The E. coli O157 outbreak associated with raw milk and contact with farm animals in Tennessee has been updated by the Knox County Health Department. Public health officials are investigating any potential connections between these two likely sources, and it is possible that there are two unrelated E. coli clusters. At least ten children have been sickened in this outbreak. The health department is conducting extensive interviews with the families of the ill children. They are also contacting people who may be at risk to see if anyone in that household is ill, examining all potential sources; plotting symptom onset to aid in determining the first case in this outbreak, potential exposures and the type of outbreak; analyzing the statistical significance of the findings; and collecting … [Read more...]
E. coli Outbreak Associated with Raw Milk and Farm Animals in TN Updated; Lawsuits May Be Filed
E. coli O157 Outbreak in Tennessee Updated by Knox County Health Department; Lawsuits May Be Filed
The E. coli O157 outbreak in Tennessee associated with raw milk and contact with farm animals has been updated by the Knox County Health Department. The media release states, "To date, more than 10 cases of E. coli O157 have been reported to KCHD all are among young children. No new E. coli cases were reported over the weekend. However the incubation period for E. coli is two to 10 days." At least four of those children have been hospitalized; all have hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a type of kidney failure. The common link among most of the sick children in this E. coli O157 outbreak is raw milk from French Broad Farm, a local cow-share dairy in Knox County. Public health officials are advising the public not to consume raw ilk or any other unpasteurized products they may have … [Read more...]
E. coli O157 Outbreak Associated with Raw Milk in Knox County, TN; Several Attended A Kids Place; Lawsuits Possible
The Knox County Health Department is still investigating a cluster of E. coli O157 cases in children that are "likely associated" with consumption of raw milk and contact with farm animals. More than 10 illnesses have been reported to the KCHD. All are among children. One new development is that several of those sick children attended A Kids Place, a childcare facility in Mascot, Tennessee. Last week a report was received telling officials about that illness. KCHD reviewed the case lab report. The news update states, "Several other cases reported attending A Kids Place, Inc. During the investigation, exposure to ruminant farm animals was identified as a potential source of infection. All cases were among an age group that was housed in one portion of the facility. That portion is … [Read more...]
Lawyer Explains: Why Is a Class Action Lawsuit Not the Best Choice For Romaine E. coli O157:H7 HUS Patients?
There are potentially many lawsuits that will be filed in the large E. coli O57:H7 HUS outbreak that is linked to romaine lettuce from the Yuma, Arizona growing region. At least 121 people are sick in that outbreak. Many families may be thinking about a class action lawsuit if and when a grower, distributor, retailer, or restaurant is named by the government. But is a class action lawsuit really the best choice for you, whether you have been sickened with E. coli, Listeria monocytogenes, Brucella, Campylobacter, or Salmonella bacteria? As of May 2, 2018, fifty-two people have been hospitalized in this outbreak because they are so sick. Fourteen patients have developed hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a type of complication that can cause kidney failure. And one person in California … [Read more...]
Health Canada Says E. coli O157 Outbreak In That Country Linked to Romaine Lettuce Over
Health Canada says that the E. coli O157 outbreak linked to romaine lettuce in that country is over. At least 42 people in 5 provinces were sickened in this outbreak. As of January 10, 2018, there were 42 cases of illness in this E. coli O157 outbreak that were reported in five eastern provinces: Ontario (8), Quebec (15), New Brunswick (5), Nova Scotia (1), and Newfoundland and Labrador (13). Individuals became sick in November and early December 2017. Seventeen individuals were hospitalized because their illnesses were so severe. One person died in this E. coli O157 outbreak. Patients were between the ages of 3 and 85 years of age. The majority of cases (74%) were female. Most of those who were sickened said they ate romaine lettuce the week before they got sick. Patients ate … [Read more...]
E. coli O157 Outbreak in Canada Linked to Romaine Lettuce Grows to 40 Sick
The Public Health Agency of Canada is investigating an E. coli O157 outbreak in five provinces. As of December 21, 2017, 40 people are sick in this outbreak, which is linked to the consumption of romaine lettuce. Individuals in Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and Newfoundland and Labrador are advised to avoid romaine lettuce until more is known about this outbreak and the cause of contamination. This outbreak is ongoing, as illnesses linked to romaine lettuce continue to be reported to the Public Health Agency of Canada. Officials think that contaminated lettuce may still be on the market, including in restaurants, grocery stores, and any establishments that serve food. This product has a shelf life up to 5 weeks. There is a risk of E. coli infections associated with … [Read more...]
I.M. Healthy SoyNut Butter E. coli O157:H7 Outbreak Grows
As expected, the E. coli O157:H7 outbreak linked to the SoyNut Butter Company's I.M. Healthy SoyNut Butter products has grown. The CDC has just released an update on their investigation into this outbreak. Now, 23 people in 9 states are ill with the outbreak strain of E. coli. That's an increase of seven patients since the initial outbreak report on March 13, 2017. Ten of those sickened have been hospitalized. And seven people have developed hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a type of kidney failure. No deaths have been reported. Twenty, or 87%, of the ill persons in this outbreak are under the age of 18. No new states are included in the update. The patient case count by state is: Arizona (4), California (5), Maryland (1), Missouri (1), New Jersey (1), Oregon (6), Virginia (2), … [Read more...]
E. coli O157 Outbreak at OR Montessori of Alameda Preschool
An E. coli O157 outbreak has sickened six people associated with the Montessori of Alameda preschool in Portland, Oregon. All of the patients have laboratory-confirmed Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) infections. One patient is an adult and five are preschoolers. One child has been hospitalized in this outbreak and as of March 10, 2017 was still in the hospital. All of the confirmed cases have occurred in one classroom at a Portland preschool. Samples from three of the patients have been typed so far and have been identified as E. coli O157. The Health Department is investigating the source of this pathogenic bacteria, including whether there is a link to this outbreak and the national recall of I.M. Healthy SoyNut Butter. The cause is not yet known. Dr. Paul Lewis, … [Read more...]
Four Arizona Children Sickened with E. coli O157
Four children in Arizona are sickened with E. coli O157 infections that "appear to be linked" to soynut butter-containing products from "The SoyNutButter Company," according to a news release from the Arizona Department of Health. The Arizona Department of Health Services is recommending that consumers avoid eating "I.M. Healthy" brand soynut butter and soynut butter-containing products. Dr. Cara Crist, director of the department, said in a statement, "Our disease detectives are working on the state and local level to rapidly identify the source of this outbreak. As we determine suspected food sources that may be linked to E. coli, our state lab will test those products to determine if there’s a match." The four children who are sick in Arizona live in Maricopa and Coconino … [Read more...]
Monroe Montessori School in WA Closed for Possible E. coli
According to the Snohomish Health District in Washington state, two young children have been hospitalized for complications from a Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) infection. The school they attend, at 733 Village Way in Monroe, Washington has been temporarily closed because other children and staff may have been exposed to the bacteria. Dr. Gary Goldblum, health officer and director of the Health District said, "the exact source of contamination in E. coli can be very difficult to identify, but at this point we believe the children were likely exposed to livestock near their home. The school has been cooperating fully as we work with the families and improve existing policies and procedures to prevent these incidents from happening in the future." Livestock carry E. coli … [Read more...]
