Papua New Guinea-Cholera, diarrhea(Madang)
02 Nov 2009
The National [edited][ProMed]
More than 190 people have been affected by acute watery dysentery while another 8 people, including a child, have been confirmed infected with cholera in Madang province.
It was reported that Provincial health coordinator, Markus Katchau, yesterday [1 Nov 2009] declared a dysentery and cholera outbreak in the province during a press conference attended by provincial health authorities and partners. The official said that out of the 15 stool samples sent for laboratory testing, 8 had presumptive evidence of cholera. He said he had also received reports that 17 people in the Usino-Bundi electorate were admitted and treated at different health facilities in the district, while other districts in the province were taking precautionary measures.
It was reported that 14 people believed to be students had been diagnosed with acute watery dysentery while another 3 were also diagnosed at a sub-health centre. One died while another was referred to Lae's Angau Hospital.

October

Papua New Guinea-Cholera(Morobe)
19 Oct 2009
Radio New Zealand [edited][ProMed]
Lae city in Papua New Guinea's Morobe Province has again been put on red alert after 6 people were admitted to the cholera treatment center in a single day late last week. The National newspaper reports that on Thursday, 15 Oct 2009, 6 people were reported to have gone to the centre with symptoms of cholera. Another person was admitted on Friday, 16 Oct 2009.

CHINA:26 hospitalized in suspected food poisoning in Shanghai
18.oct.09
CriEnglish [edited][FSNet]
Qin Mei
Twenty-six people were hospitalized after they ate food at a delicatessen Saturday in Shanghai, local authority said.
A total of 26 people were sent to the hospital Saturday after they ate food at a delicatessen in Pudong District. They have shown symptoms of nauseation, vomiting and rapid heartbeat, a Pudong District health department official said.
They were diagnosed with nitrite poisoning, according to the hospital.
One person died in the hospital and 10 people are still receiving treatment there.

New Zealand:Stolen butter unsafe to eat - police
14.oct.09
NZPA [edited] [FSNet]
A bulk load of butter stolen from Hawke's Bay industrial park containsListeriaand is not fit to be eaten, police have warned.
Thieves broke into the former Whakatu freezing works site between Hastings and Napier on Sunday and took four cartons containing four 2.5kg blocks of butter, an official was quoted as saying.

Australia-Health officer issues Hepatitis A warning
09 Oct 2009
Sydney Morning Herald [edited]
Semi-dried tomatoes have been linked to several cases of people being diagnosed with hepatitis A in Victoria this week. Victoria's chief health officer issued a warning on Friday evening [9 Oct 2009] advising people to avoid eating semi-dried tomatoes unless they are thoroughly cooked. The official said the recent spike in cases follows an increase in May [2009] of hepatitis A cases in Victoria and South Australia. The Department of Health and Human Services has received 12 hepatitis A
notifications this week and several people infected have reported eating semi-dried tomatoes.
Hepatitis A [virus infection] is spread when traces of faecal matter containing the virus contaminates the hands, objects, water or food and is then taken in by the mouth. Symptoms of the disease include abdominal pain, nausea, fever, chills and jaundice.
Related stories
09 Oct 2009-Health officer issues Hep A warning
The Age [edited][FSNet]

September

China-Food poisoning sickens 76 at kindergarten
29 Sep 2009
Associated Press [edited][FSNet]
Food poisoning sickened 76 students and teachers at a kindergarten in northern China, state media reported Tuesday.
The students and teachers at a kindergarten in Inner Mongolia's city of Baotou suffered fever and vomiting after lunching at the school last week, and were treated at a local hospital, the official Xinhua News Agency was reported as saying.
Such cases are common in China due to lax food safety standards and shoddy food preparation. The cause of the latest case was not known.

Taiwan-Students remain hospitalized in possible food poisoning case
28 Sep 2009
Taiwan News [edited][FSNet]
Nearly 100 elementary school students in Taichung City and County remained hospitalized Monday after falling ill Friday afternoon with symptoms suggesting food poisoning, said Taichung City Public Health Bureau officials.
Soon after eating lunch boxes provided by an outside contractor, students at Tanyang and Rueisuei elementary schools in Taichung County and Ssu Chang Li Elementary School in Taichung City were taken to the hospital with fevers, bellyaches, and diarrhea, all signs of food poisoning, the officials said.
The bureau has begun laboratory tests on samples from 57 of the hospitalized students to determine the source of their discomfort, and the results are expected to be available within a week.

Hong Kong-A case of suspected food poisoning under investigation
27 Sep 2009
HKSAR Government [edited][FSNet]
The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is investigating a case of suspected food poisoning involving 12 people and reminded members of the public to observe good personal, food and environmental hygiene to prevent food-borne diseases. The affected people, six males and six females aged between 17 and 60, attended a banquet in a restaurant in Causeway Bay on September 25. They developed abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and fever three to 21 hours after the banquet.
Nine of them sought medical treatment. Hospitalization is not required. Investigation is ongoing.

Australia-Salmonellosis
16 Sep 2009
Fresh Plaza, The Sydney Morning Herald report [edited][ProMed]
West Australians have been warned to thoroughly wash papaya following several cases of foodborne illness, including one in which a person required hospital treatment.
The WA Department of Health issued a statement on Tuesday [15 Sep 2009] saying 7 cases of salmonellosis linked to the tropical fruit had been uncovered over the past 6 weeks.

Singapore-Diarrhea
10 Sep 2009
Xinhua News Agency [edited][ProMed]
Singapore has seen a 50 percent increase in diarrhea cases at local polyclinics in the past week, local media reported on Thu 10 Sep 2009. The country's 18 polyclinics, which are government-owned clinics, treated 2990 patients for acute diarrhea last week [week of 1 Sep 2009], or about 50 percent more than the weekly average of 2072 cases, local newspaper the Straits Times reported.
When polyclinics see more than 2668 cases a week, it is considered an epidemic. The last time such an outbreak happened was 2 years ago. Doctors who have seen many more cases than usual in the last 2 weeks, said it appears to be highly contagious.

