FDA, CDC step in after baby's death raises questions about formula

[Shiloh]

Source: http://edition.cnn.com/2011/12/22/us...all/?hpt=hp_t3

FDA, CDC step in after baby's death raises questions about formula
By the CNN Wire Staff
December 22, 2011 -- Updated 2306 GMT (0706 HKT)

(CNN) -- The Food and Drug Administration and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Thursday they are assisting in the investigation of a newborn baby who died of a rare bacterial infection that could be linked to powder-based infant formula.

The two agencies are also investigating the case of a second baby that died of the same bacteria in the past month, also in Missouri, but it was not clear whether the two cases were connected.

Late Wednesday, Wal-Mart Stores Inc. announced it had pulled from its outlets nationwide all cans of Enfamil Newborn powdered formula that matched the size and lot number of the formula involved in the fatal case...

[Pathfinder]

Re: FDA, CDC step in after baby's death raises questions about formula

A Message from the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services regarding the Cronobacter Sakazakii (formerly referred to as Enterobacter Sakazakii) Bacteria



The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services released the following statement on Dec. 22, 2011 regarding the Cronobacter Sakazakii (formerly referred to as Enterobacter sakazakii) case.

• Samples have been sent to the CDC and FDA labs and test results are pending.
• Until testing is completed it cannot be determined whether the illness is linked to Enfamil Newborn Formula 12.5 oz. cans Lot # ZP1K7G or an outside source.
• Consumers who have purchased formula with that lot number should discard the product or return it to the place of purchase.
• Officials at the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services are advising parents to continue to follow the World Health Organization Guidelines for the Safe Preparation, Storage and Handling of powdered infant formula.
• This includes washing your hands with soap and water, thoroughly sterilizing all feeding equipment in hot, soapy water and preparing enough formula for only one feeding at a time.
• Read the complete guidelines.

The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services is communicating with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Food and Drug and Administration and will not have any new information to release until testing has been completed by CDC and FDA.


In the meantime, media may contact the CDC or FDA media contacts listed below:

• Lola Russell, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, (404) 639-3286 or lrussell@cdc.gov.
• Siobhan Delancey, Food and Drug Administration, (301) 796-4668 or siobhan.delancey@fda.hhs.gov.

http://health.mo.gov/information/new...ment122211.php

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Re: FDA, CDC step in after baby's death raises questions about formula

More retailers pull formula after Missouri infant death



Updated: Dec 23, 2011 11:29 AM CST

COLUMBIA, MO(AP) - Several more national retailers have joined Wal-Mart Stores Inc. in pulling a batch of powdered infant formula from their shelves after a Missouri newborn who consumed it apparently died of a rare bacterial infection.

Officials at Supervalu Inc., Walgreen Co., Kroger Co. and Safeway said Friday they have removed cans of Enfamil Newborn with the lot number ZP1K7G from various stores across the country. They say it's a precaution until health officials complete tests on the formula.

More...

http://www.kait8.com/story/16374559/more-retailers-pull-formula-after-missouri-infant-death

[Missouriwatcher]

Re: FDA, CDC step in after baby's death raises questions about formula

UPDATE: Joint Statement by the FDA and CDC on Cronobacter Investigation
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: December 30, 2011, 6 p.m.

FDA and CDC Update: Investigation of Cronobacter Bacteria Illness in Infants

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and state health departments continue to investigate four recent cases of Cronobacter infection in infants in four states: Florida, Illinois, Missouri, and Oklahoma. There is currently no evidence that indicates the Cronobacter infections in these infants are related.

Based on test results to date, there is no need for a recall of infant formula and parents may continue to use powdered infant formula, following the manufacturer?s directions on the printed label.

The ongoing investigation includes laboratory testing of various types and brands of powdered infant formula, nursery water and, when available, clinical samples from the infants. The investigation also includes the inspection of manufacturing facilities for infant formula and nursery water.

The following results have been confirmed from completed laboratory tests, although additional lab results are pending release:

CDC?s laboratory conducted DNA fingerprinting of the bacteria from two recent cases of Cronobacter infection in infants (Missouri and Illinois). The results show that the Cronobacter bacteria differ genetically, suggesting that they are not related. (Bacteria from cases in Oklahoma and Florida are not available for analysis.)

CDC laboratory tests of samples provided by the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services found Cronobacter bacteria in an opened container of infant formula, an opened bottle of nursery water and prepared infant formula. It is unclear how the contamination occurred.

The FDA tested factory sealed containers of powdered infant formula and nursery water with the same lot numbers as the opened containers collected from Missouri and no Cronobacter bacteria were found.

The FDA has inspected the facilities that manufactured the infant formula and the nursery water that tested positive for Cronobacter bacteria. Those manufacturers have programs that test their products before they are distributed. The lots in question were tested and found negative for Cronobacter. There is currently no evidence to conclude that the infant formula or nursery water was contaminated during manufacturing or shipping.

The FDA, CDC and state agencies continue to investigate the cause of the infections using epidemiological and laboratory methods. Currently CDC and FDA laboratories are testing infant formula, water and other environmental samples related to the ill infants from Illinois and Oklahoma; the results are pending. Additional steps include: completion of inspections of manufacturers, additional laboratory testing of samples, and additional DNA fingerprinting investigation.

Last week, following single reports of Cronobacter illness in infants in Missouri and Illinois, CDC asked public health officials around the country to look for other cases of Cronobacter infection among infants. This generated reports to CDC of two additional cases, one in Oklahoma and the fourth recent case in Florida. The illnesses in these infants occurred in late November and early December. The infants in Missouri and Florida, tragically, died as a result of their infection, while the infants in Illinois and Oklahoma have survived.

Cronobacter is a very rare cause of a severe infection in young infants, and usually occurs in the first days or weeks of life. Typically CDC is informed of about 4-6 cases of Cronobacter a year. With recent increased awareness, CDC has been informed of a total of 12 cases in 2011.

Cronobacter causes severe bacterial sepsis or meningitis in infants, which often starts with fever, and usually includes poor feeding, crying or listlessness. Cronobacter illness is diagnosed by a laboratory culture.

Any young infant with these symptoms should be in the care of a physician. There is no need to test a child that is not sick. If a Cronobacter infection is diagnosed by a laboratory culture, CDC encourages clinicians and laboratories to inform their local or state health departments.

Cronobacter bacteria is found in the environment and in hospitals and homes. It can also multiply in powdered infant formula after the powder is mixed with water.
CDC recommends breastfeeding whenever possible. When using powdered infant formula, CDC and FDA advises that caregivers make up fresh formula each time they feed the baby and discard any leftovers. In addition, recommendations for how to prepare and use powdered infant formula more safely include:

wash your hands with soap and water before preparing the formula,
clean all feeding equipment in hot, soapy water,
prepare only enough formula for one feeding at a time and give it to the baby right away, and
follow the manufacturer?s directions on the printed label.

http://www.fda.gov/NewsEvents/PublicHealthFocus/ucm285401.htm