The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services has updated the E. coli 0157:H7 outbreak linked to the Cleveland County Fair again. They are updating the investigation and outbreak numbers every day at 2:00 pm. The outbreak has grown again, to include 100 patients, up two people from yesterday. The case counts by county are as follows: Cleveland County (59), Gaston County (14, including one death), Lincoln County (14), Catawba County (1), Union County (2), Rutherford (6), York County in South Carolina (2), and Cherokee County in South Carolina (2). Now 62 children and 38 adults are part of the outbreak. Thirteen patients have been or currently are hospitalized. One child, a 2-year-old toddler, has died. Attorney Fred Pritzker, who has filed lawsuits on behalf of clients in … [Read more...]
E. coli Outbreak Linked to Cleveland County NC Fair Grows to 61 Patients
The E. coli outbreak linked to the Cleveland County Fair in North Carolina has grown to include 61 people. Eleven people have been hospitalized, and one child, a 2-year-old toddler, has died. The Division of Public Health of the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services in collaboration with Local Health Departments is investigating the outbreak. The state is reporting updates on the outbreak every day. This outbreak is a reminder that E. coli infections are very serious and can cause lifetime problems, including kidney failure if hemolytic uremic syndrome, or HUS, develops. This type of infection, even a mild case, can cause hypertension, kidney problems, heart disease, and stroke. It's crucial that anyone who attended this fair and is experiencing symptoms of an E. coli … [Read more...]
Toddler Dies from E. Coli HUS Linked to Cleveland County Fair
The E. coli outbreak linked to the Cleveland County fair has grown and has claimed the life of a toddler. Sixteen people in four counties are sick with the dangerous bacteria, and several people are hospitalized with hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a complication of the bacterial infection. Little Gage Lefevers died on Friday, October 12, 2012. He is one of eight children who have been sickened in this outbreak. Twelve-year-old Jordan McNair is still hospitalized in intensive care, but he is improving. E. coli bacteria are found in the feces of farm animals such as cows, sheep, and goats. The bacteria is transferred to humans when they touch surfaces that are contaminated with feces, then eat something or touch their mouths. These infections can also be spread person-to-person. … [Read more...]
Young Girl Still Hospitalized with HUS E. coli After Ohio Picnic
A four-year-old girl is still hospitalized in serious condition with hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) that developed after an E. coli 0157:H7 infection. The little girl, along with 74 others, became ill after attending a customer appreciation picnic held by Neff's Lawn Care in Germantown, Ohio. Fourteen people have been hospitalized in the outbreak. A 73-year-old man died on July 24, 2012 from his illness. But a 14-year-old boy who was in serious condition with HUS was released from the hospital this week. Officials still do not know what caused the outbreak. More than 300 people attended the picnic on July 3, 20121, and many brought food to share. Public health authorities are working to try to solve the outbreak. But since there were not many leftovers of food, pinpointing the exact … [Read more...]
E. coli Infection from Ohio Picnic Kills 73-Year-Old Man
A 73-year-old man has died from complications of an E. coli infection he contracted at the Neff's Lawn Care customer appreciation picnic. Montgomery County Health Commissioner Jim Gross said, "our hearts go out to his familiy and loved ones. This is a very difficult time for everyone. You may rest assured that Public Health will continue to examine all aspects of this foodborne tragedy." At least 75 people have been sickened by the outbreak linked to the picnic. Fourteen people have been hospitalized, and three, including the man who just died, developed hemolytic uremic syndrome. That complication of shiga-toxin producing bacterial infections, such as E. coli 0157:H7, can lead to kidney failure and other serious health issues. The other patients who developed HUS are a 4-year-old … [Read more...]
Neff’s Lawn Care Ohio Picnic E. coli 0157 Outbreak Update
The Dayton & Montgomery County Health Department has updated their investigation into the Neff's Lawn Care picnic E. coli 0157:H7 outbreak. As of July 23, 2012, 75 people have been sickened, 14 have been hospitalized, and three people are still hospitalized with hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). Those three with HUS include a 4-year-old girl, a 14-year-old male, and a 73-year-old male. As many as 300 people attended the picnic which was held on July 3, 2012. Because of cross-contamination after the original outbreak, two secondary cases of E. coli 0157:H7 have been reported. Public health officials are stressing the need for good hygiene practices, including washing hands thoroughly after visiting the bathroom, and before preparing food. In fact, anyone who is ill with a diarrheal … [Read more...]
Girl In Critical Condition with E. coli HUS Linked to Neff’s Lawn Care Picnic
Bill Wharton with the Dayton & Montgomery County Health Department told Food Poisoning Bulletin that a 4-year-old girl is hospitalized in critical condition with hemolytic uremic syndrome, a complication of an E. coli 0157:H7 infection contracted at the Neff's Lawn Care picnic in Germantown Ohio on July 3. Her condition was downgraded to critical on July 12, 2012. So far, 62 people have been sickened in this outbreak and 13 people have been hospitalized. Public health officials have not determined the source of the bacteria. Mr. Wharton said, "there was very little, if any, food left over from the picnic." And many people attending the picnic brought their own foods to the event, complicating matters further. The health department is continuing to interview those who are ill and … [Read more...]
Six Year Old Boy in Massachusetts Died From an E. coli Infection
On May 26, 2012, a six year old boy in Massachusetts died from an E. coli infection, according to the Massachusetts Department of Health and the Worcester Department of Public Health. A press release by the City of Worcester, obtained by Food Poisoning Bulletin, confirms that he died from complications of hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). Anne Roach, spokesperson for the Massachusetts Department of Health, told Food Poisoning Bulletin that that agency has "confirmed the presence of E. coli 0157 in its investigation of the recent death of a child in Worcester County. The epidemiologic investigation remains ongoing and no further details are available." The little boy became sick the week of May 20, 2012 and, as his symptoms worsened, his parents took him to the doctor. He was … [Read more...]
Long Term Effects of Pediatric HUS
An article published in Clinical Infectious Diseases concludes that children who develop hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) after E. coli poisoning must have years of follow-up testing to monitor for signs of long-term health complications. Pediatric HUS can be costly and traumatic. The study, titled "Need for Long-term Follow-up in Enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli-Associated Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome Due to Late Emerging Sequelae" is an important finding for parents of children who have developed HUS. Researchers found that even when patients had fully recovered, they must be closely monitored for at least five years to detect health problems Researchers followed 619 pediatric patients over six years in Austria and Germany and noted that "thirty percent of HUS patients presented … [Read more...]
Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome (HUS)
The E. coli 0157:H7 outbreak linked to raw milk produced by Foundation Farm in Oregon has sickened at least 19 people. Fifteen of those victims are children; four of those children have developed hemolytic uremic syndrome. According to the FDA's Bad Bug Book, it can take just 10 cells of E. coli bacteria to make someone sick. Dr. Heidi Kassenborg of the Minnesota Department of Health told us that bacteria aren't evenly distributed in milk fluids, so milk samples withdrawn for testing may not contain any bacteria, when there actually is bacteria in the product. Hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) is a severe complication of an infection of Shiga-toxin producing E. coli, usually E. coli O157. The toxins damage red blood cells, which creates small clots that clog the filtering system in the … [Read more...]
