Posted on January 13, 2018 in Food borne illness

A recent study published in the Journal of the American Medical Informatics Association illustrated how restaurant review website Yelp helped the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene uncover 10 food poisoning outbreaks between 2012 and 2017. The researchers who conducted the study used a computer program that scanned Yelp reviews for specific food poisoning-related keywords like “vomit” and “sick.” After successfully uncovering local outbreaks through the program, the researchers hope to use it to track foodborne illnesses in other cities.

Studying How User Reviews can be Used to Trace Outbreaks

The researchers followed up with many of the reviewers about their symptoms, which items they consumed, and whether their dining companions became ill as well. In doing so, they tracked a few outbreaks that were not reported to health authorities. It is not uncommon for an individual to simply let his or her illness run its course, especially if the illness does not require the victim to receive medical attention.

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 Posted on January 06, 2018 in Food poisoning attorney

After an E.Coli outbreak left 40 people sick and one dead across Canada, it came to the United States, and since November of 2017, it has resulted in 17 recorded cases of food poisoning. Among these cases, five victims were hospitalized, two of whom developed hemolytic uremic syndrome. One of the hospitalized victims died as a result of the illness. The cases in the United States were primarily concentrated in the Northeast, but did include reports from across the nation.

Although the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has not confirmed a specific source of the E.Coli bacteria, Consumer Reports magazine is warning Americans to avoid consuming romaine lettuce until the outbreak is traced to a definitive source. 41 of the reported cases in Canada were linked to consuming romaine lettuce, and the bacteria found causing the illnesses in the United States is genetically similar to the type of E.Coli linked to the illnesses reported in Canada.

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 Posted on December 31, 2017 in Food Poisoning

Segways have been a common sight in malls and among city touring groups since their debut in 2001. Although the Segway's creator hoped to fundamentally change the way we travel, potentially replacing the motor vehicle and altering pedestrian traffic, it never reached this level of influence. It was, however, adopted by many companies and organizations for use by security guards, police officers, and tour group leaders and participants.

Segways, like any other type of vehicle, can be dangerous. A Segway's top speed is 12 miles per hour, and when ridden on a sidewalk among bicyclists and pedestrians, a fast, bulky Segway can cause a collision that results in injury. They are also at risk of mechanical failures just like any other mechanical or electronic product. When an individual is injured in a Segway accident that could have been prevented through better care on another party's part, he or she can file a personal injury claim to seek compensation for his or her related damages. The type of personal injury claim the individual files depends on the nature of the incident. It could be a premises liability claim, a product liability claim, or a simple claim based on negligence.

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 Posted on December 24, 2017 in Food poisoning attorney

Make 2018 a year about focusing on your health. There is more to a healthy lifestyle than simply eating a balanced diet and exercising; being in tune with your body to determine when something is wrong can make it easier and faster for you to get the medical care you need when you need it.

One way to protect your health and your family's health is to educate yourself about food poisoning, its symptoms, its treatment, and its prevention. Incorporate the following guidelines into your day-to-day life this year to make it one of your healthiest yet.

Practice Safe Food Handling Procedures

One of the key tenets of safe food handling is keeping food out of the danger zone, 40 to 140 degrees Fahrenheit. It is important that foods be kept out of this temperature range because it is where harmful bacteria can develop. Ways to keep food out of the danger zone include:

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 Posted on December 16, 2017 in Food borne illness

In December of 2017, French baby formula manufacturer Lactalis and the French government worked in tandem to oversee a global recall of various products sold in countries around the world. The products, which number in the millions of units sold, could potentially be contaminated with salmonella. The products were recalled across continents after 26 infants reportedly fell sick since December 1, 2017. There were no reported illnesses in the United States, nor were the products sold in the United States affected by the recall.

Salmonella is a dangerous type of food poisoning, especially when the victim is a young child or has a compromised immune system. It can be found in many different types of contaminated food and can also be transmitted through contaminated water.

