Petting zoos and other live animal exhibits can be the source of E.coli poisoning which can cause serious, sometimes life-ending illness for children. In 2013, at least two E.coli outbreaks were associated with petting zoos. Six children contracted E.coli infections, three of them developed hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a complication of E.coli infections in children that leads to kidney failure. A September E. coli outbreak sickened three children in Kentucky and Indiana who had visited Huber’s Orchard, Winery and Vineyards in Starlight, IN prior to becoming ill. All three children were hospitalized and DNA "fingerprinting" tests showed they were all sickened by the same strain of E.coli. Tests on environmental samples from Huber's did not yield positives of the outbreak … [Read more...]
Trader Joe’s E. coli Outbreak Ends With 33 Sick in 4 States
The E.coli outbreak linked to ready-to-eat salads made by Glass Onion Catering and sold at Trader Joe's stores has ended after sickening 33 people in four states, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced today. Seven people were hospitalized, two of whom developed hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). Public health investigators used epidemiologic and traceback investigations to link two ready-to-eat salads, Field Fresh Chopped Salad with Grilled Chicken and Mexicali Salad with Chili Lime Chicken, produced by Glass Onion Catering and sold at Trader Joe’s to illnesses in four states. By state the case count was as follows: Arizona (1), California (28), Texas (1), and Washington (3). On November 10, Glass Onion recalled numerous ready-to-eat salads and sandwich wrap … [Read more...]
FDA Cautions Consumers: Some Drugs Make E.coli Infections Worse
E.coli in salads sold at Trader Joe's, Whole Foods, Walgreens and other stores in Arizona, California, Nevada, Oregon and Washington has sickened 26 people and hospitalized six of them. Symptoms of an E.coli infection can be debilitating, but treating them some drugs can actually make the infection worse, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) cautions. Symptoms of an E.coli infection include abdominal cramps and diarrhea that is sometimes bloody. Symptoms can also include nausea, vomiting and fever. Symptoms usually develop three to four days after the exposure, but could appear in as short as 1 day or take as long as 10 days. Often, the symptoms begin mildy and worsen or several days. If you have eaten a recalled salad and have developed these symptoms, see your doctor and … [Read more...]
Two New E.coli Strains Cause Separate Outbreaks in California
Two strains of E. coli that have never been seen before are the source of two separate, ongoing food poisoning outbreaks in California, health officials told Food Poisoning Bulletin today. One of these new strains is the source of the multistate outbreak linked to ready-to-eat salads produced by Glass Onion Catering of Richmond, CA and sold at Trader Joe’s and other grocery stores in several states. The other new strain has sickened four people in Humboldt County, in Northern California. The multistate outbreak has sickened 22 people in California, one person in Arizona and three people in Washington. Six of those sickened, who range in age from four to 78 years old, have been hospitalized including two who have developed hemolytic uremic syndrome, a complication of E. coli … [Read more...]
The Porch Restaurant E. coli Outbreak Confirmed in Pittsburgh Area
The Porch Restaurant in the Oakland area of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, is at the center of an outbreak of E. coli O157:H7 food poisoning still under investigation by public health officials in the Keystone State. Dr. Karen Hacker, director of the Allegheny County Health Department, said 12 people have been confirmed as case patients in the outbreak while nine others have had "suggestive symptoms'' of toxic E. coli infections. Four of the first five known victims were hospitalized last month, when the outbreak was first detected. Hacker said four more restaurant customers were hospitalized, but that no further cases have been reported since the restaurant was approved to re-open on October 31. In a statement to reporters on Friday, Hacker said investigators have been unable to … [Read more...]
Girl With HUS From Petting Zoo E.coli Outbreak Faces Weeks In Hospital
An E.coli infection from a petting zoo visit has landed a seven-year-old girl in the hospital battling kidney failure. The girl, one of at least three children to contract E.coli infections after contact with the animals at Dehn's Pumpkins in Dayton, MN, developed hemoyltic uremic syndrome (HUS), a complication of some E.coli infections, and faces weeks in the hospital. The other children did not require hospitalization. About 15 percent of children with E. coli infections develop HUS, the leading cause of pediatric kidney failure in in the United States. Most cases are associated with E. coli O157:H7 , the strain identified in this outbreak. Treatment of HUS can last for weeks and includes blood transfusions, plasma exchange and kidney dialysis. Complications can include … [Read more...]
Marin County E.coli Outbreak Ends, 6 Sickened
An E. coli outbreak in Marin County, CA has ended after sickening six people, according to the latest update from the county. Public health officials declared the outbreak over after no new cases developed since mid-September. Although health officials were unable to determine a specific food source of the outbreak, they have said there isn't an ongoing risk. “There is no ongoing risk to the public's health,” said Dr. Matt Willis, Marin County Public Health Officer. Four of those sickened were children. Three of the case patients were residents of Tiburon, and one each was from in San Rafael, Inverness and San Anselmo. Four of the patients were children. Two adults and two children were hospitalized. All of them have been discharged. Each year, about 265,000 Americans are … [Read more...]
Federico’s E.coli Outbreak Preceded By Temp Control Problems
Prior to the E. coli outbreak associated with Federico's Mexican Food in Litchfield Park, AZ, the restaurant was cited repeatedly over the last three years for food storage temperature violations, Maricopa County records show. An E.coli outbreak that includes between 15 and 21 people is being investigated by officials at the Maricopa County Departments of Public Health and Environmental Services and the Arizona Department of Health Services who urge anyone who has bloody diarrhea to contact them. Bloody diarrhea is a signature symptom of E.coli infections. Other symptoms, which usually appear between two and five days, include abdominal cramps and vomiting. It's important to note that E.coli infections can be made worse through treatment with antibiotics and over-the-counter … [Read more...]
Federico’s E. coli Outbreak: What You Should Know
An E. coli outbreak associated with Federico's restaurant in Litchfield Park, AZ has sickened at least 77 people some of whom have been hospitalized. [Updated August 21.] The Maricopa County Departments of Public Health and Environmental Services and the Arizona Department of Health Services are investigating and ask anyone experiencing bloody diarrhea to seek medical care. E.coli poisoning can cause serious illness, here's what you need to know: Children are at particular risk with E.coli infections. Because their immune systems are not fully developed, children are at special risk with all food poisoning infections and related complications. With E.coli infections, the complications can be serious or life-threatening. About 15 percent of children under ten who contract an E. … [Read more...]
Federico’s Restaurant E. coli Outbreak in Litchfield Park, Arizona
Federico's Mexican Restaurant in Litchfield Park, Arizona, is at the center of an outbreak of E. coli O157:H7 that has sickened at least 11 to 15 people who ate there or purchased food from the establishment. The Maricopa County Departments of Public Health and Environmental Services in collaboration with the Arizona Department of Health Services are investigating and said in a news release that the outbreak appears to be linked to the Federico’s Mexican Restaurant located at 13132 W Camelback in Litchfield Park, about 20 miles west of downtown Phoenix. At least seven people have been hospitalized in the West Valley food poisoning outbreak. Several of the victims know each other. "So far, at least 11 of the 15 individuals with bloody diarrhea that MCDPH has been able to interview have … [Read more...]
