Ground Tuna Linked to Salmonella Paratyphi Outbreak

An investigation of an outbreak of Salmonella Paratyphi B has been linked to ground tuna used in sushi type products.  In this outbreak, 53 people from nine states have become ill.

In 2012, ground tuna used in sushi was the source of Salmonella that infected 150 people.

Is there a difference in ground tuna?  Certainly the grinding step can be a point of proliferation and dissemination through product.  Another issue may be that for the ground product, they are using small scraps that may not have been handled in a sanitary manner.

While I like sushi, I will be adding ground tuna products to the 'avoid' list.

CDC Notice

http://www.cdc.gov/salmonella/paratyphi-b-05-15/index.html

Multistate Outbreak of Salmonella Paratyphi B variant L(+) tartrate(+) Infections

 

Highlights

Read the Advice to Restaurants, Retailers, and Consumers »(http://www.cdc.gov/salmonella/paratyphi-b-05-15/advice.html)

As of June 4, 2015, a total of 53 people infected with the outbreak strain of Salmonella Paratyphi B variant L(+) tartrate(+) have been reported from nine states. Ten ill people have been hospitalized. No deaths have been reported.

• This outbreak is caused by Salmonella Paratyphi B variant L(+) tartrate(+) bacteria, formally known as Salmonella Java.
• The illness caused by this bacteria typically includes diarrhea, fever, and abdominal cramps 12-72 hours after an exposure. Salmonella Paratyphi B variant L(+) tartrate(+) does not cause paratyphoid fever, enteric fever, or typhoid fever.
• Most ill people in the outbreak reported eating sushi made with raw tuna in the week before becoming ill.

• At this time, a common brand or supplier of raw tuna linked to illnesses has not been identified by ongoing traceback.
• As a result of the ongoing investigation, the Maricopa County Environmental Services Department working with the Arizona State Public Health Laboratory identified Salmonella Newport in one sample and Salmonella Weltevreden in another sample of frozen raw ground tuna products.
• The unopened frozen ground tuna products represented two different lots of product imported from Indonesia by Osamu Corporation of Gardena, California.
• On May 27, Osamu Corporation recalled[PDF- 1 page] the two lots of ground frozen yellowfin tuna imported from Indonesia due to possible Salmonella contamination.
• A search of the PulseNet database did not identify any known human illnesses linked to the recall.
• Restaurants and retailers should not sell or serve recalled[PDF- 1 page ground frozen yellowfin tuna imported from Indonesia by Osamu Corporation.

People at higher risk for serious foodborne illness should not eat any raw fish or raw shellfish, regardless of an ongoing outbreak. These groups include:

• Children younger than 5 years
• Adults older than 65
• Pregnant women
• People with weakened immune systems.