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 Posted on November 12, 2017 in Food poisoning attorney

Since August 1, 2016, close to 500 cases of Hepatitis A were reported in Southeast Michigan. Among these cases, 19 resulted in the victim's death.

Hepatitis A is a type of food poisoning that can be spread through contaminated food or water or contact with an individual infected by the virus. Like other types of food poisoning, Hepatitis A can have serious side effects and become dangerous for a patient if he or she does not receive prompt medical care for the condition.

How is Hepatitis A Spread?

Hepatitis A can be spread in many different ways. One of these is contaminated food or water. A few specific sources of Hepatitis A include:

• Shellfish from water where the virus was present;
• Produce that was not washed after being handled by an individual contaminated with Hepatitis A; and

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 Posted on October 14, 2017 in Food Poisoning

A heater-cooler is a device placed inside a patient's body during surgery to keep his or her body temperature at a consistent, safe level. They are most commonly used in surgeries on the heart or lungs. The devices control patients' temperatures by moving water through a small unit where it is air-cooled to an appropriate temperature.

There have been numerous class action lawsuits filed against LivaNova PLC, the manufacturer of 3T heater-coolers. This specific brand of heater-coolers has been linked to illnesses associated with bacterial contamination in patients. When a patient suffers a worsened health condition because of a defective medical device, he or she can seek compensation for his or her related damages through a defective medical device claim.

Issues that Can Arise with Heater-Coolers

A heater-cooler works by cycling water through a temperature control tank. When the water completes its cycle, it is released into the air as water vapor. When water is contaminated with harmful bacteria, it poses a serious threat of infection to patients with weakened immune systems.

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 Posted on September 30, 2017 in Food poisoning attorney

Escherichia coli, commonly known as E. coli, is the cause of approximately 85% of urinary tract infections (UTIs). E. coli can develop in raw produce, unpasteurized fruit juice, raw and undercooked beef, and contaminated water. In most cases, individuals with healthy immune systems do not experience negative symptoms when exposed to E. coli. If an individual has a weakened immune system, he or she can become ill from E. coli exposure. One of the ways a victim can suffer from this type of food poisoning is a UTI.

UTI Symptoms

Symptoms of a UTI include:

• Cloudy urine;
• Blood in the urine, which can cause it to appear red or brown;
• An unusually foul smell to the urine;

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 Posted on September 24, 2017 in E. Coli

Currently, the La Crosse County Health Department is investigating eight reported cases of E.Coli poisoning. This specific strain is known to cause diarrhea in victims and can send young children to the hospital. It has not yet been linked to any specific food item or retailer.

Many Americans associate E.Coli with the Jack in the Box outbreak in the 1990s. It can develop in beef, as it did during that outbreak, and it can also develop in produce like spinach, kale, and sprouts as well as unpasteurized milk. Food poisoning can have severe symptoms for victims. It can also be preventable, containable, and most importantly, curable.

Ways to Prevent the Spread of E.Coli

E.Coli can be spread through unsanitary food handling and storage procedures. Regardless of the perceived E.Coli risk, it is important for all food handlers to take special precaution to wash their hands frequently and avoid cross contamination by using separate utensils, cutting boards, and storage containers for food.

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 Posted on September 18, 2017 in Salmonella

As of September 1, 2017, the deadly Salmonella outbreak currently sweeping our nation has impacted more than 200 victims in 23 states. 65 people have been hospitalized due to illness related to the outbreak and one victim from New York City has died.

This food poisoning outbreak involved four strains of Salmonella: Salmonella Thompson, Salmonella Kiambu, Salmonella Agona, and Salmonella Gaminara. Salmonella Thompson is by far the most prevalent of the strains; it was cited in 131 of the reported cases. Although Salmonella poisoning symptoms generally resolve themselves within a few days, they can require medical care in certain cases. When a victim does not receive the medical care he or she needs, he or she can die.

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