New E. coli outbreak under investigation

The FDA is investigating a new outbreak of E. coli O157:H7 infections that has sickened 25 people.

The Food and Drug Administration did not report where the patients live or how old they are. The agency has begun traceback efforts, but is not yet reporting which food or foods are traced.

E. coli is particularly dangerous and often leads to hospitalization of patients. Some patients develop a form of kidney failure, while others develop brain damage. The risk of death is greater in patients infected with E. coli O157:H7 than with other types of E. coli.

Other outbreak news
In two separate outbreaks of the Cyclospora parasite, the number of patients is increasing.

The Cyclospora outbreak first reported on July 31 has now infected 46 people, up from 44 a week ago. For the Cyclospora outbreak first reported on August 7, the number of patients has increased from 35 to 41 compared to a week ago.

No patient data, including ages and states of residence, have been reported for either outbreak.

A source of the parasite in either outbreak has not yet been determined by FDA investigators. The agency has begun traceback and sample testing and on-site inspection for one of the outbreaks and traceback and sample testing in the other. The FDA has not reported where the on-site inspection takes place or which foods are tracked and tested.

In a Salmonella Newport outbreak first reported on August 7, the number of patients has risen from four to six compared to a week ago. The FDA does not report the ages of patients or where they live.

The agency has begun tracking, but is not reporting which food or foods are being traced. The FDA has also begun on-site inspections, but is not reporting which facility is being inspected.

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