Various regions of the United States have experienced outbreaks spurred by bacteria and viruses in recent months. Five such outbreaks are detailed below.
Local and federal health officials are investigating a multistate Salmonella Kiambu outbreak linked to Maradol papayas imported from Mexico. The CDC has identified 47 infections across 12 states related to the outbreak, which began in May.
The bacterial infections caused 12 hospitalizations and one death as of July 21. Affected states include Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Texas, Utah and Virginia.
2. Norovirus
A poorly enforced sick-leave policy caused the recent norovirus outbreak at a Chipotle Mexican Grill in Sterling, Va., according to CNBC.
Loudoun County Health Department received 135 reports of illness related to the outbreak, with two restaurant customers testing positive for norovirus. The outbreak reportedly occurred between July 13 and 16.
During a July 25 conference call, Chipotle confirmed the source of the outbreak stemmed from poor enforcement of the company's paid sick leave policy, as management allowed an employee to work at the restaurant while sick, according to CNBC.
3. Mumps
The Hawaii Department of Health on July 20 increased its tally of mumps cases for the year to 172, marking an 18-case increase since July 13.
Health officials confirmed Mumps infections in both unvaccinated and vaccinated adults and children. Individuals who have been exposed to the mumps and not vaccinated should not attend school, work or travel from day 12 through day 25 after exposure, according to health officials.
Twenty-four people were infected with Salmonella Typhimurium across 16 states from March 17 to June 22, according to a CDC investigation notice posted July 26.
CDC investigators linked the infections to clinical, commercial, college and university microbiology laboratories in the following states:
- California
- Colorado
- Florida
- Georgia
- Iowa
- Maine
- Michigan
- Missouri
- North Carolina
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- Oklahoma
- Texas
- Washington
The infections resulted in six hospitalizations and no deaths.
5. E. Coli
A strain of E. Coli bacteria sickened 11 people in Hildale, Utah, and Colorado City, Ariz. Two children died from the outbreak, which started in early July, according to a report from 12News.
The CDC is now aiding local and state health officials to investigate the outbreak, according to Jennie Bowen, a spokesperson with the Mohave County Health Department in Arizona.
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