A multistate E. coli outbreak tied to lettuce on Wendy's burgers and sandwiches includes 53 people in Michigan, Chelsea Wuth, a health department spokeswoman told Food Poisoning Bulletin today. Thirty-one people have been hospitalized, eight of them with hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a form of kidney failure that affects some E. coli patients. Six days ago, the Wendy's E. coli outbreak included 43 illnesses, 24 hospitalizations, and four HUS cases in Michigan, according to an outbreak update from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services. And the numbers are expected to rise as results of whole genome sequencing tests from 62 other Michigan residents stricken with E. coli infections since the end of July become available. "Two things that are really … [Read more...]
Same E. coli Strain Linked to 4 Outbreaks and 8 Deaths 2018- 2021
This week, the CDC announced the end of a deadly leafy greens E. coli outbreak. And revealed that it was caused by the same strain as the deadly outbreak linked to romaine lettuce grown in Yuma, AZ in 2018. This is the fourth multistate outbreak linked to this E. coli O157:H7 strain since 2018. All of them have included at least one fatality. Two of them occurred in 2021. Together these four outbreaks resulted in 274 illnesses, 126 hospitalizations, 33 cases of a type of kidney failure called hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), and eight deaths. Leafy greens were identified as the source of two of the outbreaks. For the other two, which occurred in 2020 and 2021, the source was declared as "unknown." Like the 2018 outbreak, some of the greens linked to the outbreak that ended this … [Read more...]
Fifth ND E. coli Case Confirmed at Red River Valley Fair
A fifth case of E. coli infection that may be linked to the Red River Valley Fair in West Fargo, North Dakota has been confirmed by the North Dakota Department of Health. All of the cases are children, all live in eastern North Dakota, and four of the five patients have been hospitalized. The investigation into the cause of the outbreak is ongoing. Anyone who attended the fair and has been sick with the symptoms of an E. coli infection is asked to fill out a survey on the North Dakota Department of Health website, even if you are feeling better. Those symptoms include nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramps, and diarrhea that may be bloody and/or watery. They usually appear within 10 days after exposure. If someone in your household was sick and other are not, also fill out the form; … [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...]
E. coli Wrongful Death Takes Community Volunteer in Alabama
The Alabama E. coli death of a 71-year-old man who served as a volunteer in his community is at the center of a food poisoning outbreak in Morgan County that remains under investigation. The E. coli infections have been associated with a luncheon hosted by the Alabama Cooperative Extension Service (ACES). The Alabama Department of Public Health has promised to release a summary of its investigation when the outbreak report is final. The deceased man, Clarence Hampton, was a senior companion volunteer for the Community Action Partnership of North Alabama in Decatur. The leader of that organization, Chief Executive Officer Michael Tubbs, has said that at least 24 employees and volunteers of the group fell sick after the luncheon. Hampton's sister said she was one of the attendees who … [Read more...]
Oklahoma E. Coli Outbreak Investigated
Dr. Lauri Smithee, Acute Disease Service Director of the Oklahoma State Department of Health, spoke to Food Poisoning Bulletin and confirmed that an E. coli outbreak is associated with the Oklahoma Youth Expo held at the Oklahoma state fairgrounds in March 2014. Twelve people are sick, in various stages of confirmation. Four people have been confirmed ill with E. coli infections through lab tests. Two children are sick with hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) and are hospitalized. One is two years old; the other is eight. The investigation is still broad. Initial cases were reported following a livestock show, but more recent patients said they have had animal contact, but not at that particular show. Right now investigators are concentrating on case control studies and PFGE matches to … [Read more...]
One Child Still Hospitalized in NC E. coli Outbreak
Late in December there was a report of an E. coli outbreak in Davidson County, North Carolina that sickened three children. Two of the three were hospitalized with symptoms of hemolytic uremic syndrome. A report was released yesterday that stated one child is still hospitalized. Two of the three children were students at the Tyro Middle School in Lexington. A message posted at the school's website states, "if you child or an adult has the symptoms of an E. coli infection, please contact your medical provider and share the information in this notification with them." Symptoms of an E. coli infection include severe watery and/or bloody diarrhea, vomiting, severe cramps, and a low fever. One complication of an E. coli infection, HUS, can destroy the kidneys. Medical treatment is always … [Read more...]
E. coli and Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome Outbreak in Davidson County, NC: 2 Tyro Middle School Students Hospitalized
The source of the E. coli O157 outbreak in Davidson County, North Carolina, is still unknown. Two children who developed hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) have been hospitalized, both of them students at Tyro Middle School. HUS is a severe complication of an E. coli infection that causes kidney failure and a host of other serious medical problems, including stroke, heart failure, diabetes and pancreatitis. HUS can be fatal. "E. coli outbreaks are most often caused by food contaminated with E. coli bacteria. Even a small bite of food containing these deadly pathogens can cause serious illness or death," said attorney Fred Pritzker, a national E. coli lawyer who represents children with E. coli and HUS. "E. coli can also be caused by animal contact at a petting zoo or fair, and my … [Read more...]
Three Children with E. coli O157 Infections in NC
The Davidson County Health Department in North Carolina is now investigating three cases of E. coli O157 infections in children who live in that area. They say that two Tyro Middle School students have been hospitalized with severe, bloody diarrhea, a symptom of hemolytic uremic syndrome, a complication of an E. coli infection. Another child has been identified with E. coli, but that child has not been hospitalized and attends a different school. Monecia Thomas, Davidson County Health Department Health Director said in a statement, "we are asking anyone in the community who has been sick during the month of December with severe or bloody diarrhea to please call the Davidson County Health Department at 336-242-2300. If you are still sick, please seek medical care." Transmission of E. … [Read more...]
Outbreak of E. coli O157:H7 Infections Linked to Trader Joe’s Salads
The CDC has updated its investigation of the multistate outbreak of Shiga toxin-producing E. coli O15:H7 infections linked to ready-to-eat salads. As of November 10, 2013, 26 people in 3 states are ill with the outbreak strain of the bacteria. The patient case count is: Arizona (1), California (22), and Washington state (3). Six, or 28%, of ill persons have been hospitalized. Two people have developed hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). No deaths have been reported. The PFGE pattern in this outbreak is new to the PulseNet database. Epidemiologic and traceback investigations conducted by public health officials have found that two ready-to-eat salads produced by Glass Onion Catering and sold at Trader's Joe's grocery stores are one likely source of the pathogenic bacteria. The salads … [Read more...]
