At least 140 inmates at an Illinois prison were sickened with Norovirus infections this week, according to local news reports. The outbreak struck inmates at the The Stateville Correctional Center in Joliet, IL, a maximum security facility for men. The first victims fell ill Christmas Day, according to local news station CBS 2. “The Department of Corrections and the Department of Public Health have already started working on outbreak and control efforts,” spokeswoman Melaney Arnold of the Department of Corrections told CBS 2. Sick inmates have been separated from the others in order to prevent the spread of the virus. Samples have been collected from patients and are being sent to the state health lab for analysis. Norovirus is a food and waterborne pathogen transmitted through fecal matter. The virus spreads easily from person to person, especially in enclosed environments such as cruise ships. Symptoms usually appear 24 to 48 hours after exposure to the virus (but can occur earlier), and include diarrhea, vomiting and nausea and abdominal pain. The illness usually resolves itself within a couple days, although patients should drink liquids to avoid dehydration.
The News Desk team at Food Safety News covers breaking developments, regulatory updates, recalls, and key topics shaping food safety today. These articles are produced collaboratively by our editorial staff.
This is part 1 of a 3-part series.
An unlicensed meat producer and poor hygiene at a restaurant played a role in a Salmonella outbreak in an Australian state,
Almost 500 people were sick in a major E. coli outbreak in Germany in 2025, according to recently released figures from a regional State Office for Health and Social Affairs.
The root cause of a large E. coli outbreak in the United Kingdom in 2024 remains unknown with authorities warning a re-emergence is possible.
Almost 300 people fell ill
Coaticook brand white cheddar cheeses are being recalled in Canada because of contamination with Listeria monocytogenes.
There are 33 products covered by the recall. The products were distributed in Quebec.
Highline brand organic mini Bella sliced mushrooms are being recalled in Canada because of contamination with Listeria monocytogenes.
The recall was triggered by test results from the Canadian Food Inspection
Reports of food poisoning linked to a food truck are being investigated at a music festival in England.
Several people said on social media that they fell ill after eating
