A 3-year-old Washington girl has died from an E. coli infection. Brooklyn Hoksbergen was admitted to Children's Hospital Wednesday and passed away on Friday. Her family does not know how she contracted the infection. Health authorities are investigating. At this point, they do not think Brooklyn's death is related to two other E. coli cases on the Oregon coast. Brad Sutton, 5, and his friend Serena Profitt, 4, spent Labor Day weekend together and became ill a few days later. Brad is on dialysis at Mary Bridge Children's Hospital. Serena died Monday at Doernbecher Children’s Hospital. E.coli is transmitted when contaminated food or water is ingested, or through contact with farm animals. Children under 10 are at special risk for E.coli infections because their immune systems … [Read more...]
E. coli Leaves 1 Child Dead, Another Fighting for Life
Brad Sutton, 5, and his friend Serena Profitt, 4, went swimming and shared a restaurant sandwich on Labor Day weekend. Days later, both children became gravely ill with E.coli infections. Now Brad is on dialysis fighting for his life and both families are mourning the loss of Serena who died on Monday at Doernbecher Children’s Hospital. Both children developed hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) a complication of E.coli infections that leads to kidney failure. HUS, which generally occurs around the eighth day after of an E. coli infection, most often affects young children. About 15 percent of children under ten who contract an E. coli infection develop HUS. In addition to kidney failure, HUS can cause blindness, convulsions, heart attack, seizures, stroke and coma. Dialysis is one of … [Read more...]
Rice County Fair E. coli Cases Dominate Petting Zoo Outbreak
The Rice County Fair in Faribault, Minnesota, is where five people contracted E. coli poisoning in an outbreak that infectious disease experts from the Minnesota Department of Health have traced to a traveling petting zoo. The Rice County cluster of E. coli O157:H7 illnesses expanded to a total of seven case patients -- more than half of the outbreak total -- when the pathogen spread from an infected person or persons to two secondary case patients. Infection with E. coli O157:H7 is the primary cause of hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), the most common cause of kidney failure in children in this country. This syndrome usually involves prolonged hospital stays and is fatal in up to 5 percent of cases. In the Minnesota E. coli outbreak linked to Zerebko Zoo Tran traveling petting zoo, … [Read more...]
Kansas E. coli Outbreak Vexes Investigators
An E.coli outbreak that includes seven people in Kansas has health investigators searching for answers. Four of those sickened developed a severe complication of E.coli infections called hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) and were hospitalized. Three of them are children. The cases were reported from four counties- Nemaha, Cowley, Harvey and Sedgwick. Some of those sickened attended the same event. Health officials have not yet identified the source of the outbreak but have determined that it is not part of the multistate E.coli outbreak linked ground beef produced by Wolverine Packing Company of Detroit. At least 11 people are part of that four-state E.coli O157 outbreak: five in Michigan, four in Ohio, 1 in Missouri and 1 in Massachusetts. A recall for almost 2 million pounds of ground … [Read more...]
After E. coli Death and Illness, MN Town Rallies To Help Family
A benefit for the Odens family of Pelican Rapids, Minn. will be held Friday, June 6, at 5 p.m. at Faith Lutheran Church, Pelican Rapids. The Odens only child, Sophia, died from complications stemming from an E.coli infection in February. She was four. Sophia's mother, Karen, was sickened by the same strain of E.coli O157:H7. She spent more than a month in the hospital including 14 days in intensive care where she received dialysis and plasma exchange. She has continuing health problems and may need a kidney transplant. The source of the infection has not yet been determined. Medical bills for the family total more than $1 million. The Odens have insurance but are responsible for 20 percent of the cost. The fundraiser to help them will start at the church at 5, p.m., then move to the … [Read more...]
Bake Sale and Poker Shoot Fundraiser For GA Girl With E.coli HUS
The community of Canton, GA is rallying around the family of little girl who has been hospitalized for three weeks with hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) a life-threatening condition that develops from E. coli infections. The community has already started a gofundme campaign for Hannah Collett who spent her seventh birthday hospitalized in critical condition. Now Armed American Ladies, a Cherokee County Women's Gun Club, has organized a fundraising event to help her. On May 23 form 11 to & a Big Woods Goods there will be a poker shoot and bake sale. Particpation in the poker shoot is $15. The proceeds will got to help Hannah's family. The source of Hannah's E.coli infection is not known. Food poisoning from E. coli is often associated with undercooked meat, raw fruits and … [Read more...]
E. coli HUS Strikes Four in Kansas
Four people in Kansas have been diagnosed with Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome (HUS) a life-threatening condition arising from some E.coli infections that causes kidney failure, KCTV is reporting. The source of the illnesses is unknown at this time. HUS usually affects children and teens but it adults can develop it, too. One of the case patients is a 20-year-old woman who was hospitalized and released. About 5 percent of people with E.coli infections will develop HUS which causes damage to and premature destruction of red blood cells which clog the kidneys preventing their ability to filter blood. Treatment of HUS includes dialysis, plasma exchange and blood transfusions. Long-term complications of HUS include kidney problems and high blood pressure. … [Read more...]
E. coli HUS Hospitalizes 6-Year-Old Girl in Cherokee County GA
A 6-year-old girl from Canton, GA has been hospitalized for eight days fighting a life-threatening complication of an E. coli infection, according to WSB-TV. The complication, hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), causes kidney failure. The little girl is on a ventilator and undergoing dialysis treatments. The girl's parents are hoping people in the community will donate blood or platelets to help their child. Those who are interested can contact the station for more information. Health officials don't know the source of the E. coli infection. Food poisoning from E. coli is often associated with undercooked meat, raw fruits and vegetables, an unpasteurized juices or dairy products. Another common source E.coli infections are animal exhibits or petting zoos. HUS, which most often … [Read more...]
Blood Drive For OK Boy Battling E. coli HUS Kidney Failure
The Oklahoma Blood Institute is holding a special blood drive for eight-year-old Connor Sneary, one of the youngest victims of an E. coli outbreak associated with the Oklahoma Youth Expo. A dozen people became sick after attending the event held in March at the Oklahoma state fairgrounds. Sneary and another child, who is two years old, have both been hospitalized with hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a life-threatening complication of E. coli infections in young children that causes kidney failure and other complications. Sneary is undergoing dialysis and blood transfusions in the intensive care unit at OU Children's Hospital, according to local news reports. He is in critical condition. The blood drive for him will be held on Tuesday, April 8, from noon to 6 p.m., at the First … [Read more...]
E. coli Outbreak in Windham, Willimantic CT Sickens 7
An E.coli outbreak in Windham CT has sickened seven people, two of whom developed hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) a complication of some E.coli infections that leads to kidney failure. Winham is located in the north central part of the state, about 28 miles from Hartford. Officials from the North Central District Health Department told WFSB news that they believe those who were sickened were exposed to the bacteria between mid and late December. A source of the outbreak has not yet been identified. E.coli poisoning occurs when microscopic amounts of fecal matter are ingested. Sometimes this is from a food handler with poor hygiene, sometimes it is from contact with animals at petting zoos or sometimes contaminated food is sold at grocery stores or farmers' markets. Symptoms of an … [Read more...]