China-300 people ill in suspected food poisoning in E. China city
09 Sep 2009
Xinhua News Agency [edited][FSNet]
More than 300 employees of a pipe manufacturing company are suspected victims of food poisoning in an east China city Wednesday, local authorities said.
The initial investigation showed that the unsanitary conditions in the company's canteen caused the suspected food poisoning, the official said.

Japan:All 187 pepper lunch restaurants closed after food poisoning
07 Sep 2009
Japan Today [edited][FSNet]
A company said Monday it has closed all of its 187 steakhouses in Japan the same day after at least 11 customers developed food poisoning. The company, which runs 231 restaurants in Japan including steakhouses and others such as those that specialize in fried pork cutlet dishes, said it plans to clean each outlet and ensure hygiene controls are in place.
A total of 11 customers became ill from the O-157 strain ofE. colibacteria after eating diced beefsteak at steak restaurants in seven prefectures including Tokyo, Osaka and Kyoto, according to the restaurant chain operator and local governments.

August

Vietnam-Tea additive contains acids, says Hanoi health officials
27 Aug 2009
Saigon Giai Phong (SGGP) Daily [edited][ProMed]
Health inspectors in Hanoi have found dangerous substances in tapioca pearl, a substance used to make pearl milk tea, a popular drink among young people.
The city Department of Health told the media on [26 Aug 2009] that its inspectors took samples from a shop selling it and found them containing 1.6 to 2.6 times the benzoic and sorbic acids --preservatives -- permitted by the Ministry of Health.
They also took samples of tapioca pearl imported from China from another shop and found them to contain 1.5 times the permitted acid content and 4.9 times the permitted saccharin content.

China-200 Shanxi villagers suffer food poisoning at festival
20 Aug 2009
Shanghai Daily [edited][FSNet]
More than 200 villagers in Pingyao County of north China's Shanxi Province have got food poisoning during a traditional festival.
They are being treated in local hospitals and none are critical, sources reported today.
Local health authority's investigation found they got sick from home-made meals or meat products bought at local food stands.
The county health bureau was alerted to the mass food poisoning yesterday by the hospital where more than 60 villagers visited after complaining of stomach aches and vomitting that morning.

Australia-Health bean has one problem: it kills, says authorities
02 Aug 2009
Brisbane Times [edited]
A bean that is finding popularity because of its low GI properties can be deadly if not prepared in the correct way, authorities have warned. Lupins, which come in bitter and sweet varieties, are being added to products like bread to lower its rating on the glycemic index and in sausages to reduce fat. They can also be eaten raw as a snack, but doctors say they must be treated 1st to remove dangerous levels of a toxic alkaloid.
The warning comes after 2 women were taken to a Western Australia (WA) hospital after being inadvertently poisoned by the beans. They suffered blurred vision, light-headedness, lethargy and had difficultly walking.
An investigation revealed a quantity of bitter lupins had been milled into flour to meet a local shortage in supply. It was onsold to stores, but it contained 1000 times the alkaloid level permitted for flour.

July

Malaysia:24 pupils down with food poisoning
20 Jul 2009
Bernama [edited][FSNet]
Twenty-four pupils on Monday were rushed to the hospital after experiencing stomach-ache and diarrhea.
The school's senior assistant said the pupils, aged between 9 and 12, were believed to have had food poisoning after eating chlorine-tainted nasi lemak and chicken rice at the school canteen.
Related Stories
26 Jul 2009-23 pupils down with food poisoning
Daily Express [edited][FSNet]
Twenty-three Year Six pupils, mostly girls, were rushed to the hospital, for suspected food poisoning, Saturday evening.
The victims were part of some Year Six 100 pupils taking part in a camping program organized by SK Sri Gaya within its premise since Friday.
Their teachers rushed them to the hospital in four vehicles at about 6pm, for treatment.

Vietnam:Goat penis bacteria adds to food safety scare
16 Jul 2009
Thanh Nien Daily [edited][FSNet]
Ho Chi Minh City destroyed nearly 1.5 tons of goat penis contaminated with bacteria Wednesday in the latest chapter of Vietnam’s food safety saga, which has seen putrid pork and rotten beef flood local markets.
On Sunday, district inspectors found large quantities of the product had been imported from Australia.
The shipments were labeled as inedible and not for human use.
The chief inspector of the HCMC Animal Health Agency, said the products were contaminated with bacteria, includingSalmonellaandE. coli, and also failed to meet other food safety criteria.
However, inspectors said 47 of the 72 boxes imported had been sold as food. The inspectors issued fines against the company for trading animal products contaminated with bacteria.

Hong Kong:13 ill in suspected food-poisoning cases
07 Jul 2009
news.gov.hk [edited][FSNet]
The Centre for Health Protection is investigating two suspected food poisoning cases involving 13 people who ate at two restaurants belonging to the same group.
Two men and a woman aged 32 to 60 dined at a Jordan restaurant on July 5. They came down with food poisoning symptoms 22 to 26.5 hours afterwards, and two sought medical treatment.
On the same day, four men and six women aged 13 to 76 ate at a restaurant. They had similar symptoms 12 to 28 hours after the meal. Two consulted private doctors.
All the patients are now in stable condition.

Malaysia:40 pupils down with food poisoning
06 Jul 2009
BRNAMA [edited] [ProMed]
Forty students of Sekolah Kebangsaan Sungai Pusu, Gombak, near here came down with food poisoning Monday after having nasi lemak for breakfast at the school's canteen.
The Year Four students complained of stomach ache and vomiting after having the meal during their morning break.
The president of the schools PTA said the affected students were rushed to the Orang Asli Affairs Department hospital nearby and all were released after being given outpatient treatment.

China-200 College Students Recover from Diarrhea in NW China
02 Jul 2009
Xinhua News Agency [edited][FSNet]
A total of 204 university students in northwest China's Shaanxi Province have recovered from diarrhea caused by unknown reasons as of Thursday.
The students at the Weishui campus of Chang'an University in Xi'an, the provincial capital, had fallen ill with diarrhea, headache and nausea since late June, sources with the university said.
Most of the cases, scattered across the campus, have recovered shortly after medical treatment. Only 21 are still receiving medical treatment.
An expert was quoted as saying the illness might be caused by the meals the students had outside the campus in the hot weather.
The local health authorities have ruled out the possibility that the illnesses were caused by tainted water and food poisoning.

