FDA launches investigation into new Listeria outbreak; source of Salmonella outbreak appears to be mangoes

Federal officials are investigating a new outbreak of Listeria monocytogenes infections.

According to the Food and Administration, there were three confirmed patients present on August 21. An outbreak occurs when two or more patients are infected with the same strain of a pathogen.

The FDA has initiated traceback efforts, but the agency has not reported which food(s) are being traced, the age of the patients or where they live.

In other outbreak news, the FDA reports that an outbreak of Salmonella Irumu has ended. The agency first reported the outbreak on July 10. The FDA, working with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and state health and agriculture departments, determined that fresh mangoes were the source of the illnesses.

“. . . researchers were unable to pinpoint a specific source of contamination while the outbreak was considered ongoing. This outbreak is over. All products have passed their expiration date and are no longer on the market. There is no ongoing risk to public health,” the FDA outbreak update said.

Other outbreak updates
In the past week, the number of patients in whom a disease outbreak due to the parasite Cyclospora cayetanensis has increased from 21 to 35. The FDA initiated a facility inspection and product sampling, but did not report which facility or food is being tested.

The FDA first reported the outbreak on August 7. The agency did not report the ages or hometowns of the patients.

In another outbreak of infections due to the Cyclospora cayetanensis parasite, the FDA initiated sampling but did not report which foods are tested.

In an outbreak of Salmonella Newport infection, the FDA reports that the number of patients has increased from three to four in the past week. The agency has launched an inspection, but is not yet reporting which facility is being inspected or what food is involved.

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