The E. coli O157:H7 outbreak possibly associated with Los Burritos Mexicanos restaurant in Lombard, Illinois has sickened at least 10 people. At least one child has developed hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) as a result of this infection. Four cases of laboratory confirmed E. coli O157:H7 have been confirmed. Hemolytic uremic syndrome is a complication of a Shiga toxin-producing E. coli infection. Shiga toxins are released from the bacteria and attach to white blood cells, traveling through the bloodstream to other organs in the body. During an infection, the immune system increases the permeability of cell membranes so cells that fight infection can destroy the pathogenic bacteria. Unfortunately, this makes it easier for the Shiga toxin to get into cells too. The toxin affects the … [Read more...]
Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome from E. coli O157 Infection Hits 3 in Massachusetts, Wellesley Grocery Store Connection Rumored
Three people in Massachusetts have been hospitalized with hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a form of kidney failure that can lead to stroke, heart attack, pancreatitits and other serious health problems. All three of these cases of HUS were caused by the same strain of E. coli O157:H7 bacteria. This means that the 3 HUS victims first contracted E. coli O157 infections, most likely from contaminated food, and then developed HUS, according to Fred Pritzker, a nationally known E. coli lawyer. "Rumors have been circulating that the cause of the illnesses has been linked to a local supermarket. At this point, no local supermarkets are a focus of the investigation," according to the Wellesley Health Department (WDH). If a grocery store is involved in the outbreak, the E. coli-HUS victims and … [Read more...]
BBQ Shack E coli O157:H7 Outbreak in Toccoa, GA: Update and Video
Attorney Fred Pritzker, national food safety attorney, is providing updated information on the E. coli O157:H7 outbreak that has been associated with eating at the BBQ Shack in Toccoa, Georgia. To date, 18 cases of E. coli O157:H7 have been reported in Stephens County, Georgia. Of the sickened, at least 7 required hospitalization and 5 of those individuals went on to develop hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS)- a very serious complication of shiga toxin producing E.coli infections that can cause kidney failure and death, especially in children and the elderly. Health investigators did not find the menu item at the BBQ Shack that was contaminated with E. coli. This does not prevent E. coli victims and their families from filing lawsuits against the BBQ Shack for compensation, according to … [Read more...]
Bar-B-Q Shack E. Coli O157:H7 Outbreak: What Caused It?
The E. coli O157:H7 outbreak at the Bar-B-Q Shack in Toccoa, Georgia that has sickened at least 11 people remains a mystery. Public health officials are investigating the outbreak, but they have not determined what caused the illnesses. Seven of the ill persons have been hospitalized, and five unfortunately have developed hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a serious complication of a STEC infection that can cause kidney failure. That means this bacteria is especially virulent or that there were high numbers of the pathogenic bacteria in the contaminated food. Fred Pritzker, national food safety attorney, said about this outbreak, "In some restaurant outbreak cases, it’s not possible to identify the precise food product responsible for a person’s illness. For example, if you order a … [Read more...]
Bar-B-Q Shack E. Coli Outbreak: What’s the Multiplier?
The E. coli O157:H7 outbreak linked to the Bar-B-Q Shack in Toccoa, Georgia has sickened at least 11 people. Seven of the ill persons have been hospitalized. And five have developed hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a serious illness which can cause kidney failure. In most outbreaks, we know that illnesses are greatly underreported, because most people can recover from Salmonella or Vibrio infections without a doctor's help. But Shiga-toxin producing E. coli (STEC) infections are different. That pathogenic bacteria causes potentially deadly illness that can last for a long time. A study from the CDC found that duration of illness is the most important statistically significant symptom that increased both the probability of visiting a doctor and having a stool sample taken. Violent, … [Read more...]
E. coli Outbreak Associated with Coco Loco A&M Restaurant in College Station, TX
The E. coli outbreak that has sickened at least five people in Brazos county, Texas has been linked to ground beef served at the Coco Loco restaurant off George Bush Drive in College Station. We don't know how the ground beef was cooked; if it was served as hamburgers or as part of another dish such as tacos. Officials do not know if improper temperature, improper cooking, or cross-contamination caused the outbreak. The outbreak seems to be isolated to mid-April 2013. Two young brothers developed hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) as a result of their illnesses and were hospitalized for a long time. Ground beef has been linked to many foodborne illness outbreaks in the past several years; E. coli outbreaks are quite common. Why is this food so problematic? The answer lies in how ground … [Read more...]
BBQ Shack E. coli and HUS Outbreak in Toccoa, GA, Lawsuits Inevitable
At least 11 people have contracted E. coli O157:H7 infections in an outbreak linked to the BBQ Shack, a restaurant in Toccoa, Georgia, according to the Georgia Department of Public Health. Ten of the victims of the outbreak are Georgia residents, and one is a resident of South Carolina. Seven of the outbreak victims have been hospitalized, five with hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), the leading cause of kidney failure in children in the United States. HUS-E. coli O157 can be fatal, giving rise to a wrongful death claim. It is still unknown what food item at the restaurant was tainted with E. coli, but according to national food safety lawyer Fred Pritzker, outbreak victims and their families will most likely still have claims against the restaurant. "Restaurant owners are liable for … [Read more...]
E. Coli O157:H7 Outbreak in Manitowoc County, Wisconsin
Amy Wergin, public health nurse manager for the Manitowoc County Health Department in Wisconsin confirmed to Food Poisoning Bulletin that there are two cases of E. coli infections with the same DNA fingerprint in that county. Those are the only cases with the same PFGE pattern in the country at this time. She also said that the department will release more information about the outbreak when the investigation is finished. The bacteria causing the illness is E. coli O157:H7, the most common type of Shiga toxin-producing E. coli. It can cause severe illness and complications such as hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), which can lead to kidney failure and death. Most people contract the infection by consuming contaminated vegetables, raw or undercooked ground beef, and unpasteurized … [Read more...]
Cleveland County Fair Outbreak Update for 10/29/12
The Division of Public Health of the New York Department of Health and Human Services in North Carolina has updated the E. coli outbreak linked to the Cleveland County Fair. Now 106 people are ill, including 65 children and 41 adults. Thirteen people have been or are currently hospitalized. One child has died as a result of the infection. The case counts are as follows by county: Cleveland County (61), Gaston County (15, including one death), Lincoln County (14), Catawba County (2), Union County (2), Rutherford (7), York County, South Carolina (2), Cherokee County, South Carolina (3). The new cases are in Gaston County and Rutherford. E. coli bacteria produces shiga toxins, which destroy red blood cells and can cause serious complications including hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). … [Read more...]
Cleveland County NC Fair E. coli Outbreak Grows Again
As of Friday, October 26, 2012, the case count in the E. coli outbreak linked to the Cleveland County Fair in North Carolina has grown to include 104 people. Sixty-three children and forty-one adults have been affected in this outbreak. Thirteen people have been or are currently hospitalized. One child has died. The case counts are as follows: Cleveland County (61), Gaston County (14, including 1 death), Lincoln County (14), Catawba County (2), Union County (2), Rutherford (6), York County South Carolina (2), and Cherokee County South Carolina (3). The three new cases are in Cleveland County and Cherokee County, South Carolina. The notice states, "preliminary findings suggest animal exposure may be the source of the outbreak." An E. coli infection can lead to complications including … [Read more...]
