Building the Future of Biodefense

Recommendation: Raw oysters can be contaminated with germs at any time of year. Organizations may want to reconsider selling or serving raw oyster products in the US while a multi-state Salmonella outbreak investigation is ongoing. Anyone with raw oysters at their workplace or home should either dispose of them or cook them thoroughly before eating them. People at high risk of Salmonella-related complications may wish to avoid eating all raw oyster products while this investigation is ongoing.

Situation: The US CDC reported an outbreak of Salmonella linked to raw oysters that sickened 64 people in 22 states, with 20 hospitalizations reported and no deaths. Of the 27 people interviewed so far, 20 (74%) reported eating raw oysters. Health officials stated that hospitalization rates are higher than typically seen in Salmonella outbreaks linked to oysters. The investigation is ongoing to determine a possible common source, though no recall has been issued so far. [Confidence: Very High]

Recommendation: China reports avian influenza H9N2 human cases sporadically. Historically, the risk of an outbreak has been extremely low since human-to-human transmission does not usually occur. Employees in or traveling to China should avoid live-animal markets and not have contact with or consume diseased poultry.

Situation: Hong Kong health officials reported 3 new H9N2 human cases in mainland China. The 3 cases, which were detected in Guangdong, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, and Hubei, all reported a symptom onset in November. Mainland China previously recorded 15 H9N2 cases and no deaths in the past 6 months. [Confidence: Very High]

Recommendation: Organizations in Canada should not sell or serve recalled Pillsbury brand Pizza Pop products while a multi-province E.coli outbreak investigation is ongoing. Anyone with this product at their workplace or home should dispose of it, including products that are not easily identifiable. People at high risk of E.coli-related complications may wish to avoid all Pillsbury brand Pizza Pop products while this investigation is ongoing.

Situation: Canada reported an E.coli O26:H11 outbreak linked to Pillsbury brand Pizza Pops this week. 20 cases were confirmed across 5 provinces from early October to late November, of which several individuals reported consuming Pizza Pops. 4 individuals were hospitalized, and there have been no deaths yet. Health officials estimated that the number of affected individuals is likely higher, estimating that for every 1 E.coli non-O157 case reported, there are 32 more cases that are not reported. Food recalls were announced for several Pillsbury brand Pizza Pops products, including Pepperoni + Bacon (30 pizza snacks), Pepperoni + Bacon (8 pizza snacks), Supremo Extreme Pepperoni + Bacon (30 pizza snacks), and FRANK's RedHot Pepperoni + Bacon (4 pizza snacks). See the linked source for full details on recalled products. Consumers were advised to discard or return any recalled products, particularly any products remaining in refrigerators or freezers. The investigation is ongoing. [Confidence: Very High]

Recommendation: Several countries in the Americas region are endemic for hantavirus. Hantavirus infections can cause hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS) or hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS). HPS is more common in the Americas, while HFRS is typically found in Europe and Asia. Organizations in countries that are endemic for hantavirus should take measures to ensure rodent-free facilities. Rodent droppings should be cleaned with bleach; wet the soiled area with bleach before wiping up droppings to limit infectious aerosol generation. Employees should always wear gloves and N95 (or equivalent) masks when handling rodents or their droppings.

Situation: PAHO issued an epidemiological alert due to an increase in hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS) cases across the Americas this year. 229 confirmed HPS cases, including 59 deaths, were reported across 8 countries, resulting in a regional case fatality rate of 26%. Most of the region's HPS cases were detected in Argentina, which confirmed 66 cases. Bolivia and Paraguay both reported higher numbers of cases compared to previous years. In Paraguay, more than half of the country's 27 HPS cases were linked to an outbreak associated with occupational exposure to road activities in Mariscal Estiparribia. Increased HPS lethality was observed in Argentina and Brazil compared to previous hantavirus seasons, with case fatality rates of 32% (compared to the previous 4-year average of 15%) and 55% (30%), respectively. [Confidence: Very High]