Publications by authors named "Laura Whitlock"

The objective of this study was to determine sources of Shiga toxin-producing O157 (STEC O157) infection among visitors to Farm X and develop public health recommendations. A case-control study was conducted. Case-patients were defined as the first ill child (aged <18 years) in the household with laboratory-confirmed STEC O157, or physician-diagnosed hemolytic uremic syndrome with laboratory confirmation by serology, who visited Farm X in the 10 days prior to illness.

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Many efforts across the farm-to-fork continuum aim to reduce foodborne disease and outbreaks. Real-time risk communication is an important component of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) efforts, especially during outbreaks. To inform risk communication with the public during multistate foodborne outbreaks, we conducted a series of focus groups of adults in the Washington, D.

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Problem/condition: Salmonella, Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC), and Listeria monocytogenes are the leading causes of multistate foodborne disease outbreaks in the United States. Responding to multistate outbreaks quickly and effectively and applying lessons learned about outbreak sources, modes of transmission, and risk factors for infection can prevent additional outbreak-associated illnesses and save lives. This report summarizes the investigations of multistate outbreaks and possible outbreaks of Salmonella, STEC, and L.

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Article Synopsis
  • The 2018 outbreak of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) in New Jersey and Pennsylvania was linked to a restaurant chain and prompted a national investigation by the CDC following reports of multiple infections.
  • A total of 240 cases were identified across 37 states, with 104 patients hospitalized and 5 fatalities, most of whom had consumed romaine lettuce shortly before falling ill.
  • The investigation traced the contaminated lettuce back to distributors in the Yuma growing region, highlighting the challenges of managing foodborne illness outbreaks caused by environmental contamination.
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Unpasteurized milk can contain harmful bacteria such as Listeria monocytogenes. In 2016, the US Food and Drug Administration notified the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Atlanta, GA) that L. monocytogenes isolated from unpasteurized chocolate milk from a Pennsylvania dairy was closely related, by whole-genome sequencing, to L.

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We describe two outbreaks of multidrug-resistant (MDR) I 4,[5],12:i:- infection, occurring in 2015 to 2016, linked to pork products, including whole roaster pigs sold raw from a single Washington slaughter and processing facility (establishment A). Food histories from 80 ill persons were compared with food histories reported in the FoodNet 2006 to 2007 survey of healthy persons from all 10 U.S.

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We investigated an outbreak of listeriosis detected by whole-genome multilocus sequence typing and associated with packaged leafy green salads. Nineteen cases were identified in the United States during July 5, 2015-January 31, 2016; isolates from case-patients were closely related (median difference 3 alleles, range 0-16 alleles). Of 16 case-patients interviewed, all reported salad consumption.

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Campylobacter causes an estimated 1.3 million diarrheal illnesses in the United States annually (1). In August 2017, the Florida Department of Health notified CDC of six Campylobacter jejuni infections linked to company A, a national pet store chain based in Ohio.

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The number of outbreaks of Salmonella infections linked to live poultry contact increased from 1990 to 2016. In 2016, the number of human illnesses linked to live poultry was the highest reported, with more than 900 cases, including 209 hospitalizations and three deaths. Live poultry harboring Salmonella typically appear healthy but can intermittently shed bacteria in their droppings, contaminating their feathers, beaks, and the areas where they live and roam.

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In January 2017, CDC identified a cluster of Salmonella enterica serotype Newport infections with isolates sharing an indistinguishable pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) pattern, JJPX01.0010 (pattern 10), through PulseNet, the national molecular subtyping network for foodborne disease surveillance. This report summarizes the investigation by CDC, state and local health and agriculture departments, and the U.

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Article Synopsis
  • - In 2016, an outbreak of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) infections linked to contaminated flour led to an investigation that identified 56 cases across 24 states.
  • - The study showed a significant association between the outbreak and a specific brand of flour, as well as the consumption of unbaked dough, with high odds ratios indicating a strong link.
  • - Laboratory tests confirmed the presence of outbreak strains in flour samples, and whole-genome sequencing connected the clinical and food samples to a single flour production facility, highlighting the risk of raw flour as a source of foodborne illness.
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Once an older adult develops type 2 diabetes, they often need to change their diet as part of the treatment. We report differences in dietary barriers and strategies to overcome them in 17 older adults without type 2. Data were gathered through 24-hour diet recalls, collected barriers and strategies in changing diet, and the health locus of control scales.

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