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Previous Disease Outbreaks and Investigations

Salmonella Illness Associated with Frozen Pot Pies 
      Information Updated on October 19, 2007 

State health officials are urging people not to consume frozen pot pie products (chicken, turkey, or beef) that may be linked to 21 Salmonella illnesses in 14 Wisconsin counties (see table) and hundreds of other illnesses across the US.  The USDA announced a recall of the following 7 oz. single serving brands bearing an establishment number "P-9" or "Est. 1059" printed on the side of the package:

The USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) has recalled these products and instructed anyone with these products not to eat them and to discard them.  Investigations are ongoing to determine the source, products and potential production dates of contamination and to verify proper cooking instructions for these not-ready-to-eat products. A particular concern is that microwave cooking instructions may not be adequate to thoroughly cook the product in low-wattage microwave ovens.

Salmonella symptoms typically appear 18 to 36 hours after exposure, but can occur as quickly as 12 hours - or as long as 72 hours - after exposure. People exposed to salmonella bacteria may experience mild to severe diarrhea, abdominal pains, fever, and occasionally vomiting for several days. Bloodstream infections are infrequent, but can be quite serious, particularly in the very young or elderly. Most people with Salmonella will recover on their own, but it's important to drink fluids to prevent dehydration. If you have any questions about your symptoms, contact your health care provider.

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E. coli O157:H7 illness Associated with Ground Beef Patties

Linked to ground beef patties sold at Sam's Club. (Illness onset from September 23, 2007.) Infected with the outbreak strain of E coli O157:H7 and reporting exposure to Sam's Club ground beef patties.

The USDA has announced a recall of ground beef patties linked to several E. coli O157:H7 cases in Minnesota and Wisconsin.  Anyone who purchased "American Chef's Selection Angus Beef Patties" from Sam's Club (Item Number 700141) after August 25, 2007 should return the product to the nearest Sam's Club or throw it away.  Additional beef products from the same producer were also recalled (see products and sell-by dates in USDA release below).

As of 10/9 the Division of Public Health has identified 4 Wisconsin residents with lab-confirmed E. coli 0157:H7 infection, a history of eating beef patties purchased at Sam's Club, and laboratory evidence that their infection is due to the same strain of E. coli as the Minnesota cases. Health authorities will continue to monitor for additional cases.

E. coli is a bacteria of the intestinal tract that causes diarrhea, usually bloody, with severe abdominal cramps. Fever occurs in fewer than one-third of patients. Symptoms typically begin three to eight days following exposure. Some people may become infected but display no symptoms.

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Peanut Butter Advisory Advisory began 02-14-2007. 
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is warning consumers not to eat certain jars of Peter Pan Peanut Butter and Great Value Peanut Butter with product code "2111" on the lid as they may be contaminated with Salmonella.  While states are no longer collecting or testing peanut butter, the FDA investigation is ongoing and they are conducting an inspection of the peanut butter manufacturing facility in Georgia.
For specific details, see the Salmonella Outbreak page (CDC) (exit DHFS) 

Wisconsin has seen no new cases since the original 6 of Salmonella Tennessee were reported that matched with the CDC multi-state cluster.  The cases, which appeared between 09/05/2006 and 01/28/2007, were reported in the following counties:  Dane, Manitowoc, Milwaukee, Outagamie, Washington, and Winnebago.  State and local public health officials continue their monitoring for additional cases.

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Beef Advisory
On October 6, 2006, Jim’s Market and Locker, Inc. of Harlan, Iowa began voluntarily recalling approximately 5,226 pounds of ground beef that may be contaminated with E. coli O157:H7.  

Persons who have been infected with E. coli usually have severe diarrhea, which is often bloody, and severe abdominal cramps. Fever occurs in fewer than one-third of patients.  Illness often begins as non-bloody diarrhea but usually progresses to diarrhea with visible blood. Anyone with symptoms after consuming the product should see a physician, and have a stool sample collected for testing.

Note: 
There are currently no cases of botulism poisoning associated with this advisory in Wisconsin.

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Carrot Juice

While not associated with any E. coli 0157:H7 advisories or investigations, on September 29, 2006, an advisory by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration was issued for carrot juice (Exit DHFS) due to the threat of potential botulism poisoning.  Also, see FDA News Report 09/17/06 (Exit DHFS)

In response to a fourth case of botulism being linked to Bolthouse Farms (Bakersfield, California) brand carrot juice, the FDA is warning consumers not to drink Bolthouse Farms Carrot Juice, in 450 ml and 1 liter plastic bottles, with "BEST IF USED BY" dates of NOV 11 2006 or earlier. 

Note: There are currently no cases of botulism poisoning associated with this advisory in Wisconsin.

