A Miguel’s Cocina 4S Ranch E. coli outbreak has sickened at least 13 people in San Diego, California, according to the County of San Diego Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA) officials. That restaurant is located at 10514 Craftsman Way in San Diego.
The pathogen that caused those illnesses is a Shiga toxin-producing E. coli strain (STEC). That means the bacteria produce a toxin called Shiga toxin that damages red blood cells and can cause kidney failure.
The County Health Department of Environmental Health and the county’s Epidemiology team are investigating the outbreak. The patient age range is from 6 to 87 years old. Seven people have been hospitalized. At least one person has developed hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), which is a type of kidney failure.
Those patients and their families reported eating at the Miguel’s Cocina 4S Ranch location from October 6 to October 18, 2023. Illness onset dates range from October 13 to October 19, 2023.
Wilma J. Wooten, M.D., M.P.H., county public health officer. said in a statement, “People who visited the restaurant and are feeling ill should see their doctor as soon as possible. We want them to get tested and have the results sent to the local health department. Those most at risk from infection are children, adults 65 and older and people with weakened immune systems.”
The specific food items that may have caused these illnesses are under investigation. The restaurant is cooperating and working closely with public health officials. The restaurant’s management decided to voluntarily close their facility until the source of the pathogen is identified.
County Environmental Health inspectors visited the restaurant on October 23, 2023, because some patients said they ate there before getting sick. During that inspection, no operational risk factors were identified.
Symptoms of a STEC infection usually appear three to four days after infection, although this can take as long as nine days. People usually suffer from a mild fever, possible nausea and vomiting, and the characteristic severe and painful abdominal cramps and diarrhea that is bloody.
In some patients, especially children under the age of five, a complication called hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) can occur. When red blood cells are destroyed, they travel to the kidney and clog small tubes in that organ, causing damage and even kidney failure. Symptoms of HUS include little or no urine output, easy bruising, lethargy, pale skin, and bleeding from the nose and mouth.
If you ate at that location of Miguel’s Cocina and have been ill with those symptoms, see your doctor. You may be part of this Miguel’s Cocina 4S Ranch E. coli outbreak.
If you have been sickened with a Shiga toxin-producing E. coli food poisoning infection after eating at Miguel’s Cocina 4S Ranch restaurant in San Diego, please contact our experienced attorneys for help with a possible lawsuit at 1-888-377-8900 or text us at 612-261-0856. Our firm represents clients in lawsuits against grocery stores, restaurants, and food processors.
