Illinois

Health Crisis | Coronavirus Spreads in US, Outside Areas

/ NW Fire Blog (TM)

The United States has confirmed and added a fifth infected person with the coronavirus that has killed at least 50 in China, where the virus was originally reported and now spreading inside our American borders.   There is a case reported in Sydney, Australia as well.

The virus, 2019 Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV) is classified by the CDC (US Center for Disease Control), as an unidentified respiratory first discovered in Wuhan, Hebei Province, China.  Symptoms include: mild to severe respiratory illness with fever1, cough, and difficulty breathing.

“The virus probably originally emerged from an animal source but now seems to be spreading from person-to-person. It’s important to note that person-to-person spread can happen on a continuum. Some viruses are highly contagious (like measles), while other viruses are less so. It’s not clear yet how easily 2019-nCoV spreads from person-to-person. When person-to-person spread has occurred with MERS and SARS, it is thought to have happened mainly via respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes, similar to how influenza and other respiratory pathogens spread. Spread of MERS and SARS between people has generally occurred between close contacts.” – CDC

There are about 1,000 confirmed cases reported in China.

Five cases have been identified in Arizona, California, Illinois and Washington as of January 26, 2020.

The CDC provides a list of Q&A regarding this dangerous virus.  You can visit their site and read up on how to protect yourself. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/about/prevention-treatment.html

These patients recently traveled to China.

Health organizations are saying that the general public is not in harm’s way and those that have been infected are being treated.  Their conditions are improving and are being treated in a confined area.

We will provide additional details as they are received.

(c) 2020 NW Fire Blog – 1810 hours PST

FDA PRODUCT RECALL: Mars Theater Chocolate due to Undeclared Peanut Butter

/ NW Fire Blog (TM)

Contact
Consumer:
1-800-627-7852

Media:
1-973-691-3536

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – September 19, 2014 – Today, Mars Chocolate North America announced a voluntary recall of its M&M’S® Brand Theater Box 3.40 oz UPC #40000294764 with the following lot numbers:

See Website for Lot #s:  http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm415490.htm

Outside carton label, Milk Chocolate M&M's 3.40 oz

This theater box item within these lot codes may contain product containing peanut butter without listing on the ingredient label on the outside cardboard box.  The inside package is correctly labelled with ingredients and allergy information.

People who have allergies to peanuts run the risk of serious or life-threatening allergic reaction if their theater box contains an inner M&Ms Brand Peanut Butter bag and they consume the product.  No adverse reactions have been reported to date.

iOutside carton image of side panel label -- Milk Chocolate M&M’s 3.40 oz

The issue was identified after a consumer notifed us of a M&M’S® Brand Peanut Butter package containing peanut butter M&M’S® inside a M&M’S® Brand Milk Chocolate Theater Box.

These specific lot codes were shipped and distributed to our customers’ warehouses between May 8 and July 1, 2014, located in:  NC, TX, MN, IL, FL, KY, MS, AZ, GA, AI, CA NJ, PA, WA NY, CO, MO, MI, NH, CT, TN, MD, SC, OH, ME, VA, RI, WI, WV, IA, LA, OK, MA, NE, OK, AR, VT, ID and IN .   These customers then redistribute products for retail sale nationwide.

The M&M’S® Brand Milk Chocolate Theater Box comes in a 3.40 oz brown, 3 inch x 6.5 inch cardboard box  stamped on the right-hand side panel with the lot number and best before date.

Potential inside package -label - Peanut Butter M&M's 3.20 oz

Mars Chocolate will work with retail customers to ensure that the recalled product is not on store shelves.  In the event that consumers believe they have purchased this item and have allergy concerns, they should return this product to the store where they purchased it for a full refund.  Consumers with questions or concerns may call our toll-free number:   1-800-627-7852. This number will be operational Monday through Friday, 8:30 am to 5:00 pm (EST).

Source: FDA.gov

2014 The NW Fire Blog