People with this product should contact their local health department and submit it for testing.  The FDA reminds people to keep carrot juice — including pasteurized carrot juice — refrigerated.

Foodborne botulism affects the nervous system. Symptoms are symmetric and often include blurred or double vision, drooping eyelids, difficulty swallowing, dry mouth, slurred speech, and muscle weakness. Fever is absent, unless there is a complicating infection. If untreated, these symptoms can progress to cause paralysis of the arms, legs, trunk and breathing muscles and death.  Anyone exhibiting these symptoms should contact a their health care provider.

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Lettuce
After learning that irrigation water may have been contaminated with E. coli bacteria, the Nunes Co. Inc. of Salinas, California has issued a voluntary recall of green leaf lettuce purchased in grocery stores October 3-6, 2006 in Arizona, California, Nevada, Washington, Oregon, Idaho and Montana. The lettuce of concern was also sold to distributors in those states who may have sold it to restaurants or institutions. FDA News Report 10-9-06 (Exit DHFS)

The recalled lettuce was packaged as "Green Leaf 24 Count, waxed carton," and "Green Leaf 18 Count, cellophane sleeve, returnable carton." Packaging is stamped with lot code 6SL0024.

Note:
There are currently no cases in Wisconsin or nationally that are linked to this recall of lettuce.   

People with this product should contact their local health department and submit it for testing.  

Persons who have been infected with E. coli usually have severe diarrhea, which is often bloody, and severe abdominal cramps. Fever occurs in fewer than one-third of patients.  Illness often begins as non-bloody diarrhea but usually progresses to diarrhea with visible blood.

Anyone with symptoms after consuming the product should see a physician, and have a stool sample collected for testing.

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Spinach Advisory
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has announced that all of the implicated spinach in the recent E. coli outbreak appears to have originated from within Salinas Valley, in California.  

The FDA has lifted its advisory on spinach consumption except for spinach grown in California. 
For specific lot numbers and product names (FDA) (Exit DHFS)

Media Release (09/27/06)   
E. Coli Strain in Wisconsin Matches National Cases (Exit DHFS)

Media Release (09/20/06)   
Wisconsin Grown Spinach Safe, Governor Announces (Exit DHFS)

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Outbreak Information
On September 14, 2006, the US Food and Drug Administration issued a national alert warning people not to eat bagged fresh spinach.  The Wisconsin Department of Health and Family Services is asking consumers with symptoms of E. coli to contact their health care provider immediately.  Symptoms include diarrhea, which is often bloody, and severe abdominal cramps.

Wisconsin is working closely with Federal agencies to identify brand names, stores, and possible purchase dates of the tainted spinach.

Background
A coordinated effort by Wisconsin local health departments, the Wisconsin State Laboratory of Hygiene, the Wisconsin Division of Public Health (DPH), and area health care providers helped to bring this national E. coli outbreak to light.

On September 5, 2006, the Wisconsin Division of Public Health was notified of several E. coli cases in different areas of the state.  By September 7, additional E. coli infection reports arrived at DPH, as well as a report of 5 individuals with Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome (HUS).  With this information, the DPH notified both the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Wisconsin State Laboratory of Hygiene regarding a possible E. coli outbreak.

By comparing Pulsed Field Gel Electrophoresis (PFGE) matches on E. coli isolates by the Wisconsin State Laboratory of Hygiene, the Division of Public Health was able to determine that there was indeed a statewide outbreak of E. coli infections.  

On September 8, The Wisconsin State Laboratory of Hygiene became the first state laboratory in the nation to post the "DNA fingerprint" of the suspect E. coli organism that has since been identified in at least 25 states.  Because of this posting, the CDC was able to link the E. coli bacteria strain in Wisconsin to strains found in patients in Oregon, and the nationwide outbreak investigation began.

Based on information obtained from patient interviews, DPH  believed that evidence was pointing towards bagged fresh spinach as the common source of the illness.  

CDC worked with the data provided to them by Wisconsin and other states, and during discussions between Wisconsin and the Oregon Health Department, a conclusion was drawn that a high likelihood existed that fresh spinach was the source of the E. coli infections.  On September 14, 2006, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued its first nationwide advisory on this outbreak.  

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Monkey Pox

In 2003, the Wisconsin Division of Public Health conducted an investigation of state residents who became ill after having contact with prairie dogs. The cases appeared in May and June of 2003, and symptoms in the human cases included: fever, cough, rash and swollen lymph nodes. CDC laboratory test results indicated that the cause of the human illness was Monkeypox, an orthopox virus that could be transmitted by prairie dogs.  Learn more.

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Last Revised: June 04, 2008