October 1999 — U.S. Edition

MEET THE BUGS Name Possible Symptoms (from most to least common) Foods that Have Caused Outbreaks How Soon it Typically Strikes How Soon it Typically Ends Campylobacter (toxin) diarrhea (can be bloody), fever, abdominal pain, nausea, headache, muscle pain   chicken, raw milk 2 to 5 days 7 to 10 days Ciguatera (bacteria) numbness, tingling, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, muscle pain, headache, temperature reversal (hot things feel cold and cold things feel hot), dizziness, muscular weakness, irregular heartbeat   grouper, barracuda, snapper, jack, mackerel, triggerfish within 6 hours several days (neurological symptoms can last for weeks or months) Clostridium botulinum (bacteria) marked fatigue; weakness; dizziness; double vision; difficulty speaking, swallowing, and breathing; abdominal distention   home-canned foods, sausages, meat products, commercially canned vegetables, seafood products 18 to 36 hours get treatment immediately Cyclospora (parasite) watery diarrhea, loss of appetite, weight loss, cramps, nausea, vomiting, muscle aches, low-grade fever, extreme fatigue   raspberries, lettuce, basil 1 week a few days to 30 days or more E. coli O157:H7 (bacteria) severe abdominal pain, watery (then bloody) diarrhea, occasionally vomiting   ground beef, raw milk, lettuce, sprouts, unpasteurized juices 1 to 8 days get treatment immediately Hepatitis A (virus) fever, malaise, nausea, loss of appetite, abdominal pain, jaundice shellfish, salads, cold cuts, sandwiches, fruits, vegetables, fruit juices, milk, milk products, infected food handlers   10 to 50 days 1 to 2 weeks Listeria (bacteria) fever, chills, and other flu-like symptoms; headache; nausea; vomiting; diarrhea; infections of the blood (septicemia); inflammation of the brain (encephalitis) or membranes of the brain or spinal cord (meningitis); spontaneous abortion or stillbirth   hot dogs, deli meats, raw milk, cheeses (particularly soft-ripened cheeses like feta, Brie, Camembert, blue-veined, or Mexican-style “queso blanco”), raw and cooked poultry, raw meats, ice cream, raw vegetables, raw and smoked fish   a few days to 3 weeks get treatment immediately Norwalk virus (virus) nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, headache, low-grade fever   shellfish salads, infected food handlers 1 to 2 days 1 to 2 1/2 days Salmonella (bacteria) nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramps, diarrhea, fever, headache   poultry, eggs, raw meats, milk and dairy products, fish, shrimp, sauces and salad dressings, cream-filled desserts and toppings, fresh produce (including sprouts)   6 hours to 2 days 1 to 2 days Scombrotoxin (toxin) tingling or burning sensation in the mouth, upper body rash, reduced blood pressure, headache, itching, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea   fresh tuna, mahi mahi, bluefish, sardines, mackerel, amberjack, abalone immediate to 30 minutes 3 hours to several days Vibrio para- haemolyticus (bacteria)   diarrhea, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, headache, fever, chills   raw oysters and clams, crabs, shrimp 4 hours to 4 days 2 1/2 days Vibrio vulnificus (bacteria) diarrhea (in healthy people), bloodstream infection (in people with liver disease, diabetes, or weak immune systems)   raw oysters and clams, crabs within 16 hours (diarrhea) get treatment immediately (bloodstream infection) Source: Centers for Disease Control, Center for Science in the Public Interest, Environmental Protection Agency, Food and Drug Administration, U.S. Department of Agriculture.