After a recall for potential E. coli contamination prompted a temporary suspension of raw milk sales, Pure Eire Dairy of Othello, Washington plans to restart raw milk sales this week. The recall was issued June 6, for all raw milk distributed throughout eastern Washington with an expiration date of June 8 or later. E. coli can cause serious, life-threatening illness. In some cases, a condition called hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), which leads to kidney failure can develop. Children are at special risk. There are at least three current E.coli outbreaks where patients have developed HUS. One in Wellesley Mass. one in Toccoa Ga and one in Lomabrd, Ill. Food sources for these outbreaks is not raw milk, but other food sources which have not yet been determined. Thorough cooking and … [Read more...]
Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome from E. coli O157 Infection Hits 3 in Massachusetts, Wellesley Grocery Store Connection Rumored
Three people in Massachusetts have been hospitalized with hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a form of kidney failure that can lead to stroke, heart attack, pancreatitits and other serious health problems. All three of these cases of HUS were caused by the same strain of E. coli O157:H7 bacteria. This means that the 3 HUS victims first contracted E. coli O157 infections, most likely from contaminated food, and then developed HUS, according to Fred Pritzker, a nationally known E. coli lawyer. "Rumors have been circulating that the cause of the illnesses has been linked to a local supermarket. At this point, no local supermarkets are a focus of the investigation," according to the Wellesley Health Department (WDH). If a grocery store is involved in the outbreak, the E. coli-HUS victims and … [Read more...]
HUS from E. coli Strikes 3 in Wellesley, Massachussets
Three Massachusetts women have been hospitalized with hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a serious, sometimes life-threatening condition that develops after some E. coli infections, local public health authorities are reporting. The women, who range in age from 41 to 53, were all infected with the same strain of E. coli O157:H7 and were admitted to the hospital between May 20 and June 11. One of the women was admitted with colitis from an E.coli infection and developed HUS at the hospital. Another woman who was admitted with an E.coli infection developed HUS while at the hospital And the third woman had already developed HUS when she was admitted to the hospital. E.coli O157:H7 produces a shiga toxins that cause blood cells to become misshapen. These misshapen cells clog the filtration … [Read more...]
Georgia E. coli Outbreak Associated With BBQ Shack: 11 Sick, 5 with HUS
Seven people have been hospitalized in a Georgia E.coli outbreak associated with BBQ Shack in Toccoa that has sickened 11 people. Five of them are being treated for hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a complication of E. coli infections that can be life-threatening. Health officials say 10 of the 11 people sickened ate at the BBQ Shack the weekend of May 2-4, 2013 and that no other commonalities were reported. Ten of the patients are from Georgia and one is from South Carolina. Between May 4 to May 8, 2013, they all developed symptoms of an E.coli infection, which include diarrhea that can be bloody and abdominal cramps. Officials from the North Health District, and the Stephens County Health Department continue to investigate E. coli O157:H7 illnesses which all occurred during early … [Read more...]
E. coli Outbreak Sickens Five in Brazos County Texas
An E.coli outbreak in Texas has sickened at least five people including two young boys who have both been hospitalized, according to health officials from the Brazos County Health Department. The boys, brothers who are both under the age of five, are being treated at Texas Children’s Hospital in Houston. In a news conference this morning, Dr. Eric Wilke from the Brazos County Health Department said five cases have been confirmed through laboratory testing and three others are pending. The five case patients were all sickened by the same strain of E. coli O157:H7. None of the other patients was hospitalized. Young children are among those most at risk with E.coli infections. Hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a serious complication of E. coli poisoning that leads to kidney failure, most … [Read more...]
World Kidney Day News: Food Poisoning Can Cause Kidney Damage
Today is World Kidney Day and the National Institutes of Health (NIH) is raising awareness of kidney health with new research that shows survivors of acute kidney injury are at increased risk of developing permanent kidney damage which can result in decreased kidney function. "We now know acute kidney injury is not the isolated or temporary condition we once believed it to be. However, in many cases, it is preventable and treatable," said Griffin P. Rodgers, M.D., director of NIH’s National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. "We must continue to support research to help us better understand the connection between acute kidney injury and chronic kidney disease, to prevent acute kidney injury in those at risk, and to identify and treat the condition when it does … [Read more...]
Two E. coli Outbreaks In New York Unrelated, Officials Say
An E. coli outbreak linked to spinach sold at Wegmans grocery stores in New York that has sickened 19 people in five counties in the western part of the state is not related to a September outbreak in the same area, Jeffrey Hammond, a spokesman for the New York State Department of Health told Food Poisoning Bulletin. The spinach E. coli outbreak that since mid-October has sickened 19 people who range in age from 6 to 60 and live in Erie, Monroe, Niagara, Steuben, and Wayne counties is not related to an E. coli outbreak in Livingston and Onondaga counties that sickened 10 people in September, Hammond said. A food source for the September outbreak was never determined, but testing has ruled out that outbreaks are related. E. coli poisoning can cause severe abdominal cramps and diarrhea … [Read more...]
Spinach Recall And NY E. coli Outbreak, FDA And CDC Join Investigation
The Wegmans recall of spinach and spring mix salad greens has been linked to an E. coli outbreak in New York that is now being investigated by federal as well as state health officials. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced today that it is collaborating with the New York State Department of Health, the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to investigate the outbreak that has sickened at least 16 people in New York. The spinach recall includes Wegmans Food You Feel Good About Organic Spinach & Spring Mix sold in 5 ounce and 11 ounce plastic clamshell containers at its stores in six states: Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania and Virginia. "Test results indicate that … [Read more...]
North Carolina Cleveland County Fair E. coli Outbreak Grows to 101 Patients
The Division of Public Health of the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services is investigating the E. coli outbreak among people who visited the Cleveland County Fair in September and early October. As of 1:00 p.m. October 24, 2012, 62 children and 39 adults are ill with the outbreak strain of the bacteria. Thirteen people have been or are currently hospitalized. One child has died from the infection. The case counts are as follows: Cleveland County (59), Gaston County (14, including 1 death), Lincoln County (14), Catawba County (2), Union County (2), Rutherford (6), York County South Carolina (2), and Cherokee County South Carolina (2). There is still no word on what caused the outbreak, although officials suspect animals at the fair may be the source. Public health … [Read more...]
Cleveland County NC Fair E. coli 0157:H7 Outbreak Numbers Changed
As of today, October 22, 2012, there are 98 people confirmed ill with the outbreak strain of E. coli 0157:H7 linked to the Cleveland County Fair. Sixty children and thirty-eight adults are part of the outbreak. Preliminary findings suggest that animal exposure may be the source of the outbreak. Now, 60 children and 38 adults are confirmed ill with the outbreak strain of the bacteria. Twelve people are currently or have been hospitalized. There has been one death, of a toddler in Gaston county. The case count is as follows: Cleveland County (58), Gaston County (15, with one death), Lincoln County (13), Catawba County (1), Union County (2), Rutherford (5), York County, South Carolina (2), Cherokee County, South Carolina (2). Case counts change during an active investigation as cases are … [Read more...]
