Most E. coli outbreaks in the United States are linked to contaminated products that are distributed nationwide, such as the illnesses linked to Farm Rich frozen snack products. But some outbreaks have been linked to specific restaurants. There are currently two E. coli outbreaks associated with restaurants: the Bar-B-Q Shack outbreak in Toccoa, Georgia and the Coco Loco restaurant in College Station, Texas. In both of those current outbreaks, victims have been hospitalized and some have developed hemolytic uremic syndrome, a serious complication of an E. coli infection that can lead to kidney failure. Surprisingly, these are not the only E. coli restaurant outbreaks this year. Since January, there have been two other E. coli outbreaks associated with restaurants. In March 2013, an … [Read more...]
Bar-B-Q Shack E. Coli O157:H7 Outbreak: What Caused It?
The E. coli O157:H7 outbreak at the Bar-B-Q Shack in Toccoa, Georgia that has sickened at least 11 people remains a mystery. Public health officials are investigating the outbreak, but they have not determined what caused the illnesses. Seven of the ill persons have been hospitalized, and five unfortunately have developed hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a serious complication of a STEC infection that can cause kidney failure. That means this bacteria is especially virulent or that there were high numbers of the pathogenic bacteria in the contaminated food. Fred Pritzker, national food safety attorney, said about this outbreak, "In some restaurant outbreak cases, it’s not possible to identify the precise food product responsible for a person’s illness. For example, if you order a … [Read more...]
Bar-B-Q Shack E. Coli Outbreak: What’s the Multiplier?
The E. coli O157:H7 outbreak linked to the Bar-B-Q Shack in Toccoa, Georgia has sickened at least 11 people. Seven of the ill persons have been hospitalized. And five have developed hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a serious illness which can cause kidney failure. In most outbreaks, we know that illnesses are greatly underreported, because most people can recover from Salmonella or Vibrio infections without a doctor's help. But Shiga-toxin producing E. coli (STEC) infections are different. That pathogenic bacteria causes potentially deadly illness that can last for a long time. A study from the CDC found that duration of illness is the most important statistically significant symptom that increased both the probability of visiting a doctor and having a stool sample taken. Violent, … [Read more...]