June

Vietnam-Tuna lunch sends 30 more workers to hospital with food poisoning
28 Jun 2009
Thanh Nien Daily [edited] [FSNet]
A group of 30 workers at Tan Duong Company in Ho Chi Minh City’s Binh Chanh District were hospitalized for food poisoning Saturday evening after eating tuna.
This comes after the municipal Department of Health confirmed last week that spoiled tuna had been a major cause of the food poisoning suffered by nearly 500 workers in Ho Chi Minh City between June 11-13.
The Tan Duong Company workers had been served a company lunch of tuna with pineapple, sautéed cucumber and soup before getting sick. A separate group of workers at the company had eaten meat served with egg, sautéed cucumber and soup cooked in the same kitchen, but had not gotten sick.

Philippines:50 village chiefs food poisoned in Palawan
25 June 2009
Philstar.com [edited] [FSNet]
Around 50 village chiefs from Cabanatuan City, Nueva Ecija, were hospitalized in Palawan due to food poisoning, a radio report said today.
The village officials were rushed to the hospital before midnight after experiencing severe stomachache. They reportedly had dinner at a restaurant along Rizal Avenue in Puerto Princesa City before the incident.
A total of 190 village chiefs from Cabanatuan went to Palawan for an educational trip, the report added.

New Zealand:Stomach bug turns cruise into nightmare
25 Jun 2009
ONE News [edited] [FSNet]
A mid-winter cruise in the sun turned nasty for passengers on board a cruise ship, which arrived back in Auckland on Thursday morning.
More than 200 of the 1900 people on board the ship came down with the gastro-intestinal norovirus bug during the three-week cruise.
Passengers leaving the ship said they were relieved to be back on dry land after days quarantined in their cabins - some for as long as eight days.
Most say they had a great trip but some of those quarantined were less than impressed with the care they received.

China-Children stable after food poisining case at China kindergarten
22 June 2009
Xinhua News Agency [edited] [FSNet]
Health authorities said 61 children in central China's Henan Province were still being treated or observed at a hospital Monday afternoon, following an apparent case of bacterial food poisoning at the Zhoukou Experimental Kindergarten.
The children ate noodles, porridge and yogurt Friday.
As of 3 p.m., 21 students were being treated and 40 were being observed in a hospital in Zhoukou City, doctors told Xinhua.
All were in stable condition, and the lab result was due in four days, said Zhou Yong, a spokesman with the provincial public health bureau.
Initial investigation showed that the children were sickened by bacterial food poisoning.

Vietnam:Rotten tuna causes recent food poisoning
21 Jun 2009
SGGP English Edition [edited] [translated] [FSNet]
Rotten tuna was the cause of food poisoning that struck down hundreds of workers between June 11 and 13, Ho Chi Minh City’s Health Department said on June 20.
The department collected food samples from the companies to test immediately after workers got food poisoning.
According to the department, during the recent hot weather quality of tuna worsened and histamine in the tuna was created, causing severe physical reactions in people.
A large amount of histamine could be poisonous, the department said.
Although the department warned people that tuna caused food poisoning, city shoppers continued to buy cheap local tuna.
On June 20, after eating lunch more than 80 workers at Ha Yen Co Ltd in My Tho City, Tien Giang Province, were hospitalized with skin rashes, stomach pains and dizziness. The workers said they had eaten tuna with bamboo.
Related Stories:
22 Jun 2009-Scrombroid poisoning, tuna
VietNamNet [edited][ProMed]
Rotten tuna was the cause of food poisoning that struck down hundreds of workers between 11 and 13 Jun 2009, Ho Chi Minh City's Health Department said on 20 Jun 2009. The department collected food samples from the companies to test immediately after workers got food poisoning.
According to the department, during the recent hot weather quality of tuna worsened and histamine in the tuna was created, causing severe physical reactions in people. A large amount of histamine could be poisonous, the department said. Although the department warned people that tuna caused food poisoning, city shoppers continued to buy cheap local tuna.

Australia:Chemical use may have led to fish deformities
17 Jun 2009
New Zealand Herald [edited] [FSNet]
A Queensland government taskforce says it's possible chemical sprays were behind deformed, two-headed fish larvae at a Sunshine Coast hatchery.
The taskforce, which includes government agencies and independent experts, has been testing the area around a hatchery on the Sunshine Coast, where dead, deformed and abnormal fish larvae have alarmed locals.
The locals have linked the deaths and deformities to five recent cancer cases in people from the area, blaming chemicals from nearby macadamia nut plantations.

Indonesia-Diarrhea kills nine in Polewali Mandar
16 June 2009
The Archipelago [edited] [FSNet]
Diarrhea has spread rapidly in Polewali Mandar (Polman) regency, killing at least nine people in the past two weeks.
The Polman Health Agency recorded 1,200 cases of diarrhea in the regency, forcing it to declare an emergency situation in Luyo district, which had 396 cases with five fatalities.
An expert said his agency had conducted several activities to prevent the disease from spreading, such as opening medical posts, providing medical treatment, chlorinating residents' wells and advising people on healthy living.
Meanwhile, head of disease control at the Polman Health Agency said diarrhea was on the rise due to the unhealthy habits of the residents, such as drinking water that had been taken from river or wells without boiling it first.
Last week, the Alor Health Agency in the East Nusa Tenggara province also announced an emergency situation in Kalodama village district in Alor regency following the deaths of five residents in four days.
At least 17 residents have suffered diarrhea, mostly due to bad sanitation.
In May, four people have died and more than 1,500 people are seriously ill from an outbreak of diarrhea in East Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara.
The provincial health agency said the outbreak, which was caused byE. colibacteria, had spread to 14 districts, an increase from the original eight districts.

