Wine Windows Remind Us Of The Need to Find Ways to Live with Contagious Organisms

An article in Decanter describers the return of wine windows....small windows in which drink was served to patrons during the times of the bubonic plague.  Now with COVID-19, there is a move to revive these wine windows.

Hopefully, this scourge. like the bubonic plague centuries ago, will pass.  But it is important that we learn how to live with it, because who knows whether the next contagion  will be right around the corner.  Or if it will be worse.   Hiding from it will only get us so far, but as we have seen with this virus, we can manage.  We need to accept the masks just as we accept wearing shoes or underwear.  Giving people some extra space is not a bad thing.  Minding our own health conditions with a nod towards staying home if not right is also good.   

A glass of Chianti please.

https://www.instagram.com/p/B_91BtNCQyh/?utm_source=ig_embed

Decanter
https://www.decanter.com/wine-news/wine-windows-italy-covid-19-442211/
Italian city reopens ancient ‘wine windows’ during Covid-19

FDA and CDC Update Cyclospora Outbreak Associated with Bagged Produce, Organism Found in Irrigation Water

FDA and CDC provided an update on the Cyclospora outbreak associated with produce items sold by Fresh Express.  The outbreak, centered in the upper midwest, now has 690 total illness and 37 hospitalizations.

In the investigation of farms, FDA did find the parasite in irrigation water samples taken near Port St. Lucia, FL.  "FDA investigated multiple farms identified in the traceback. In Florida, FDA analyzed water samples from two public access points along a regional water management canal (C-23), located west of Port St. Lucie, Florida. These samples tested positive for Cyclospora cayetanensis using FDA’s validated testing method."   

At this point, this may be as good as it gets for finding the source.  When in irrigation water, this can be a very difficult organism to control.

https://www.fda.gov/food/outbreaks-foodborne-illness/outbreak-investigation-cyclospora-bagged-salads-june-2020
Outbreak Investigation of Cyclospora: Bagged Salads (June 2020)

CDC reports additional cases. FDA finds Cyclospora in irrigation canal.

The FDA, along with CDC and state and local partners continue to investigate a multistate outbreak of Cyclospora infections potentially linked to salad products that were made by Fresh Express containing iceberg lettuce, red cabbage, and carrots and that were sold in several regions of the United States. The investigation includes Fresh Express branded products as well as products made by Fresh Express for retail store brands sold at ALDI, Giant Eagle, Hy-Vee, Jewel-Osco, ShopRite, and Walmart.

Case Counts
Total Illnesses: 690
Hospitalizations: 37
Deaths: 0
Illness Onset Date Range: 5/11/2020 – 7/20/2020
States with Cases: GA (1), IA (206), IL (209), KS (5), MA (1), MN (86), MO (57), NE (55), ND (6), OH (4), PA (2), SD (13), WI (45)