Argentine authorities have confirmed an outbreak of leptospirosis and salmonella, with two deaths.
Authorities in Buenos Aires have reported four adults hospitalized in the city of Berazategui in early 2023. Salmonella and Shigella were detected in deceased cases, and Salmonella typhimurium was detected in one patient. Leptospirosis was also confirmed in two of her cases under investigation.
The two deaths were two men aged 48 and 36. The 40-year-old patient was discharged at the end of January and the 47-year-old patient is recovering.
Initial investigations found that all patients had recently eaten meat, offal and other meat products. Officials said this led them to suspect common foods as the source of the outbreak.
In two cases there was a link to a butcher shop. However, testing of the seized product was negative for Salmonella, E. coli and Shigella. In another patient, one food sample was positive for Salmonella.
Samples were sent to the National Food Safety and Quality Service (SENASA) and the National Food Research Institute (INAL) for analysis. Berazategui’s authorities also closed one of his butcher shops, citing sanitary problems.
The bacteria that cause leptospirosis are spread through the urine of infected animals, enter water and soil, and persist for weeks to months. Humans can become infected by ingesting contaminated food or water.
official control results
Meanwhile, Argentine national officials have reported the consequences of some restrictions on fruit and meat.
Twice, police seized kiwi trucked in without corroborating health documents showing previous quarantine procedures for fruit flies.
In another operation in February, SENASA helped seize sausages and other goods in the Bella Vista area. Officials said the products were unfit for consumption and endangered public health, so they were destroyed.
Authorities found an unrefrigerated van carrying 400 kilograms (882,000 pounds) of fresh sausage, 20 kilograms (44 pounds) of fish and dairy containers, violating both sanitary certification and the cold chain. I have not.
Authorities also stopped the sale of 900 kilograms (1,980 pounds) of meat that was transported in a separate van without refrigeration facilities.The lack of documentation meant the meat was confiscated and destroyed. The driver was heading to Villa Manzano, in the state of Rio Negro, where he could face criminal charges for public health violations.
Finally, approximately 6,000 kilograms (13,200 pounds) of crustaceans were blocked after routine inspection due to missing documentation and irregularities in transit. The product arrives from the city of San Antonio Oeste and heads to Buenos Aires.
Further testing revealed that most of the oysters shipped were safe, but 1,800 kilograms (3,970 pounds) of oysters lacked identification labels and supporting documentation. For this reason, the authorities confiscated and destroyed the entire shipment.
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