The FDA is investigating two new outbreaks, one from Salmonella Newport and the other from Cryptosporidium.
According to the outbreak announcements, the agency has not yet determined the source of the bacteria.
Food and Drug Administration officials have not revealed where the patients infected with Salmonella Newport live. Nor have they indicated what food or foods are being traced, though they have reported that traceback efforts have begun. So far, there are eight confirmed patients in the outbreak, which is ongoing.
“While the investigation is ongoing to determine what product made people sick, the outbreak appears to be over, and there is likely no ongoing risk to consumers. Additional information will be provided as it becomes available,” according to the outbreak notice from the FDA.
For the outbreak of Cryptosporidium, the FDA is reporting there are 11 patients, all from Minnesota. The FDA is assisting the Minnesota Department of Health and the Minnesota Department of Agriculture in the outbreak investigation. Traceback efforts have begun, but the FDA is not reporting what food or foods are being traced.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Cryptosporidiosis is a disease that causes watery diarrhea. It is caused by microscopic germs — parasites called Cryptosporidium. Cryptosporidium, or “Crypto” for short, can be found in water, food, soil, surfaces, or dirty hands contaminated with the feces of humans or animals infected with the parasite. Minute amounts of feces not detectable by the human eye can cause infections.
Testing is the only way to diagnose infection by the parasite as its symptoms can mimic other diseases. Symptoms of Crypto generally begin 2 to 10 days after becoming infected with the parasite. Symptoms include watery diarrhea, stomach cramps or pain, dehydration, nausea, vomiting, fever, and weight loss.
The disease is diagnosed by examining stool samples. People infected with Crypto can shed the parasite irregularly in their poop; for example, one day, they shed the parasite; the next day, they don’t; the third day, they do. Consequently, patients may need to give three samples collected on three different days to help make sure that a negative test result is accurate. Healthcare providers should specifically request testing for Crypto. Routine ova and parasite testing does not normally include Crypto testing.
Symptoms usually last about 1 to 2 weeks, ranging from a few days to 4 or more weeks in people with healthy immune systems. Some people require treatment with antibiotics to recover.
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