WASHINGTON, Jan. 27, 2000 —
The Food and Drug Administration warns that several brands of five-layer dips are potentially contaminated with contagious bacteria that causes serious digestive disorders.
The FDA says consumers should be alert for dips sold under the brand names Senor Felix’s, Trader Joe’s, Delicioso, and The Carryout CafÈ because they have the potential to be contaminated with Shigella sonnei bacteria.
The organism causes a form of bacterial dysentery which can cause bloody diarrhea, cramps, fever, nausea and vomiting and can possibly lead to hospitalization. Shigella infection is serious and very contagious, but can be treated though prompt medical attention.
The recalled five-layer dips contain layers of black or pinto beans, salsa, guacamole, nacho cheese and sour cream, among other ingredients. They were distributed nationwide in retail stores and can be identified with the following brand names:
Senor Felix’s Five Layered Party Dip
Delicioso 5 Layer Dip
Trader Joe’s Five Layered Fiesta Dip
The Carryout CafÈ Mexican Fiesta Party Dip 5 Layer
All of the above products were manufactured by Senor Felix’s Gourmet Mexican Foods Inc., of Baldwin Park, Calif.
To date at least 49 illnesses (five hospitalizations) have been reported.
These products were recalled voluntarily (with an accompanying press release) by the company on January 22, after they were linked to shigellosis outbreaks in several western states.
FDA is working with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and state health departments to track the affected products and to identify the cause of the problem.

Wednesday, October 12, 2005
By JEFF HAUERSPERGER, jeffh@tmnews.com
Saturday, October 8, 2005 6:49 AM CDT
MITCHELL , IN – An infectious disease that causes diarrhea has been reported in Mitchell.
The disease is called shigellosis and since it’s easily spread, county and school health officials decided to alert residents of its presence.
In a letter from Debbie Chastain, Mitchell Community Schools nurse, parents were told that three cases of shigellosis involving students was reported.
îAny child or staff member who has diarrhea should stay home and see your family physician or health care provider,ì Chastain said in the letter dated Oct. 3.

Continue Reading Mitchell schools fighting illness

Karen Schradin
WSAV News 3
Friday, September 16, 2005
Four children have tested positive for shigellosis in Richmond Hill so far, and that doesn’t include those who are still waiting for test results to come back.
For the Walker family it’s a first.
Roxann Walker says, “In the last two weeks I have seen my pediatrician just about everyday.”
The mysterious stomach bug is affecting one child after another.
9 year-old Logan was the first infected.
Roxann says, “He turned a white with blueish green like I’ve never seen before. It was terrible to watch.”

Continue Reading Shigellosis in Richmond Hill

09/16/05
The Coastal Health District has released the following:
SAVANNAH, GAó Several school-aged children in the Richmond Hill area of Bryan County are reporting gastrointestinal illness. Four have been positively diagnosed with shigellosis, a bacterial infection affecting the intestinal tract. Symptoms often include mild to severe diarrhea, fever, and stomach cramps. Most people recover on their own within 5-7 days, but in severe cases hospitalization and fluids are sometimes necessary.
The Shigella bacteria are passed in stool. Shigella are sometimes spread among diapered children, or by an infected person who doesnít properly wash his or her hands after using the restroom. ìThe best way to avoid getting shigellosis is to wash your hands well, and wash them often,î says Cristina Pasa, epidemiologist with the Coastal Health District. ìUse warm water and soap and scrub your hands for at least 15 seconds before rinsing.î

Continue Reading Parents Cautioned About Gastrointestinal Illness Among Children

Matthew Lee
August 12, 2005
A high number of food-poisoning cases in recent months has forced the government to threaten the restaurants involved with closure if there continue to be similar complaints.
There were 495 cases of food poisoning in the first six months of this year affecting 1,873 people, the highest six-month figure for the past five years, the Department of Health said Thursday.

Continue Reading Dirty eateries face closure

Aug 24, 2005
There have been 11 new cases of Shigella in Jackson County since May. Jackson County Health Department officials say that makes 67 confirmed cases this year. Shigella is a highly-contagious disease.
Symptoms include fever, stomach cramps, diarrhea and vomiting. Health officials say you can help stop the disease from spreading with frequent hand washing. Parents are also encouraged to notify school officials if their child is sick with any Shigella-like symptoms.

August 11, 2005
KMTR News Source 16 (Oregon)
ROSEBURG (AP) – Nearly 300 people have gotten sick in rural Douglas County after an outbreak of shigellosis, an illness that bears flu-like symptons.
Community Health Services Director Dawnelle Marshall says at least 280 people attending a spiritual retreat center near the tiny community of Umpqua reported becoming ill.
Nine people were hospitalized, and 18 of the cases have been confirmed as being caused by the bacteria.
Marshall says most of the cases have been treated with antibiotics with good results. The exact source of the outbreak is under investigation.
Shigellosis is a bacterial infection acquired by consuming food or water that is contaminated with human feces, or from direct exposure to human waste.

By Barbara Isaacs
HERALD-LEADER STAFF WRITER
Thereís a long list of items kids need to lug to school ó backpacks, crayons, notebooks, erasers.
But thereís one thing school health officials donít want kids bringing with them ó diarrhea.
Diarrhea in school is a special concern now, because since May, 135 cases of shigellosis have been diagnosed in Fayette County. There have been 24 new cases diagnosed since July 28.
Shigellosis is a form of dysentery that causes diarrhea, fever and vomiting.

Continue Reading School officials wary students will bring outbreak to school