Indonesia-Diarrhea, fatal(West Sulawesi)
13 Jun 2009
The Jakarta Post [edited][ProMed]
Diarrhea has spread rapidly in Polewali Mandar (Polman) regency, killing at least 9 people in the past 2 weeks. The Polman Health Agency recorded 1200 cases of diarrhea in the regency, forcing it to declare an emergency situation in Luyo district, which had 396 cases with 5 fatalities.
From October to December 2008, the agency recorded 2800 cases of diarrhea in the districts, with 28 people succumbing to the disease.
An expert was quoted as saying his agency had conducted several activities to prevent the disease from spreading, such as opening medical posts, providing medical treatment, chlorinating residents' wells and advising people on healthy living.
Meanwhile, head of disease control at the Polman Health Agency said diarrhea was on the rise due to the unhealthy habits of the residents, such as drinking water that had been taken from river or wells without boiling it first.

Australia:Search on to pinpoint Kalang River contamination source
12 Jun 2009
ABC Mid North Coast NSW [edited] [FSNet]
Attempts are underway to find out what is causing pollution problems in the Kalang River, in north-east New South Wales.
The river has been closed to oyster harvesting since the start of the year, due to the detection of norovirus in the water.
The Bellingen Shire Council says septic systems in the river catchment have been identified as a possible source of the pollution.

Vietnam:Over 350 city workers hospitalized with food poisoning
12 Jun 2009
SGGP [edited] [FSNet]
More than 350 footwear workers in Ho Chi Minh City’s Thu Duc and Binh Chanh Districts were hospitalized June 11 with food poisoning after eating lunch provided by their companies.
At one company in Thu Duc District, more than 170 workers were the first to get symptoms like skin rashes, headache, and dizziness after eating stewed tuna and water morning glory soup. Many of them lost consciousness and were rushed to a hospital for emergency aid.
Doctors there said tuna could have caused the food poisoning.
Later, 180 workers at a second company in Binh Chanh District ate stewed tuna, boiled water morning glory, and winter melon soup, and developed itches and nausea.

Korea-KFDA: Higher risk of food poisoning in seafood
12 Jun 2009
JoongAng Daily
The Korea Food and Drug Administration said yesterday that there’s an increased risk of food poisoning caused by a saltwater-based bacterial virus calledVibrio parahaemolyticus.
The agency made the announcement a day after the Korea Meteorological Administration forecast a higher-than-normal increase in ocean temperatures here this summer.Vibriobacteria thrive in warmer water and multiply rapidly when ocean temperatures exceed 20 degrees Celsius (68 degrees Fahrenheit).
The KFDA said in a press release thatVibriocan stay on the skin, gills and internal organs of fish that are caught for human consumption. It can also spread through kitchen knives and chopping boards and through sliced raw fish that haven’t been rinsed in water. The main symptoms of the food poisoning - including stomach ache, diarrhea, nausea and fever - typically develop within 12 hours of eating.

Indonesia-Diarrhea, fatal(East Nusa Tenggara)
10 Jun 2009
The Jakarta Post [edited][ProMed]
Alor regency administration in East Nusa Tenggara declared Tuesday [9 Jun 2009] an emergency situation after 5 residents died of diarrhea in West Kalondama village in the past 4 days. Alor Health Agency head
said his agency had sent a team to the village to prevent the disease from spreading to neighboring villages.

May

Australia:Tomato product linked to Hep-A cases
22 May 2009
Sydney Morning Herald [edited] [FSNet]
A semi-dried tomato product mixed with garlic, herbs and oil has been linked to a spike in hepatitis A cases in at least three states, health authorities were quoted as saying.
South Australian director of public health was quoted as saying there have been 26 cases in the state since March, more than 70 in Victoria and an increased number in Queensland.
The cases are thought to be linked to the tomato product, which is manufactured in both Victoria and Queensland and sold in various states by weight.
The product is sold in supermarkets and could also be used by snack bars and cafes in food preparation.
It is being recalled by the manufacturing company.
People who suspect they may have some of the product, or any similar product, at home should discard it.
Queensland Health Deputy Director-General says an investigation into the possible contamination of unpackaged, loosely purchased semi-dried tomatoes is underway.
Related stories
22 May 2009-Hepatitis warning on semi-dried tomatoes
ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation) [edited][ProMed]
Health authorities in Victoria and South Australia say semi-dried tomatoes have been linked with a spike in the number of hepatitis A cases.
The Victorian Department of Human Services says hepatitis A is spread when traces of fecal matter containing the virus contaminates hands, objects, water, or food and is then taken in by mouth. Symptoms of hepatitis A include abdominal pain, nausea, fever and chills, and jaundice.
The total number of hepatitis A cases reported in Victoria this year [2009] is 90 compared with 41 reported for the same period last year [2008]. The warning does not apply to semi-dried tomatoes sold in jars, pre-packaged, or vacuum packages.

Vietnam-First Vietnamese dies of Vibrio cholera
19 May 2009
VOV News [edited] [FSNet]
A Vietnamese suspected ofVibrio cholerafrom the northern province of Ninh Binh died on May 18, according to the Preventive Medicine and Environment Department under the Ministry of Health.
Samples taken from the patient tested positive forVibrio choleraat the Central Hygiene and Epidemiology Institute.
The Preventive Medicine and Environment Department has asked the Ninh Binh province’s Preventive Medicine Centre to disinfect the affected areas and sent a delegation to the province to investigate the reason for the death. The department said Ha Nam and Hoa Binh provinces also reported cases of acute diarrhea due toVibrio cholera.

Vietnam:Dog meat causes cholera outbreak in Hanoi
14 May 2009
SGGP English Edition [edited] [FSNet]
There has been a sudden surge in the number of cholera cases to 30 – 40 daily in the last three days, an official from Hanoi’s National Institute of Infectious and Tropical Diseases said on May 13. Consumption of dog meat has found to be the cause in most cases.
Most of the victims are Hanoi residents and all come with extreme bouts of vomiting, diarrhea, collapsing pulse, and falling blood pressure, a doctor was quoted as saying.
40 people have been admitted with acute diarrhea, 23 of them with cholera.
It has been discovered that 70 percent of the cholera patients ate dog meat before falling ill.
Personnel from the Center took samples of dog meat from four large slaughterhouses in Ha Dong District in Hanoi and found the presence of virulentVibrio choleravirus in five of them.

