The outbreak of E. coli O157:H7 at Federico’s Mexican Restaurant at 13132 W. Camelback in Litchfield Park, Arizona has now sickened at least 68 people. Twenty-three people have been hospitalized and several are experiencing renal failure, according to public health officials.
Those people have either eaten at that restaurant or purchased food from the facility. Two children have hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a complication of a Shiga toxin-producing E. coli bacteria (STEC) infection that can cause kidney failure. The Maricopa County Health Department wants anyone who is experiencing the symptoms of an E. coli infection to contact them at 602-747-7500.
If you or anyone you know has eaten at this restaurant on or after July 23, 2013 and experienced the symptoms of an E. coli infection, including bloody and/or watery diarrhea, severe abdominal and stomach cramps, nausea, vomiting, and fever, see your doctor as soon as possible. The Maricopa County Health Department is also warning health care providers to not treat anyone with these symptoms with antibiotics, as that can increase the risk of HUS development.
