Whatcom County Health Department has updated their investigation into the outbreak of shiga toxin-producing E. coli O157 associated with the Milk Makers Fest held at the Northwest Fairgrounds in Lynden on 4/21/15 - 4/23/15. More than a thousand primary school children attended the event from all school districts in the county. Most of the cases are children. The cumulative total as of 5/5/15 is 22 cases, with 7 hospitalized; and 20 probable cases, which is an increase of one probable case from Monday. The 22 cases include those with positive lab results, and clinical cases with close contact with a confirmed case. Public health officials are interviewing cases to discover if there was a common food or water source or activity in this outbreak. The children did pet farm animals, and … [Read more...]
Parents Weigh Legal Options to Address Milk Makers Fest E. coli
Already emerging in discussions about a possible Milk Makers Fest E. coli lawsuit is whether adequate safeguards were in place to protect Whatcom County first-graders from E. coli poisoning that many experts are hypothesizing was linked to the Fest's animal exhibits and petting zoo. As the E. coli outbreak investigation continues, officials have identified 36 case patients, including sick children whose lab results are pending. At least five of the children have been hospitalized and the elementary schools around Bellingham, Blaine, Ferndale, Lynden and other Whatcom County communities are trying to find out what went wrong. Meanwhile, some parents of sick first-graders are contacting E. coli lawyers to weigh legal options that best suit the interests of their families. “We want … [Read more...]
E. coli HUS Outbreak at Whatcom County, WA Updated
The E. coli O157 outbreak associated with the Milk Makers Fest at the Northwest Fairgrounds in Lynden, Whatcom County, Washington has now sickened 36 people, according to the Health Department. The latest update is 18 positive cases, and 18 probable cases. Five people have been hospitalized; at least some of those have hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a serious complication of an E. coli infection. That is a change of one more new confirmed case, three new probable cases, and one new hospitalization. The positive cases have either those with positive lab tests, or close contact with a positive or presumptive positive case. The probable cases are people with clinical symptoms who were associated with the event, but lab results were either not available or not conducted. The Health … [Read more...]
Milk Makers Fest E. coli outbreak Sickens 32
The Milk Makers Fest E. coli outbreak in Lynden, Washington, is growing in size as state and county health officials confirm more illnesses among more than 1,300 children who attended the educational event hosted recently by the Whatcom County Dairy Women. The investigation so far by the Whatcom County Health Department (WCHD) has confirmed 17 cases, including four individuals who have been hospitalized, the agency said in a news release. In addition,on Thursday there were 15 probable cases in people who had clinical symptoms and exposure to the event or people who attended it. Those cases are being confirmed through laboratory analysis. Dr. Greg Stern, Whatcom County’s health officer, has been identified as the principal contact in the investigation. He is urging those who attended … [Read more...]
More Details on Whatcom County, WA E. coli Outbreak
The Whatcom County Health Department is investigating a STEC (Shiga Toxin-producing E. coli) outbreak associated with the Milk Makers Fest at the Northwest Fairgrounds on April 21 through April 23, 2015. Six cases have been identified so far; five are of primary school children who attended the event. Public health officials are interviewing the children who attended the event and their parents to try to pinpoint the food, water source, or activity that caused the illnesses. The department is also monitoring to make sure the illness doesn't spread from person to person. If any person goes to a doctor with diarrhea, a stool culture will be taken. Any positive E. coli results will be reported to officials, since this is a reportable illness. Three of the five children had stool … [Read more...]
Parents Need to Know the Signs of an E. coli Infection
Parents are responsible for their children's health. This can sometimes feel overwhelming, but with a little knowledge you can make sure your child gets the best possible care if he gets sick. That's why you need to know the signs of an E. coli infection. Food poisoning is quite common in the United States and around the world. One out of every six people in this country will contract food poisoning this year. So parents need to know the signs of an E. coli infection. Most people think of these infections as the "24 hour flu" and most get better without medical treatment. But thousands get sick enough to be hospitalized, and thousands die from their infections. There are several different kinds of bacteria that cause these illnesses: Salmonella, Campylobacter, Listeria monocytogenes, … [Read more...]
Kentucky E. coli Outbreak Associated with Raw Milk in 2014
An E. coli outbreak in Kentucky in September 2014 was associated with raw milk consumption, according to the Kentucky Public Health Department. Five children in North Central Kentucky were sickened after drinking unpasteurized milk. Four of the children developed hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a serious and life-threatening complication of this infection and had to be hospitalized. Dr. Stephanie Mayfield, DPH Commissioner said in a statement, "at this time, we know that all of the children consumed unpasteurized milk, which is different from the milk and dairy products you purchase at the grocery store. Unpasteurized milk is dangerous and has not undergone a process to kill bacteria before it is consumed, meaning it could contain disease-causing agents such as E. coli." Attorney … [Read more...]
Jimmy John’s Evergreen Sprouts E. coli Outbreak in 2014 Sickened 19
An E. coli O121 outbreak in 2014 linked to Evergreen raw clover sprouts that were served at Jimmy John's, the Pita Pita, and Daanen's Deli, sickened 19 people, according to government officials. Those people lived in six states. Forty four percent of patients were hospitalized; there was no recall; no one developed hemolytic uremic syndrome; and there were no deaths. The outbreak case count by state was: California (1), Idaho (3), Michigan (1), Montana (2), Utah (1), and Washington (11). Thirteen of the sixteen people interviewed reported eating raw sprouts the week before they got sick. Traceback investigations concluded that contaminated raw clover sprouts produced by Evergreen Fresh Sprouts of Idaho was the likely source of this outbreak. After a meeting with the FDA, the company … [Read more...]
E. coli at West Valley Federico’s Restaurant Harmed 94 People
E. coli O157:H7 infected scores of Federico's restaurant customers at a lone location in the West Valley area of greater Phoenix in 2013, setting off a public health scramble to investigate an alarming case of food poisoning. According to an in-depth final report by the Maricopa County Department of Public Health, 94 people were sickened, including at least two who suffered kidney failure and other life-threatening symptoms of hemolytic uremic syndrome, or E. coli HUS. Federico's Mexican Restaurant at 13132 W. Camelback Road in Litchfield Park -- the only location in the Federico's chain that was involved in the outbreak -- temporarily closed its doors for a sanitary overhaul and food disposal soon after it was approached by public health officials about a strong correlation between an … [Read more...]
Wolverine Ground Beef E. coli Outbreak Sickened 12 in 2014
An E. coli O157:H7 outbreak linked to ground beef produced by Wolverine Packing Company in 2014 sickened 12 people in 4 states. Ground beef can be contaminated with pathogenic bacteria since STEC bacteria like E. coli are on the surface of beef cuts. When those cuts are ground, the bacteria is mixed throughout the product. And when that ground beef is made into burgers and not thoroughly cooked, people get sick. The case count by state is: Massachusetts (1), Michigan (5), Missouri (1), and Ohio (5). Fifty eight percent of ill persons were hospitalized. No one developed hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) and no deaths were reported. Illness dates ranged from April 22, 2014 to May 2, 2014. The patient age range was from 16 to 46 years, with a median age of 25 years. Public health … [Read more...]