Vietnam-Ministry calls for better hygiene as diarrhea spreads
13 May 2009
Thanhnien News [edited]
Citing dangerous health risks and people’s apathy, the Health Ministry Tuesday urged people change their eating habits and practice better hygiene in light of acute diarrhea spreading through northern Vietnam.
Humidity, rains and flooding, plus travel between localities will cause the disease to strengthen and spread to more cities and provinces, the Deputy Minister was quoted as saying. So far, the diarrhea has spread only to seven cities and provinces in the north, he said.
To contain diarrhea outbreaks and quarantine the infected areas, the ministry has instructed people to avoid suspect food, boil water before drinking it and stay away from crowded meals like those traditionally held at funerals or death anniversaries.
Patients’ diarrhea waste must be sterilized with lime powder or chloramine B, while the water used to wash the patients’ clothes and possessions must not be poured into the common rivers or ponds, the ministry ordered.
To prevent a widespread outbreak of the disease, the ministry also asked city and provincial administrations and health authorities nationwide to take action and cooperate with the Preventive Health Department of the ministry to investigate the food or other possible causes that led to each case so far.

Australia-Water bug outbreak hits Tennant Creek
07 May 2009
The Age [edited]
Residents of the outback town of Tennant Creek are being urged to turn off the taps and buy bottled water.
A water boil alert has been issued for the approximately 3,000 people who live in the Northern Territory town, about 1,000km south Darwin, afterE. colibacteria were detected in the community's water supply.
The NT Department of Health and Families (DHF) has urged locals to take precautionary measures.
An environmental health officer was quoted as saying they recommended that water for drinking, food preparation and oral hygiene be obtained from either packaged bottled water or by boiling tap water and allowing it to cool.
An expert was quoted as saying that “Work is now under way by Power and Water Corporation to flush the water supply system, monitor the chlorine in the system and ensure maximum disinfection occurs to kill any bacteria present.”
Residents who experience symptoms of diarrhea should seek advice from the health centre or other health service.

New Zealand-Surprise Mum with a fabulous breakfast- not a foodborne illness- this Mother's Day
06 May 2009
NZFSA [edited] [FSNet]
Surprising Mum with breakfast in bed is a favorite low-cost way to celebrate Mother’s Day. It’s also a great opportunity for Dads and other caregivers to teach children simple food safety lessons while helping them prepare the meal.
NZFSA encourages both children and adults to follow the 4C’s rule – Clean, Cook, Cover, Chill – and be food-safe on Mother's Day and every day.
Good hygiene starts with clean hands. Cooks of every age should wash their hands with soap and warm water for 20 seconds and dry with a clean towel before and after food preparation. It is also vital to wash them after playing with pets, blowing your nose and using the toilet.
Unclean chopping boards and utensils are a common way of transmitting bacteria. Wash utensils and scrub chopping boards between tasks – especially between preparing raw and ready-to-eat foods.
Ensure breakfast sausage or bacon is cooked all the way through. If using a microwave oven, stir, cover, and rotate food for even cooking and let it stand for a few minutes afterwards. Always cook eggs before eating them and remember cooked egg whites should be firm, not runny.
If making pancakes, don’t be tempted to eat the batter as it exposes you to raw ingredients that could contain harmful bacteria. Cooking will kill any bacteria and make the pancakes safe to eat.
Finally, any leftovers from Mum's special meal should be quickly cooled, covered and refrigerated as soon as possible, then eaten within two days. Reheat leftovers until they are steaming hot.
For more information on food safety see the consumer section of NZFSA’s website

April

Singapore-Rojak poisoning caused by cross-contamination by raw seafood
15 Apr 2009
Asia One Health [edited][iFSN]
Blame it on theVibrio parahaemolyticusbacterium, which is commonly associated with seafood consumption. It is reported that the Ministry of Health (MOH) and National Environment Agency (NEA) identified the cause of the mass food-poisoning incident at Geylang Serai Temporary Market, which saw more than 150 people falling ill after eating Indian rojak from the Rojak Geylang Serai stall. Two women also died. Laboratory investigation showed that 13 of the cases, including the first woman who died, tested positive for the bacterium. In a joint statement last night, MOH and NEA identified the bacterium and traced it to the cross-contamination of rojak and raw seafood ingredients. According to this story, no food remnants were available for microbiological testing and the exact steps leading to contamination of the rojak food items or gravy are still unclear. "Nonetheless, MOH and NEA investigators detected some lapses in food and environmental hygiene," the statement said. For now, the license of the Indian rojak stall will be suspended and the licensee will be taken to court.
Related stories
14 Apr 2009 –Rojak seller to go to court
Singapore Enquirer[iFSN]
8 Apr 2009 – -Mass food poisoning incident
Channel News Asia [edited] [Promed]
The Health Ministry says it appears that the transmission, caused by a cross-contamination of rojak and raw seafood ingredients harboring theVibrio parahaemolyticusbacteria, has ceased. Laboratory investigation confirmed 12 cases tested positive forVibrio parahaemolyticus, including the 1st death.Meanwhile, the Geylang Serai temporary market, which houses about 300 stalls, was closed for routine cleaning on Wed and Thu 8-9 Apr 2009. The last time spring cleaning took place there was in October 2008.
08 Apr 2009 -Food poisoning outbreak claims second victim
Xinhua News Agency [edited][iFSN]
Singapore's food poisoning involving a local Indian rojak food stall claimed the second victim on Wednesday, local media reported. According to TV broadcaster Channel news Asia, Norani Kassim, 59, who was warded in a local hospital on last Saturday, died before 10:00 a.m. local time on Wednesday. This is the second food poisoning victim since the outbreak started between April 2 and 4, when people started to fall ill with food poisoning symptoms such as severe abdominal cramps, vomiting and diarrhea after eating at a local Indian rojak food stall. The outbreak killed the first victim, a 57-year-old woman, on Monday and caused a 38-year-old woman to miscarry.
06 Apr 2009–Rojak scare is worst mass food poisoning outbreak since 2007
Channel NewsAsia - Hoe Yeen Nie [edited][iFSN]
According to this story, this latest incident is believed to be the worst mass food poisoning outbreak in Singapore since 2007. Authorities have stepped up investigations including hygiene checks at the Geylang Serai temporary market on Monday. The 'Rojak Geylang Serai' stall has been shut since the weekend after more than 110 of its customers fell ill with food poisoning.

