December 2005

December 8, 2005
KFOX, El Paso
El Paso’s Health Department attributes the growing potential of hepatitis A to our global economy.
Hepatitis A, like ecoli, and other food-borne illnesses are easily transmitted and difficult to trace. Health experts say that could be attributed to our global economy, and one source is the fruits and vegetables we find in grocery stores.
During the winter, some fresh goods may be brought in from around the world where farming standards are not as strict as those in the United States.
“They may irrigate with what’s called black water, which is simply sewage water,” said David Dublias, with the El Paso Health Department.Continue Reading Health Officials Warn Against Hepatitis A

By Amanda McGregor
Staff writer
BEVERLY — A boiler broke at Briscoe Middle School this week, forcing students to bundle up in sweaters and winter jackets just to keep warm.
School administrators sent a letter home to parents Monday urging them to send their children to school with sweaters and other warm clothing until repairs are completed. With only one of the school’s two boilers functioning, some classrooms are “quite cool,” the letter said.
In the meantime, the other boiler is working overtime to heat the whole school at lower temperatures than normal, Superintendent James Hayes said.Continue Reading Boiler breakdown gives Briscoe students the chills

By SARA IN…S CALDER”N
The Brownsville Herald
December 5, 2005 — The incidence of food-borne illnesses in the Rio Grande Valley far exceeds statewide figures.
While some say this is because of proximity to Mexico, incidence rates in the border counties of El Paso and Laredo say otherwise.
For five consecutive years, Texas Department of State Health Services data shows the Valley has had much higher rates of food-borne illness, such as hepatitis A and salmonella.
Figures provided by the state health department are only based on confirmed cases reported by local doctors. There may be cases that are not reported, so actual rates may be even higher than reported rates. Official’s say reporting across the Valley is reliably standard.Continue Reading Valley leads state in food-borne illnesses

December 2, 2005
LOS ANGELES (AP) – Health officials suspect unwashed lettuce is responsible for a Los Angeles County surge in hepatitis A cases.
At least 60 people have fallen ill from the virus in the past three months. Officials haven’t been unable to link the outbreak to a particular farm or type of lettuce.
There was an outbreak in a downtown Los Angeles restaurant in September that affected 13 and another at an event catered by a Hollywood company in October where 19 fell ill. The other cases were scattered.
“We believe lettuce was the problem in these events,” said county health director Dr. Jonathan Fielding. “This is a problem that deserves real attention, and people eating in a restaurant should ask if the produce is being cleaned carefully.”Continue Reading Hepatitis A Outbreak in Los Angeles

December 2, 2005
(CBS) LOS ANGELES A reminder to wash produce thoroughly was issued Thursday by Los Angeles County health officials because of an increase in the number of hepatitis A cases reported this year.
In September, 13, diners at a restaurant were infected with hepatitis A. A month later, 19 people were infected after eating contaminated lettuce at a catered event, officials said.
In October, there were 32 reported cases in Los Angeles, compared to five cases of hepatitis A in October 2004.
Unwashed produce can transmit hepatitis A, e. coli and salmonella. Officials say even produce that comes pre-packaged and labeled as having been washed should be rinsed in cold, running water.Continue Reading Spike In Hepatitis A Cases Prompts Health Warning

December 2, 2005
L.A. County officials have been unable to track down source of the contaminated vegetable.
By Rong-Gong Lin II, Times Staff Writer
Health officials on Thursday identified lettuce as the likely source for a hepatitis A outbreak in Los Angeles County and urged residents to thoroughly wash the vegetable before eating it.
At least 60 people have fallen ill from the virus in Los Angeles County over the last three months. Officials are concerned because the outbreak comes after years of declining hepatitis A cases, but they have been unable to link the outbreak to a particular farm or type of lettuce.
There were at least two outbreaks: one in a downtown Los Angeles restaurant in September that affected 13; the other at an event catered by a Hollywood company in October where 19 fell ill. The other cases were scattered.
Officials would not identify the specific locations of the outbreaks, saying there is no ongoing risk at those sites.Continue Reading Lettuce the Likely Culprit in New Hepatitis A Cases

December 1, 2005
LOS ANGELES – County health officials issued a warning Thursday in the wake of two hepatitis A outbreaks. Video
Health officials said all produce should be washed thoroughly before consumption. The cases are connected to lettuce.
The warning comes after increases in hepatitis A cases in September and October.
Nineteen people were infected at a catered event. Thirteen people contracted the illness at a restaurant.
The county said 32 other cases reported in October were not part of the outbreak. Five cases were reported in October 2004.Continue Reading Hepatitis A Outbreak Linked To Lettuce