Top in ID: One dead, more sick from E. coli outbreak; first US case of clade I mpox
After consuming organic carrots infected with Escherichia coli, one person has died and 15 people have been hospitalized in a multistate outbreak of the disease.
According to the CDC, there have been 39 cases of E. coli in 18 states as of November 18. Investigators revealed that the outbreak was linked to a variety of carrot products sold by Grimmway Farms. The company has since recalled the products, which were sold by major brands including Nature’s Promise, Simple Truth, Trader Joes and Wegmans.
Individuals with recalled carrots should either throw them out or return them to the store where purchased, the CDC advised.
It was the top story in infectious disease last week.
In another top story, the California Department of Public Health confirmed that an individual returning from travel in Eastern Africa has been diagnosed with clade I mpox, historically a more transmissible and deadly strain of the virus. This is the first confirmed U.S. case of clade I mpox, according to health officials.
Read these and more top stories in infectious disease below:
CDC: 1 dead in multistate outbreak of E. coli linked to organic carrots
One person has died and 15 have been hospitalized in a multistate outbreak of Escherichia coli linked to consuming organic carrots, the CDC announced. Read more.
First US case of clade I mpox reported in California
The first known U.S. case of an mpox clade that has historically been more transmissible and deadly was detected in California in a person who had recently returned from travel to Eastern Africa, according to health officials. Read more.
Task force recommends screening all pregnant people for syphilis
The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force released a draft recommendation encouraging physicians to screen for syphilis in people who are pregnant as early as possible. Read more.
Study provides more positive data for Paxlovid use in high-risk patients with COVID-19
Treatment with Paxlovid significantly reduced the duration and severity of SARS-CoV-2 infection among high-risk patients while also reducing health care utilization and severe outcomes, according to study results. Read more.
Vaccine coverage for COVID-19, flu and RSV up from last year
More U.S. adults this year have been vaccinated against COVID-19, influenza and respiratory syncytial virus compared with last year, although uptake of the vaccines remains low, researchers reported. Read more.