Indonesia -WFP deplores food contamination in NTT
07 Apr 2009
The Jakarta Post - The Archipelago [edited][iFSN]
The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) has received reports that strange goods were found in its fortified biscuits that were distributed during the school feeding program in Timor Tengah Utara and Belu regencies, East Nusa Tenggara.
Based on an independent investigation, the strange goods were introduced after WFP sent the biscuits to its local partner and after the latter distributed them to the schools.

Malaysia -31 primary school pupils down with food poisoning
5 Apr 2009
The New Straits Times [edited][Promed]
According to this story, thirty one pupils of SK Taman Seri Wang came down with food poisoning after eating fried rice at the school's canteen this morning. It is learned that a pupil was admitted to an hospital while the rest received outpatient treatment. The Year 4 to Year 6 pupils started to fall ill about an hour after they had their breakfast during school's recess hour at 10 AM. The State Health department deputy director, when contacted, declined to comment.

March

Kazakh Ministry of Agriculture-Chinese fruits contain heptachlor
23 Mar 2009
FreshPlaza, Central Asian News report [edited] [Promed]
According to this story, the Kazakh Ministry of Agriculture ordered inspectors to tighten control over import of Chinese fruits due to detection of heptachlor in the products.
The ministry ordered state inspectors to tighten phytosanitary quarantine control over Chinese products, to take action in order to secure the Kazakh market from such products.
The reason for such measures is detection of heptachlor, a health damaging pesticide, in fruits such as lemons, mandarins, nuts, and oranges imported from China. This pesticide is used in agriculture for insect pest control and can cause serious damage to human health.
Heptachlor is a manufactured chemical and doesn't occur naturally. Heptachlor was used extensively in the past for killing insects in homes, buildings, and on food crops. These uses stopped in 1988. Currently it can only be used for fire ant control in underground power transformers. Products with heptachlor should be destroyed.
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Australia -E. colioutbreak traced to frogs
18 Mar 2009
Central Queensland News - Di Stanley [edited][iFSN]
It is reported that frogs living in the Bluff water reservoir have been blamed for anE. colioutbreak in the town's drinking supply in January. A report by the Commercial Services division of the Central Highlands Regional Council said the amphibians’ non-desirable rural residential address, combined with low chlorine levels, resulted in the deadly bacteria being detected. Testing showed a low chlorine level at the reservoir and one sample failed drinking water guidelines.
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Philippines-Diarrhea, fatal (Samar)
9 Mar 2009
ABS-CBN News [edited] [Promed]
According to this story, in 5 villages of Villareal town, Samar province, 6 people have died while 49 others got sick with diarrhea. According to a rural sanitary inspector of the town, most of those who fell ill were children and the elderly whose immune systems are not strong enough to fight the bacterial infection. The disease affected the villages of Igot, Macopa, Ulayan, Conant, and Tayud. The story goes on by explaining that health authorities suspect that contaminated drinking water might have caused the spread of diarrhea in those areas.
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China-Trichinellosis, Yunnan province
5 Mar 2009
Shenghuo Xinbao [in Chinese, trans. Rappt.DS, edited] [Promed]
China has announced that the illness in Lanping has been identified as trichinellosis. Below is a translated excerpt of a Chinese-language article. Lanping County's 'infectious disease of unknown origin' has been identified as trichinellosis. Today [5 Mar 2009], the provincial CDC reported that it had completed investigation of the group illness in Lanping County; 9 cases of trichinellosis have been confirmed and there was one other death due to severe illness. Surviving patients have improved after aggressive treatment and the situation has been brought under control.
Related stories
March 5, 2009- Cause of suspected food poisoning that left one dead in SW China identified
Xinhua [edited]
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February

