Outbreaks and Alerts: July 19, 2010

A daily digest of international outbreaks, alerts and food safety news

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United States

• Minneapolis, KS. July 16: The Kansas Department of Health and Environment has rescinded the boil water advisory for the city of Minneapolis, located in Ottawa County.
• Jewell County, KS. July 16: Due to a toxic blue-green algae bloom, the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) is advising the public to avoid contact with water in Lovewell Reservoir, located in the northeast corner of Jewell County, KS.

Europe

• Paris, France. July 19: The Secretary of State for Ecology estimates that France must cut in half the level of nitrates in its waters in order to restrict the development of toxic algae blooms.
• Glasgow, Scotland. July 19: The National Health Service for Greater Glasgow and Clyde has launched an investigation into a suspected outbreak of Norovirus gastroenteritis at the Hilton Hotel in Glasgow. The outbreak has afflicted 24 guests and 14 staff memebers; 2 guests were hospitalized for treatment, but are expected to make a full recovery. The hotel has initiated a round of extensive cleaning and sanitation.
• Malmyz, Russia. July 19: Four children and 70 adults were hospitalized with acute food poisoning after consuming foods prepared by a local café.
• Odessa, Ukraine. July 19: Thirty-five children and three adults from the Jubilee resort complex have been hospitalized with acute gastroenteritis.
• Guipavas, France. July 19: Ten people suffered from food intoxication after consuming fresh tuna purchased from Intermarché in Guipavas between July 13th and July 16th.

Australia and New Zealand

• New South Wales, Australia. July 18: The New South Wales Food Authority reminds food businesses and food handlers that "... it is illegal for food handlers to handle food when they have gastric illness. It is also illegal for food businesses to knowingly have staff working if they have gastric illness."