Food Protection Trends - August 2008 - 621

NEWS Kaarin Goodburn Awarded MBE for Services to the Food Industry to illness. Recently, many clusters of illnesses have been identified in Texas and other states among persons who ate at restaurants. These clusters have led us to broaden the investigation to be sure that it encompasses food items that are commonly consumed with tomatoes. Since April, 851 persons infected with Salmonella Saintpaul with the same genetic fingerprint have been identified in 36 states and the District of Columbia. These were identified because clinical laboratories in all states send Salmonella strains from ill persons to their state public health laboratory for characterization. Among the 581 persons with information available, illnesses began between April 10 and June 20, 2008, including 173 who became ill on June 1 or later. Many steps must occur between a person becoming ill and the determination that the illness was caused by the outbreak strain of Salmonella; these steps take an average of 2–3 weeks. Therefore, an illness reported today may have begun 2–3 weeks ago. Patients range in age from <1 to 99 years; 49% are female. The number of illnesses is highest among persons 20 to 29 years old; the number of illnesses is lowest in children 10 to 19 years old and persons greater than 60 years old. At least 105 persons were hospitalized. No deaths have been officially attributed to this outbreak. However, a man in his sixties who died in Texas from cancer had an infection with the outbreak strain of Salmonella Saintpaul at the time of his death. The infection may have contributed to his death. Only 3 persons infected with this strain of Salmonella Saintpaul were identified in the country during the same period in 2007. The previous rarity of this strain and the distribution of illnesses in all US regions suggest that the implicated food is distributed throughout much of the country. Because many persons with Salmonella illness do not have a stool specimen tested, it is likely that many more illnesses have occurred than those reported. Most persons infected with Salmonella develop diarrhea, fever, and abdominal cramps 12–72 hours after infection. Infection is usually diagnosed by culture of a stool sample. The illness usually lasts 4–7 days. Although most people recover without treatment, severe infections may occur. Infants, elderly persons, and those with impaired immune systems are more likely than others to develop severe illness. When severe infection occurs, Salmonella may spread from the intestines to the bloodstream and then to other body sites, and can cause death. In these severe cases, antibiotic treatment may be necessary. At this time, FDA is advising US consumers to limit their tomato consumption to those that are not the likely source of this outbreak. These include cherry tomatoes; grape tomatoes; tomatoes sold with the vine still attached; tomatoes grown at home; and red plum, red Roma, and round red tomatoes from specific sources listed at: http:// www.fda.gov/oc/opacom/hottopics/ tomatoes.html*. Consumers should be aware that raw tomatoes are often used in the preparation of fresh salsa, guacamole, and pico de gallo, are part of fillings for tortillas, and are used in many other dishes. Consumers everywhere are advised to: • Refrigerate within 2 hours or discard cut, peeled, or cooked tomatoes. • Avoid purchasing bruised or damaged tomatoes and discard any that appear spoiled. • Thoroughly wash all tomatoes under running water. K aarin Goodburn, CFA secretary general, has been awarded an MBE for services to the food industry in the Queen’s 2008 Birthday Honours List published. With a background in biochemistry, applied molecular biology and food science, Ms. Goodburn has worked with CFA since its launch in 1989, much of the time as a consultant to the Association. She is responsible for the development of CFA, its policies, activities and relationships with members, government and the media. Ms. Goodburn is a member of numerous expert working groups and committees in the UK and internationally, and a board member of a wide range of research projects and organizations. Commenting on her award, Ms. Goodburn said: “This award is quite a surprise and a great honor recognising not only my work personally but also the standing and positive contribution of CFA in public life.” Investigation of Outbreak of Infections caused by Salmonella Saintpaul C DC is collaborating with public health officials in many states, the Indian Health Service, and the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to investigate an ongoing multi-state outbreak of human Salmonella serotype Saintpaul infections. An initial epidemiologic investigation comparing foods eaten by ill and well persons identified consumption of raw tomatoes as strongly linked AUGUST 2008 | FOOD PROTECTION TRENDS 621

http://www.fda.gov/oc/opacom/hottopics/tomatoes.html http://www.fda.gov/oc/opacom/hottopics/tomatoes.html http://www.fda.gov/oc/opacom/hottopics/tomatoes.html

Food Protection Trends - August 2008

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