An E. coli outbreak linked to Chipotle stores in Washington and Oregon has grown to include 42 people, 14 of whom have been hospitalized. Now, the chain says it's ready to reopen the 43 stores in those states that it temporarily closed after the outbreak. State health officials linked 11 Chipotle restaurants, including six restaurants in Oregon and five in Washington to the outbreak. But the company voluntarily closed all of them on a temporary basis. As of November 9, 27 people in Washington and 15 in Oregon have been diagnosed with infections from shiga-toxin producing E. coli O26 in food that came from a handful of Chipotle stores. All of them ate at a Chipotle in Washington or Oregon in the week before becoming ill. The case patients, who range in age from 1 to 67, ate at a … [Read more...]
Law Firm Files E. coli-HUS Death Lawsuit Against Learning Vine Daycare
Attorney Eric Hageman filed a wrongful-death lawsuit today on behalf of the family of a 2-year-old boy who died from an E.coli infection he contracted from the Learning Vine daycare center in Greenwood, South Carolina. In June, Learning Vine was linked to an outbreak that sickened a total of 14 children. The suit alleges that the outbreak began with a teacher who had an E. coli O157:H7 infection and returned to work without being tested to make sure it had cleared. The teacher was ill from about May 3 to May 11, but her illnesses was not reported to the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) until May 18 and parents at the daycare were not notified, the suit alleges. Although young children are among those most at-risk for E. coli infections and for … [Read more...]
Final Update on Learning Vine Daycare SC STEC Outbreak
The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) has issued the final update on the Learning Vine daycare STEC outbreak. The case count is at 14 cases of Shiga toxin-producing E. coli, including people who were at that facility and their family members. There was one fatality. E.coli attorney Eric Hageman filed a wrongful death lawsuit on behalf of the family whose 2-year old boy died. There are no reports of ongoing transmission in this outbreak, and no reports of new illnesses in students or staff since June 1, 2015. The investigation is now over. On May 18, 2015, DHEC was notified of a confirmed case of STEC in a person at the center. No other recent cases of E. coli in Greenwood County were found in a database search. But on May 29, DHEC was notified of … [Read more...]
Now 11 Sick with E. coli At The Learning Vine Daycare in SC
The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control has updated their investigation into the Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) outbreak at The Learning Vine daycare in Greenwood county. Now 11 cases have been confirmed. The cases are of people who went to the daycare and their family members. As of today, June 13, 2014, 194 test results are negative for STEC. The three new lab-confirmed cases are people who had diarrhea, or were asymptomatic, but are now symptom-free. There is "no evidence of ongoing transmission related to this investigation, and there has been no new onset of illness in students or staff of the daycare since June 1, 2015," according to the report. The childcare center has been cleared to re-open. The Learning Vine has met conditions of the public … [Read more...]
Health and Safety Violations at The Learning Vine Daycare Center
Health and safety violations have been reported at The Learning Vine daycare center in Greenwood, South Carolina, which is at the center of an E. coli outbreak. The report, issued by the South Carolina Child Care Early Care and Education department, lists 12 violations ranging from cross-contamination at diaper changing stations to open trash cans and a dirty fridge. E. coli infections are spread by contact with infected human waste and animal waste. In this outbreak, at least eight people are sick with Shiga toxin-producing E. coli bacteria; some have developed hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), and one 2-year-old boy has died. The daycare has received a "C" grade, which means the facility meets requirements, but that is the lowest grade on the scale. The violations that may be … [Read more...]
The Learning Vine Daycare SC E. coli Outbreak Investigation Updated
The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) has updated their investigation into the E. coli outbreak at The Learning Vine daycare center in Greenwood County. At this time, there are eight cases of Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC). DHEC is working with the CDC, FDA, and the childcare facility to investigate the mode of transmission. The facility has voluntarily closed. Here is the timeline: On May 18, the government was notified of a confirmed case of E. coli illness in a person associated with The Learning Vine. The person was interviewed, and was symptom-free since May 11. On May 29, DHEC was notified of a case of hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) in Greenwood County; this is a complication of an E. coli infection. Interviews of close contacts of … [Read more...]
South Carolina Updates E. coli Outbreak at Learning Vine Daycare
The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control has updated their investigation into the E. coli outbreak associated with The Learning Vine daycare in Greenwood County. As of June 8, 2015, there are eight confirmed cases of Shiga toxin-producing E. coli. The announcement states, "at this time, no other facility is included as part of this ongoing investigation." Last week, officials announced that two-year-old Myles Mayfield died of complications from an E. coli infection. While no announcement has linked the toddler's death to the daycare center, this is the only known E. coli outbreak in that state at this time. Daycare facilities in Greenwood, Laurens, and Abbeville Counties are being kept informed about the investigation and the outbreak. Noted attorney Fred … [Read more...]
Whatcom County E. coli O157:H7 Outbreak Final Summary
The Whatcom County Health Department in Bellingham, Washington has issued their final report into the E. coli O157:H7 outbreak that sickened at least 25 children. The outbreak appears to be over. All of the ill people either attended the Milk Makers Fest between April 21 and 23, 2015 at the Northwest Fairgrounds in Lynden, Washington; helped with the event between April 20 and April 24, or were in close contact with people associated with the event. Environmental contamination with E. coli O157:H7 at the Dairy Barn at the fairgrounds was the likely source of this outbreak. Case counts were calculated based only on lab-confirmed infections with E. coli O157:H7 or physician-diagnosed hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), which is a complication of an E. coli infection. Twenty-five peoeple … [Read more...]
More HUS, E. coli Cases Confirmed from Milk Makers Fest
Four cases of hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) and 10 hospitalizations have now been confirmed in an outbreak of E. coli O157:H7 that has sickened 25 people, mostly first grade students from public schools around Bellingham, Washington, and surrounding Whatcom County. Health officials have linked the illnesses to the Milk Makers Fest, held a month ago at the Northwest Washington Fairgrounds in Lynden, Washington. A petting zoo and animal exhibits were part of the three-day attraction. Festival organizers have been providing updates on the public E. coli investigation and their latest announcement states that new information will be provided "in the near future.'' County, state and federal health investigators have been trying to determine the cause of the outbreak for weeks. Festival … [Read more...]
Whatcom County E. coli Outbreak Grows; CDC Pitches In
The E. coli outbreak associated with the Milk Makers Fest at the Northwest Fairgrounds in Lynden, Washington in April has grown to include 45 cases. There are now 23 confirmed cases and 22 probable cases. Eight people have been hospitalized as a result of their illness. There are several children who have hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). The case count is now increasing more slowly. Interviews are continuing to determine if there was a common food or water source or activity, such as the petting zoo at the event. Lab tests have not yet been returned to determine which serotype of E. coli O157 has sickened people. It is taking some time for results to come back. The state is asking for federal help in solving this outbreak, according to the Seattle Times. Dr. Scott Lindquist, … [Read more...]
