Guatemalan public health officials have issued a warning that 40 people have fallen ill after eating dairy products.
The Ministry of Public Health and Social Assistance reported that 41 people got food poisoning after eating artisanal cheese in the town of Ciudad Vieja, Sacatepequez province.
The first case was detected on August 9th. People who had eaten fresh cheese were treated for abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting.
Authorities have advised locals to avoid consuming dairy products without knowing their origin and to check product labels to ensure they are made with pasteurized milk. Actions should be taken at least until an investigation is completed to identify the source of the current outbreak and prevent more people from getting sick.
They also recommended that the public strengthen hygiene practices such as hand washing, correct preparation, food handling and storage, and seek medical attention if they feel unwell.
Spanish salmonella warning
Meanwhile, public health officials in Madrid, Spain, called on people to be careful with foods containing eggs to avoid contracting salmonella.
The temperature is high in summer, so be careful of food poisoning. Illnesses caused by salmonella are often associated with the use of eggs in products such as tortillas and mayonnaise, also known as Spanish omelets.
Since the beginning of 2022, the region has recorded 10 outbreaks, affecting 53 people and hospitalizing 5, according to surveillance data. Most infections have occurred in catering establishments, with 7 outbreaks and 39 cases reported.
The foods involved are almost all made with eggs, cooked in tortillas and the like, or consumed raw in mayonnaise and desserts, officials said.
They also said good hygiene measures such as washing hands and using clean utensils can prevent infection. Advice includes not washing eggs and storing them in the refrigerator.
Tortillas should be prepared and thoroughly cooked and eaten immediately or stored properly. Mayonnaise should be made with pasteurized eggs, but if raw eggs are used, they should be prepared immediately before consumption, stored in the refrigerator, and not leftovers.
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