An E. coli O103 outbreak sickens 96 in 5 states, according to the CDC. The outbreak was first announced less than two weeks ago and the number of patients has more than quadrupled in 10 days. Eleven people have been hospitalized. No one has developed hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a type of kidney failure that is a complication of this illness
The investigation is still ongoing. No food, restaurant, grocery store, or other source has been identified. Previous reports had mentioned fast food restaurants as a possible source, in addition to foods such as ground beef. But the CDC is not recommending that consumers avoid any food or outlet.
The case count by state is: Georgia (17), Kentucky (46), Ohio (5), Tennessee (26), and Virginia (2). The patient age range is from 1 to 81 years, with a median age of 17. Eleven, or 16%, of patients have been hospitalized; that is low for an E.coli outbreak. Illness onset dates range from March 2, 2019 to March 26, 2019.
Attorney Fred Pritzker, who has represented many clients sickened with E. coli infections in lawsuits, said, “Even when you recover from this infection, there is still a risk you will develop a serious complication in the future.” Call 1-888-377-8900 for help.
Food safety attorney Fred Pritzker said, “This is one of the fastest-growing E. coli outbreaks in recent memory. We hope that officials find the source soon so it stops growing.”
State and local public health ofificlas are interviewing patients to see if they can identify a possible source to investigate. They ask patients what they ate the week before they got sick, and ask about other activities, such as visits to restaurants and grocery stores.
In this outbreak notice, the CDC is offering advice to patients. If you have been experiencing the symptoms of an E. coli infection, which include severe abdominal cramps and bloody diarrhea, talk to your doctor. Write down what you ate the week before you got sick. Your illness will be reported to the health department. And answer questions by investigators to help solve this outbreak.
The noted law firm Pritzker Hageman helps people who have been sickened by contaminated food protect their legal rights and get answers and compensation. Our lawyers help patients and families of children in personal injury and wrongful death lawsuits against schools, retailers, fast food chains, grocery stores, food processors, restaurants, and others. Attorney Fred Pritzker and his team won $7.5 million for a young client whose kidneys failed because he developed hemolytic uremic syndrome after an E. coli infection. You should know that class action lawsuits may not be appropriate for outbreak victims because each individual case is different.
