Investigating and Responding to an Outbreak of Diamond ShruumzTM -Related Illnesses, 2024, Georgia
Abstract
In June 2024, The Georgia DPH Drug Surveillance Unit (DSU) received reports of severe acute illness and adverse effects following the consumption of Diamond ShruumzTM brand mushroom-infused chocolate bars, cones, and gummies from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Georgia Poison Control (GPC). In response the DSU launched an investigation to find additional cases, interview those affected, and contact retailers to ensure the recalled products were no longer being sold and to prevent additional people from becoming ill.
In total, 175 illnesses were reported to the CDC from 33 states. Georgia reported the highest count of cases, with 21 cases of moderate or major illness in a person who ate any Diamond ShruumzTM product or another chocolate product containing mushrooms, including 8 hospitalizations, and 1 death. Cases were reported as occurring as far back as January 2024, with cases hitting a peak in mid-June followed by a drop-off mid-July, following a product recall issued on June 27th. Throughout the investigation, the DSU utilized EMS and ED admissions data to find additional cases not reported by the GPC and conducted 11 case interviews to collect information on symptoms, medical history, and product consumption history. Toxicological testing conducted by the FDA with samples from other states found several notable compounds in 19 samples, including a prescription medication and a Schedule I-controlled substance.
Existing surveillance methods relied on ED admissions data to detect outbreaks and did not initially detect these anomalies due to limited details on substance and circumstance. The DSU expanded surveillance methods to better utilize EMS data which enabled more thorough case finding. Additionally, cases of people experiencing negative effects after consuming similar products were detected that did not meet the outbreak case definition, indicating surveillance methods needed to be expanded to better detect non-opioid substances.
Keywords
Surveillance, Epidemiology, Collaboration, Food Safety
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Investigating and Responding to an Outbreak of Diamond ShruumzTM -Related Illnesses, 2024, Georgia
In June 2024, The Georgia DPH Drug Surveillance Unit (DSU) received reports of severe acute illness and adverse effects following the consumption of Diamond ShruumzTM brand mushroom-infused chocolate bars, cones, and gummies from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Georgia Poison Control (GPC). In response the DSU launched an investigation to find additional cases, interview those affected, and contact retailers to ensure the recalled products were no longer being sold and to prevent additional people from becoming ill.
In total, 175 illnesses were reported to the CDC from 33 states. Georgia reported the highest count of cases, with 21 cases of moderate or major illness in a person who ate any Diamond ShruumzTM product or another chocolate product containing mushrooms, including 8 hospitalizations, and 1 death. Cases were reported as occurring as far back as January 2024, with cases hitting a peak in mid-June followed by a drop-off mid-July, following a product recall issued on June 27th. Throughout the investigation, the DSU utilized EMS and ED admissions data to find additional cases not reported by the GPC and conducted 11 case interviews to collect information on symptoms, medical history, and product consumption history. Toxicological testing conducted by the FDA with samples from other states found several notable compounds in 19 samples, including a prescription medication and a Schedule I-controlled substance.
Existing surveillance methods relied on ED admissions data to detect outbreaks and did not initially detect these anomalies due to limited details on substance and circumstance. The DSU expanded surveillance methods to better utilize EMS data which enabled more thorough case finding. Additionally, cases of people experiencing negative effects after consuming similar products were detected that did not meet the outbreak case definition, indicating surveillance methods needed to be expanded to better detect non-opioid substances.