China -57 people sick in snack food poisoning in North East China
February 24, 2009
People’s Daily On Line
According to this story, fifty-seven people were sick after eating snack food from a shopping center in this capital of northeast China's Heilongjiang Province on Monday, said a health official Tuesday.The deputy director of the city's health bureau, said hospitals in the city had not reported any deaths or any critically ill patients as a result of the poisoning.He said hospitals have registered 57 people who suffered nausea and vomiting after eating the spicy Chinese snack "malatang" from a vendor in the underground dining area of Hongbo Shopping Center in downtown Harbin's Hongqi Street. Among those, 28 have since left hospital after they passed medical checks. All of the hospitalized patients are in stable conditions, said Liu.
He said a clinical examination found the patients were poisoned by nitrite. Lab researches also showed food samples from the hotpot vendor contained excessive amounts of nitrite, the official said without giving exact data on the content.The stall was closed as authorities conduct an investigation.
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Chinatainted pork makes 70 sick
23 Feb 2009
BBC News [edited] [Promed]
According to this story, at least 70 people have fallen ill in China after eating pork products contaminated with an illegal animal feed additive, state media report.The victims were treated for stomachache and diarrhea in Guangdong province, according to the China Daily. Three people remain in hospital It is reported that the tainted pig organs contained the drug clenbuterol, which is used to prevent animals from gaining fat Officials in the southern province are quoted as saying 3 people have been detained on suspicion of involvement in raising and selling the contaminated pigs. The pork was brought last week [week of 16 Feb 2009] from markets in Guangzhou, the provincial capital of Guangdong, and came from farms in the neighboring Hunan province, according to the report.
Related stories
23 Feb 2009–70 ill from tainted pig organs
CNN
It is reported that at least 70 people in one Chinese province have suffered food poisoning in recent days after eating pig organs contaminated by a banned food additive, state-run media reported Monday. The victims complained of stomach aches and diarrhea after eating pig organs bought in local markets since Thursday, China's Xinhua news agency reported. A local health official said initial investigations indicated that the pig organs were contaminated by clenbuterol, an additive that is banned in pig feed in China.
19 Feb 2009 –Pig organs make 46 ill
Reuters - Jacqueline Wong [edited] [iFSN]
It is explained that forty-six people in China's southern province of Guangdong have suffered food poisoning after eating pig organs that contained an animal feed additive, the official Xinhua news agency said on Thursday. The chemical can stop pigs accumulating fat and can be used by humans as a weight loss aid and to help ease breathing disorders. It is banned as an additive in pig feed in China.
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Australia -Heatwave linked to outbreak of food poisoning
05 Feb 2009
Sydney Morning Herald - Adele Horin [edited][iFSN]
According to this story, more than 20 people at an upmarket Narrabeen aged-care facility were taken ill with food poisoning and five were admitted to hospital. The source of the outbreak is believed to be a hollandaise sauce that used raw egg, although the NSW Food Authority is still waiting for conclusive test results. A spokesman for the authority said if the sauce was found to have been the culprit, the hot weather on the day would have contributed to the growth of bacteria. It is reported that the suspected food poisoning occurred on Friday, January 23, when the temperature reached nearly 32 degrees Celsius at the RSL Anzac Village at Narrabeen. The high-quality village provides 750 independent living units as well as places for 500 people in nursing home or hostel level care.
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Philippines- Amoebic dysentery(Bukidnon)
4 Feb 2009
MindaNews [edited] [Promed]
According to the City Health Office [CHO], 6 persons died, including a 9-year-old boy and 3 senior citizens, while more than half of the population of a remote village [in Bukidnon province] fell ill of amoebiasis in the last 2 months. The CHO chief, said the incidence of diarrhea cases last December 2008 and January 2009 in Sitio Candiisan, Barangay Canayan was blamed on contaminated drinking water or water from an unsanitary source. The CHO reported that residents fetch water from a spring with an unprotected source and untreated with chlorine.
Sangalang said the number of cases is the biggest and first of its scale in almost a decade in the city. He said 90 percent of the city's villages have access to safe potable water. But the remaining 10 percent have "doubtful sources of water, including that in Candiisan," he said.
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China -Cholera(Yunnan)
4 Feb 2009
Xinhua News Agency [edited] [Promed]
All 47 people struck down during a cholera epidemic last month [January 2009] in Yuxi city of southwestern China's Yunnan Province have fully recovered, a provincial official said in Yuxi Monday [2 Feb 2009]. The outbreak in Tonghai, Huaning, and Jiangchuan counties on 18 Jan 2009 led to 20 confirmed cases of cholera, with 27 people also found to be carrying the cholera bacterium, the director of the provincial health department, said at a press conference in Yuxi.
"No deaths were reported," the director was quoted by Wednesday's [4 Feb 2009] China Daily. He said all 47 patients had been among the 585 villagers who attended a funeral feast in Tonghai from 15 to 17 Jan 2009. Around 3 am on 18 Jan 2009, the 1st patient, aged 73, was admitted to a local hospital suffering diarrhea, and was followed by another 2 later that day, the director said.
On the morning of 21 Jan 2009, the Yuxi center for disease control initially diagnosedVibrio choleraeO139 type, confirming the infection the following day, he said. After the reported outbreak, all 585 who attended the feast, along with those who had come into immediate contact with them, were isolated. Local police also closed infected areas, while the local health department checked the health of 8,561 villagers, the government said. Investigators found that 26 of the 585 people at the feast had traveled abroad and visited high-risk cholera areas, with one of those identified as carrying the disease having done the cooking for the feast.
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Fiji -Diarrhea(Viti Levu)
03 Feb 2009
Fiji Village [edited] [Promed]
There has been an increase in the number of people suffering from water-borne diseases and so far officials have confirmed 108 cases of diarrhea. The general manager Community Health Central/Eastern, says they have received reports of an increase in diarrhea cases from Rewa, Tailevu, and Naitasiri [Central Division]. He says in Rewa diarrhea is affecting 51 people, while in Tailevu 30, and 10 people were found to be suffering from diarrhea in Naitasiri. Meanwhile, the divisional medical officer Western, has also reported an increase in the diarrhea cases in the western division after the flood.
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January

