarmoluk from Pixabay
Several active foodborne outbreaks have had movement recently. Making it a great time to update the Make Food Safe family on the current status of foodborne outbreak investigations.
The Listeria monocytogenes outbreak announced on March 13, 2025 has made some progress. There have been 28 cases linked to this outbreak.
FDA sampling activities have been initiated and at least one site inspection.
Movement this early in a foodborne outbreak investigation is a good thing. As you will find in some of the older outbreaks, investigations are forced to close before a food source can be identified. We hope that isn’t the case for this one.
The Listeria monocytogenes outbreak announced on March 5, 2025 has checked all the boxes. In addition to sampling and site inspection activities, traceback activities have been initiated. Three cases have been linked to this outbreak investigation.
We will likely see a source for this outbreak soon.
Unfortunately, the Salmonella Newport outbreak has not had the same luck. So far there are 33 cases associated with this outbreak.
While traceback investigation has been initiated for this outbreak, there has been no additional answers so far.
The Listeria monocytogenes outbreak announced December 26, 2024 has been linked to frozen supplemental shakes. As of February 24, 2025 there have been 38 cases across 21 states associated with the outbreak. All but one case required hospitalization and there have been 12 reported deaths.
This long-term outbreak has been traced back to cases over the course of several years.
Now that a source has been identified and no new cases have been reported, this active foodborne outbreak will likely close soon.
The Listeria monocytogenes outbreak announced January 15, 2025 has ended without a confirmed food source. This is one of the active foodborne outbreaks where all of the steps have been made. Traceback activities have been initiated, sampling has been started, and site inspections have even taken place. Yet no source could be identified.
This happens for many different reasons.
In some cases, products expires or spoils before the outbreak investigation can get to it those specific lots. Other times it is difficult to narrow down food exposures to a single item, based on patient interviews. And sadly, in some outbreaks, people’s illnesses are so severe that they are unable to be interviewed. Leaving missing information.
It is always unfortunate when active foodborne outbreaks come to a close without answers.
The Salmonella Enteritidis outbreak announced February 5, 2025 that was linked to imported mini pastries has officially ended on March 20, 2025 and has been closed.
As of March 14, 2025, a total of 18 people across 7 states were associated with the outbreak. At least one person has been hospitalized.
The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that around 1,600 people become sick with listeriosis each year. About 260 deaths are associated with this illness. Most of these illnesses are traced back to contaminated food.
While anyone can become sick with listeriosis, certain people are more likely to become infected if exposed and experience more severe illness in infected. These include pregnant people and their newborns, the elderly aged 65 and older, and those with a compromised immune system.
Listeriosis is a unique illness in that symptoms vary based on whether a person is pregnant or not. Those who are pregnant often experience milder symptoms, though the bigger risk is to their fetus or newborn.
Pregnant people may experience fever, fatigue, and muscle aches. However, becoming sick with listeriosis while pregnant increases the chance of still birth, premature delivery, miscarriage, or life-threatening infection of their newborn.
Symptoms for those who are not pregnant often include headaches, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance, and convulsions. Fever and muscle aches are also possible.
Listeria bacteria can find its way into any food item if cross-contamination occurs, but certain foods are more known for harboring this harmful bug.
Common foods include, but are not limited to:
Salmonella is a type of germ and a leading cause of foodborne illnesses resulting in hospitalization and deaths in the United States. In fact, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that Salmonella is responsible for around 1.35 million infections across the country each year
Certain groups of people have conditions or susceptibilities that make them more likely to become sick if exposed and experience more severe symptoms if infected.
Those more vulnerable to Salmonella infection include:
Those more likely to experience sever symptoms include:
While most people do not need medical intervention and are not prescribed antibiotic treatment, those in the higher risk group are more likely to receive treatment.
The most common form of Salmonella illness is called salmonellosis.
Symptoms usually involve nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, cramps, and fever that last a few days and then taper off within a week.
But a more serious form of Salmonella infection comes in the form of Enteric fever. A broad term for typhoid or paratyphoid fever. This type of infection is usually associated with drinking water contaminated with sewage.
Symptoms of Enteric fever include high fever, diarrhea or constipation, aches, headache, and drowsiness.
Enteric fever is serious. Up to 10% of those with this type of Salmonella illness who do not receive treatment may die.
Just about anything can become contaminated with Salmonella bacteria. However, certain foods have been associated with Salmonella contamination more than others.
Common foods associated with Salmonella include:
If you have become sick from one of these active foodborne outbreaks or another bout of foodborne illness, The Lange Law Firm, PLLC can help.
The Lange Law Firm, PLLC has experienced Listeria and Salmonella lawyers who has successfully represented people with cases just like yours. Call (833) 330-3663 or email us for a free, no obligation consultation.
By: Heather Van Tassell (contributing writer, non-lawyer)
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