Jan Stapleman, Deputy Director of Communications for the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, confirmed to Food Poisoning Bulletin in an email that they are investigating an outbreak of E. coli linked to the Pho 75 restaurant in Aurora. Four people have been sickened in this outbreak, and one person was hospitalized. The restaurant has been closed by the health department, and the email stated that "there is no continuing threat to the public." The person who was hospitalized is a teenager whose kidneys started to fail. Thankfully, he is on the mend. The Tri-County Health Department is asking members of the public to take a short, confidential survey as part of their investigation into the outbreak. Anyone who ate at the restaurant or got take-out between May 24 … [Read more...]
Colorado Restaurant Closed Because of E. coli Outbreak
A restaurant in Aurora, Colorado, Pho 75, was closed on Friday, June 10, 2016 because an E. coli O157 outbreak has been reported to public officials. Several media outlets are reporting that at least four people have been sickened after eating at the restaurant, located at 2050 South Havana Street in Aurora. One of the four patients, a 14-year-old boy who ate at Pho 75 on May 24, has been hospitalized with serious illness. He has been in the intensive care unit with a severe case of pancreatitis since June 1, according to Fox31 Denver. The boy has improved, but is still hospitalized and may be for weeks, according to his father, Marc Thompson. According to health inspection records posted at the Tri-County Health Department (covering Adams, Arapahoe and Douglas Counties in … [Read more...]
Oak Leaf Dairy Farm CT E. coli Outbreak Grows to 41 Sick
The E. coli O157 outbreak linked to the Oak Leaf Dairy Farm in Lebanon, Connecticut has now grown to include 41 confirmed cases. The patients range in age from 9 months to 45 years, with a median age of five years. The patients include seven adults and 34 children under the age of 18. Twenty-two of the sick children are age five or under. Ten patients have been hospitalized in this outbreak. One person is still in the hospital. Three of the hospitalized children have developed hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a serious complication of a shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) infection that can cause kidney failure and death. Two of the three children with HUS have recovered. The investigation by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Connecticut Department of Public … [Read more...]
E. coli Outbreak Linked to Oak Leaf Farm in CT Grows
The Connecticut State Department of Public Health (DPH) issued an update on the E. coli outbreak linked to Oak Leaf Farm in Lebanon. As of 1:00 p.m. on March 28, 2016, there are 15 confirmed cases of E. coli O157 infection. The number of cases could increase in the next few days. DPH is actively identifying people who were not initially included in the outbreak count. Fourteen of those cases are linked to the farm. The patients range in age from 1 year to 44 years old, with a median age of six. Five patients have been hospitalized, and three are still in the hospital. Two of those hospitalized patients have been diagnosed with hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). Children are most susceptible to this complication of an E. coli infection, but the report did not state how old those patients … [Read more...]
California Confirms E. coli Outbreak Linked to Organic Pastures Raw Milk
The California Department of Public Health has confirmed to Food Poisoning Bulletin that there is an E. coli O157 outbreak linked to recalled Organic Pastures raw milk. Via email, they said "there is an outbreak, and as of February 8, 2016, six children with a unique strain of shiga toxin-producing E. coli O157 have been identified; of all of these six children, four have reported drinking Organic Pastures raw milk before they got sick." All six illnesses occurred in January 2016. Public health officials are investigating the dairy and that investigation is ongoing. CDPH's Food and Drug Branch (FDB) has "collected a number of samples from the marketplace, which are currently undergoing laboratory evaluation," according to the communication. The recalled product is Organic Pastures … [Read more...]
Organic Pastures Raw Milk Recall is for E. coli O157
The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) has jumped into the Organic Pastures raw milk recall. The whole raw milk has been recalled for possible E. coli O157 contamination. The product was distributed in northern California and the central coast of California. Use by dates for the products are 1/23/16 (lot code 20160105-1) and 1/26/16 (lot code 20160106-2). The symptoms of an E. coli O157 infection include severe abdominal cramps, diarrhea that may be watery and/or bloody, a mild fever, nausea, and vomiting. Symptoms usually begin three to four days after exposure to the pathogenic bacteria, sometimes up to 10 days. Children under the age of 5 are most susceptible to serious complications from this infection, most notably hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). HUS develops when … [Read more...]
Indiana E. coli Outbreak Grows to 4 Confirmed Cases
The Indiana Department of Health says there are four confirmed cases of E. coli and three probable cases in that state. Officials do not know the source of this outbreak, but are investigating. Those sickened live in Fulton, Marshall, and Wabash Counties. No new cases of possible E. coli have been reported to the agency since the start of August. E. coli is an infectious disease that is spread through contact with feces. It is critical that this infection is accurately diagnosed, since treatment with antibiotics can increase the risk of serious complications, such as hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). The department is working with families of patients to make sure the illness does not spread with person-to-person contact. E. coli bacteria are found in the guts of ruminant animals … [Read more...]
E. coli Outbreak in Canada Sickens 24
An E. coli O157 outbreak in Canada has sickened at least 24 people, according to the Public Health Agency of Canada. Public health officials do not yet know the source of the outbreak, but are investigating. The case count by province is: Alberta (1), Ontario (7), Quebec (14) and Nova Scotia (2). Illness onset dates were between July 12 and August 8, 2015, with the peak of illness reported occurring between July 25 and August 1, 2015. In the past, outbreaks of E. coli have been linked to raw or undercooked meat products, raw dairy products, and raw fruits and vegetables that have been contaminated with feces. Anyone can get an E. coli infection, but those at most risk for serious complications are young children, the elderly, pregnant women, and those with chronic illnesses and … [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...]
