Federal public health officials are investigating a new outbreak of E. coli O157:H7 infections.
The Food and Drug Administration reports that there are 14 outbreak patients. The agency has not reported the patients’ ages or where they live. Investigators with the FDA have initiated traceback, but the agency has not reported what food it is tracing.
In other outbreak news, the FDA has begun onsite inspections in relation to the outbreak of botulism traced to Nara Organics infant formula. As of July 1, there are three outbreak patients. All three have experienced paralyzation and all three have required hospitalization.
The FDA update posted on July 1 did not report what locations are being inspected. At least four companies are involved in the production and packaging of Nara’s formula. Two of the companies are in Europe.
Prior to learning of the illnesses, FDA conducted inspections at the two firms that manufacture and package Nara Organics Whole Milk Organic Infant Formula in Europe. At the conclusion of both inspections, observations citing deficiencies were issued to both facilities. Both firms have submitted corrective action responses to FDA, which are currently under review.
Two companies in the United States produce the milk and powdered milk used in the Nara product. The milk was supplied by Organic West Milk and spray dried by Dairy Farmers of America.
Additional outbreak updates
For an outbreak of Salmonella Enteritidis linked to a not yet identified product, the case count has increased from 70 to 77. The FDA first reported the outbreak on June 10. The agency has begun traceback but has not reported what food is being traced. The FDA has not reported the patients’ ages or where they live.
For outbreaks of Cyclospora linked to a not yet identified product, FDA has initiated sampling. The agency has not reported what food or location it is sampling. One of the outbreaks has eight confirmed patients and the other has two. These outbreaks are separate from Cyclospora outbreaks that have sickened 145 people across 17 states. No source has been determined for those outbreaks.