Japan -Blowfish poisoning sends 7 to hospital
27 Jan 2009
Associated Press [edited][iFSN]
According to this story, blowfish testicles prepared by an unauthorized chef sickened seven diners in northern Japan and three remained hospitalized Tuesday after eating the poisonous delicacy. It is reported that the owner of the restaurant in Tsuruoka city, who is also the chef, had no license to serve blowfish and was being questioned on suspicion of professional negligence, a police official said. The story goes on by explaining that a 68-year-old diner remained hospitalized in critical condition with respiratory failure and two others, aged 55 and 69, were in serious condition, he said.
Related stories
27 Jan 2009–7 men were rushed to hospital
The Mainichi Daily News [edited] [Promed]
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Thailand -Contaminated silkworms poison 118
27 Jan 2009
The Nation - Pongphon Sarnsamak [edited][iFSN]
According to this story, some 118 people have fallen ill, with 60 being admitted to hospital, after consuming fried silkworm that was believed to have been contaminated with the toxic substance histamine. Most of the patients suffered facial swelling, vomiting, blurred vision, numbness around the mouth, exhaustion and skin rash, the Public Health Ministry's epidemiologist said. After hearing that one of the employees of a shop importing insects from China had fallen ill from eating a fried silkworm, they sent the insects for laboratory tests and discovered that most of the silkworms sold in Rong-Klua market were contaminated with histamines. The level of histamine found in silkworm was 875 milligrams per kilogram, when, according to US food regulations, no more than 50mg/kg of histamine contamination can be allowed in fish, which is usually found contaminated. The study also discovered that the insects were further contaminated by the bad conditions at Rong-Klua market and poor cooling systems.
Related stories
28 Jan 2009–118 people have fallen ill
Asia One, The Nation/Asia News Network report [edited] [Promed]
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China -Chinese workers poisoned by dumplings recalled after Japan outbreak
24 Jan 2009
Mainichi Daily News [edited] [Promed]
China's food safety record took another hit, after a worker at a state-run steelmaker in Hebei suffered food poisoning caused by locally produced dumplings, which had been recalled following the outbreak of food poisoning in Japan and resold, sources close to the case said.The local authorities instructed state-run firms in Hebei to buy gyoza dumplings produced and later recalled by Tianyang Food Plant in order to bail out the firm, now in crisis following the food safety scandal. The Japanese government has asked the Chinese government for details about the incident, but Beijing has so far refused, pending a full investigation. About 150,000 packets of gyoza dumplings produced by Tianyang Food Plant -- which were recalled after their pesticide-tainted gyoza caused food poisoning in Japan -- were sold to state-owned companies in Hebei Province between April and June last year [2008], according to the sources. One of the companies, Tangshan Iron and Steel Co., gave out tens of thousands of packages to employees, who -- apparently due to scant media coverage on the story in China -- ate the dumplings unaware of the health risks. It was earlier learned that 4 employees of another steelmaker suffered food poisoning in June last year [2008] after eating frozen gyoza produced by Tianyang.
Related stories
24 Jan 2009 –China denies serious food poisoning cases involving recalled dumplings
Xinhua [edited] [Promed]
No serious food poisoning cases have ever been reported after employees of some Chinese companies who ate frozen dumplings recalled by a company from Japan early last year [2008], company sources and officials said Saturday [24 Jan 2009]. After investigation, a worker with Chengde Iron and Steel Company showed discomfort after eating dumplings delivered by the company but this man did not go to a hospital for diagnosis and was okay after a rest, said Zhang Jinying, a Hebei Provincial State-owned Assets Supervision an Administration Commission.
Japan's Kyodo News reported Saturday [24 Jan 2009] that the frozen dumplings, recalled after food poisoning cases involving them in Japan, were delivered to a steel maker in Hebei Province and some employees showed symptoms of food poisoning. Some 20 companies in Hebei bought Tianyang Food's dumplings in April last year [2008], after Tianyang Food recalled all its dumplings exported to Japan in the wake of a poisoning accident. In January last year, Japanese media reported that 10 people fell ill after consuming frozen meat dumplings produced by Tianyang Food Plant based in Hebei Province. Japanese authorities found methamidophos in the vomit of those poisoned and in food packages at their houses. But sample tests by China quality watchdog showed that the rest of the same batch of dumplings and other batches made at about the same time by the Chinese company were safe, as were the raw materials used in production. Zhang said Tianyang Food had been suspending production since February last year.
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Hong Kong -Report of suspected food poisoning
21 Jan 2009
Department of Health [edited] [iFSN]
The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is today investigating a suspected food poisoning case involving 10 students and reminded members of the public to observe good personal, food and environmental hygiene to prevent food-borne diseases.
The affected, seven boys and three girls ages eight to 10, are students of a primary school in Aberdeen. They developed gastroenteritis symptoms, including vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain and nausea about 15 minutes to one hour after consuming lunch boxes at school today. All the affected are in stable condition. Further investigation is on-going.
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Thailand -Chao Dai fish banned after 100 get sick
21 Jan 2009
The Nation - Pongphon Sarnsamak [edited][iFSN]
It is reported that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a nationwide ban on the sale of Chao Doi canned fish products, which had been donated to flood victims in the South but caused hundreds to become sick from apparent food poisoning. The FDA secretary general said the food-watch agency is studying the legal process on whether to charge the company for violating the law by illegally producing canned fish and other canned food items after its factory was closed by the local public health office due to a substandard production process and producing poor quality products. FDA inspector said that the public health office had ordered company to close the factory but it was allegedly still illegally producing canned fish.
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New Zealand -Doubtful Sound victims released
12 Jan 2009
NZPA - TVNZ [edited][iFSN]
According to this story, ten people airlifted to Te Anau medical centre after being taken ill with suspected food poisoning on a boat trip in Doubtful Sound on Sunday have been discharged. The Medical centre doctor says the people suffered from diarrhea and vomiting but she does not know at this stage what has caused the illness. The 10 people have since been discharged and the centre has discounted norovirus as the cause.
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Philippines -Cholera(Bicol)
9 Jan 2009
Inquirer [edited] [Promed]
According to this story, health officials noted a cholera outbreak for the past 3 weeks in Ticao Island, Masbate after having recorded 124 cases and 2 fatalities in the towns of Monreal and San Fernando, the Department of Health in Bicol reported Friday [9 Jan 2009].The Bicol health director, said in a report that in Monreal town, most of the cases were seen in the village of Guinhadap, with a total of 96. There were 4 cases in the village of Morocborocan and 9 in the village of Poblacion. The story goes on by explaining that in San Fernando town, all 15 cases were seen in the village of Ipil. Most of the victims were children and adolescents. Initial laboratory tests through stool culture revealed 3 of the 124 cases as positive forV. choleraeOgawa.
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Australia-Diarrhea in Central Highlands town due toE. coliin water
09 Jan 2009
The Courier-Mail -Brian Williams [edited] [iFSN]
According to this story,E. colihas been found in the water supply of the small central Queensland town of Bluff. The Central Highlands Mayor yesterday warned residents to boil water before drinking because of the presence of the bacteria. On Thursday a Bluff resident said anyone drinking the water was coming down with gastric complaints, a situation he blamed on the discharge of contaminated water from the Ensham Coal mine into the local river system.
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China-Another child dies from melamine-contaminated milk
07 Jan 2009
AsiaNews
According to this story, a one-year-old boy with kidney disease because of the powdered milk that he drank from birth died yesterday in Qingzhou (Shandong). His death brings to 7 the official number of victims in the melamine milk contamination scandal, but is triggering doubts about the actual number. It is reported that the the boy died from respiratory complications. Since he had also been diagnosed with leukemia, the father wants the hospital to conduct an autopsy to verify the cause of death. But the public health officials are refusing to give permission.
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