An organic yogurt E. coli outbreak that includes 11 confirmed cases in Washington now also includes a secondary food poisoning case in Arizona, a health department spokesperson told Food Poisoning Bulletin today. The patient, a 2-year-old girl, did not eat the yogurt but appears to have been exposed to the bacteria by a relative visiting from Washington. She did not require hospitalization. The E. coli O157:H7 outbreak has been linked to grass-fed, organic yogurt made by Pure Eire Dairy of Othello, WA. It was sold under the brand name PCC at PCC Community Markets and the brand name Pure Eire at Super 1 Foods, Andy’s Market and Blue Valley Meats in Walla Walla County and elsewhere. PCC and Pure Eire have both issued yogurt recalls. In addition to 8-oz and 16-oz containers of yogurt, … [Read more...]
HUS Study Finds Nitrogen to Creatinine Ratio Accurate Predictor of Outcome
A study published in the European Journal of Pediatrics has found that blood urea nitrogen (BUN) to serum creatinine ratio is an accurate way to predict outcome in patients with diarrhea-associated hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), which is most often caused by ingesting Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC). Identifying the tests that predict a poor outcome could help doctors intervene in a timely manner. The study looked at how accurately the BUN-to-sCreatinine ratio determined upon admission predicts patient outcome. What is the BUN-to-sCreatinine ratio? Blood urea nitrogen is a test that measures the amount of nitrogen in the blood from urea that is produced by the liver and filtered out of the blood by the kidneys. Serum creatinine is a waste product produced by muscle … [Read more...]
E. coli Wrongful Death Case Settled for $1 Million
An E. coli wrongful death lawsuit filed in behalf of a 2-year-old boy who died from an E. coli infection he contracted at his daycare center has been settled for $1 million. Myles Mayfield, 2, of Greenwood, South Carolina died May 31, 2015 from hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a complication of E. coli infections that causes kidney failure. A teacher at the daycare center got sick in early May of 2015 and was subsequently notified by the South Carolina Department of Health & Environmental Control that she had tested positive for E. coli, according to the lawsuit. Deposition testimony revealed that daycare directors were aware of the teacher’s positive E. coli test and took no action. Violating state regulations, they allowed her to continue working and did not notify the … [Read more...]
Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome: The Danger E. coli Poses for Children
Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome (HUS) is a life-threatening complication of E. coli infections that primarily affects young children. HUS causes kidney failure, seizure, stroke, coma and death. Because March is Kidney Month, it’s a good time to learn the risks and symptoms of HUS. With about 7,500 cases reported n the United States each year, HUS from E. coli infections is the most common cause of serious kidney injury in children and the most common cause of E. coli deaths. And most E. coli infections in children are caused by contaminated food or drinks. E. coli outbreaks have been linked to hamburger, mechanically tenderized steak, lettuce, spinach, sprouts, raw milk, raw cheese, unpasteurized apple cider, strawberries, hazelnuts, frozen pizza and other frozen food products, cookie … [Read more...]
Pizza Ranch Linked to Multistate E. coli Outbreak
Updated March 16, 2016. A multistate E. coli outbreak has been linked to food served at Pizza Ranch restaurants. The outbreak includes five cases in Minnesota and one in Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Nebraska, North Carolina, New Jersey, South Dakota, and Wisconsin. The illnesses took place between December 2015 and February 2016. Because the last case was reported February 9, the outbreak is considered over, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Two children were hospitalized with hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) a complication of E. coli infections that causes kidney failure, seizure, stroke, coma and death. HUS most often affects children under 10. Dough used to make desserts is the suspected source of the outbreak. But, health officials have not yet … [Read more...]
CDC Aids in Investigation of Deadly E. coli Outbreak at Oxford County Fair in Maine
Maine Health officials have enlisted the help of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in determining the source of a September E. coli outbreak at the Oxford County Fair that sickened two small boys, killing one of them. Both toddlers developed E. coli O111 infections after attending the fair, their parents believe the petting zoo was the source of contamination. The boys were both sickened by the same strain of E. coli O111, meaning their infections came from the same source. State health officials performed a number of tests on samples taken from the fair but were unable to establish a link. As a federal agency, the CDC has better technology and will be able to conduct more thorough testing, a health official told a local publication. Little Colton Guay, who was … [Read more...]
Oxford County Fair E. coli Outbreak: Hand Sanitizers Were Empty
The father of Colton Guay, the 20-month-old boy who died from an E. coli infection he contracted at the Oxford County Fair, told WMTW that hand sanitizer dispensers at the fair were empty. The family used their own hand sanitizers, "but look what happened," he told the station. Little Colton was one of two young boys who got E. coli infections after attending the fair. Both of them developed hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a complication of E. coli infections that causes kidney failure, seizure, stroke, coma and death. Myles Herschaft, 17 months, remains hospitalized at the Maine Medical Center. State health officials said both boys were sickened by the same strain of E. coli O111 - meaning their infections came from the same source. It is not yet known if that source was the … [Read more...]
E. coli Outbreaks at Fairs Are Fairly Common
High temperatures, lack of hand washing facilities, live animals and food are a risky mix that make E. coli outbreaks at summertime fairs pretty common. The latest example is the Red River Valley Fair in West Fargo, ND. Three children developed E. coli infections after attending the fair. One of them was hospitalized with hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a life-threatening complication that develops in about 15 percent of pediatric E. coli cases. Health officials have not yet determined the source of the contamination. Often it's a petting zoo or animal exhibit. But a fair official told WDAZ that there was no petting zoo at the fair and that food vendors are not allowed near the animal exhibits. Contaminated food could also have been the source. Not every local fare has good … [Read more...]
Red River Valley Fairgoer Stricken With E. coli HUS
Three children who attended the Red River Valley Fair in West Fargo, North Dakota have E. coli infections. One of them has been hospitalized with a life-threatening complication, hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). About 15 percent of children with E. coli infections develop HUS, which causes kidney failure. Children with HUS often experience problems with their central nervous systems such as seizure and stroke. North Dakota health officials have not yet determined the source of the bacteria at the fair held July 7-12, 2015. Some possibilities include undercooked ground beef or other meats, contaminated produce or sprouts and contact with animals at petting zoos or other animal exhibits. All three children did report having contact with animals, but health officials are looking at all … [Read more...]
North Dakota E. coli Outbreak at Red River Valley Fair
An E. coli outbreak at the Red River Valley Fair in West Fargo is being investigated by the North Dakota Department of Health. Three children, all under the age of 18, are sick with this bacteria. The fair was held July 7 through July 12, 2015. One of the children has been diagnosed with hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a serious complication of a shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) infection. With HUS, red blood cells are damaged by shiga toxins. Those faulty cells then travel to the kidneys and cause damage that can lead to kidney failure. Michelle Feist, an epidemiologist with the Division of Disease Control said in a statement, "we are in the early stages of this investigation and are asking people who become sick with diarrhea or bloody diarrhea for more than 24 hours, within … [Read more...]
