Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome (HUS) is a life-threatening complication of E. coli infections that primarily affects young children. HUS causes kidney failure, seizure, stroke, coma and death. Because March is Kidney Month, it’s a good time to learn the risks and symptoms of HUS. With about 7,500 cases reported n the United States each year, HUS from E. coli infections is the most common cause of serious kidney injury in children and the most common cause of E. coli deaths. And most E. coli infections in children are caused by contaminated food or drinks. E. coli outbreaks have been linked to hamburger, mechanically tenderized steak, lettuce, spinach, sprouts, raw milk, raw cheese, unpasteurized apple cider, strawberries, hazelnuts, frozen pizza and other frozen food products, cookie … [Read more...]
Farm Rich Frozen Snacks Carried E. coli O121 Across Country
Three federal agencies traced a 2013 outbreak of E. coli O121 to Farm Rich brand frozen snacks, including mini pizza slices, mozzarella bites, mini quesadillas and philly cheese steaks. A broad recall of those products was launched, including Schwan's and Market Day brand frozen snacks produced at the same Farm Rich plant in Waycross, Georgia. Across 19 states, a total of 35 people were confirmed as case patients in this outbreak, including two who suffered kidney failure and other harms from a toxic E. coli complication known as hemolytic uremic syndrome. Ohio, Texas, Michigan and New York were among the hardest hit states in the Farm Rich E. coli outbreak, which lasted six months as consumers went to their freezers while unaware of the contamination. Farm Rich E. coli lawsuit evidence … [Read more...]
What is Source of Oregon HUS Cases?
Health officials in Oregon have not determined the source of E.coli poisoning that this month gave three children hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) and killed one of them. In 2012, raw milk was the source of an E.coli outbreak gave three children HUS, one of whom required a kidney transplant. Twelve other children and four adults were also sickened in that outbreak which was linked to raw milk produced by Foundation Farm located in Clackamas County. Lab tests showed that the E. coli O157 isolates from eight of the patients matched isolates from samples taken from the farm and from some raw milk. The 15 children who were sickened ranged in age from 18 months to 19 years old. The 18 month old was one of the four patients who were hospitalized. Raw milk laws are different in each state. … [Read more...]
Deadly E. coli Cases in Pacific NW Have Officials Scrambling to Find Source
E.coli illnesses that have killed two children and left another hospitalized in serious condition have health authorities in the Pacific Northwest scrambling to find the source. At this point in the investigation, they believe two of the cases are linked but do not believe that there is a public health threat. The two cases that are likely linked are Brad Sutton, 5, and his friend Serena Profitt, 4. Their families have been lifelong friends and spent the last two weekends of August together. During that time, the children swam in a pond fed by running irrigation water, shared a turkey sandwich at a restaurant and had exposure to a goat and other animals. All three are potential sources of the infection. Symptoms of an E. coli infection, which include bloody diarrhea and abdominal … [Read more...]
E. coli Leaves 1 Child Dead, Another Fighting for Life
Brad Sutton, 5, and his friend Serena Profitt, 4, went swimming and shared a restaurant sandwich on Labor Day weekend. Days later, both children became gravely ill with E.coli infections. Now Brad is on dialysis fighting for his life and both families are mourning the loss of Serena who died on Monday at Doernbecher Children’s Hospital. Both children developed hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) a complication of E.coli infections that leads to kidney failure. HUS, which generally occurs around the eighth day after of an E. coli infection, most often affects young children. About 15 percent of children under ten who contract an E. coli infection develop HUS. In addition to kidney failure, HUS can cause blindness, convulsions, heart attack, seizures, stroke and coma. Dialysis is one of … [Read more...]
E. coli Takes Life of 4-Year-Old Oregon Girl
A 4-year-old Oregon girl has died from complications of an E.coli infection she contracted Labor Day weekend. Serena Profitt was surrounded by her family and friends when she was removed from life support at Doernbecher Children's Hospital around 9:30 p.m. last night. "She's the most vibrant young girl ever; she's just sweet loving and so amazing, so smart, just a heart that is of gold," aunt Aleahsa Hargitt, told Fox 12 News. Serena became sick after a visit to Lincoln City. Her family brought her to a hospital in McMinnville. After she went into kidney failure, she was rushed to Doernbecher where she was diagnosed with E. coli. She seemed fine on Sunday morning, but suffered a stroke at 4:00 p.m. Serena was suffering from hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a complication that … [Read more...]
HUS Kidney Failure from Shredded Lettuce: The Federico’s Story
E. coli HUS patients from last summer's major E. coli O157:H7 restaurant outbreak are able to look back now with durable evidence that contaminated shredded lettuce caused their kidney failure. Records produced by the Maricopa County Departments of Public Health and Environmental Services explain in some detail how the E. coli food poisoning cases clustered among scores of people who dined at one Phoenix-area Federico's Mexican Restaurant. Foodborne outbreaks of E. coli O157:H7 in restaurants can have devastating effects. What typically starts with fever may develop into full-blown hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) -- a disease that is particularly devastating in children, the elderly or others who have underdeveloped or weakened immune systems. In the Federico's outbreak, public health … [Read more...]
Blood Drive For OK Boy Battling E. coli HUS Kidney Failure
The Oklahoma Blood Institute is holding a special blood drive for eight-year-old Connor Sneary, one of the youngest victims of an E. coli outbreak associated with the Oklahoma Youth Expo. A dozen people became sick after attending the event held in March at the Oklahoma state fairgrounds. Sneary and another child, who is two years old, have both been hospitalized with hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a life-threatening complication of E. coli infections in young children that causes kidney failure and other complications. Sneary is undergoing dialysis and blood transfusions in the intensive care unit at OU Children's Hospital, according to local news reports. He is in critical condition. The blood drive for him will be held on Tuesday, April 8, from noon to 6 p.m., at the First … [Read more...]
E. coli O157:H7 Outbreak in Humboldt County, California, 3 Developed HUS Kidney Failure
At least 4 people have been sickened in an E. coli O157:H7 outbreak in Humboldt County, California, according to the Humboldt County Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS). Of those, 3 developed hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a severe complication of E. coli poisoning that causes kidney failure. The first E. coli case was reported in July of this year, the second in the middle of August and the other two in October. Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) testing done by the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) found that the 4 cases are connected. "PFGE finds the genetic fingerprint of an E. coli isolate," explains Fred Pritzker, a national food safety lawyer who represents E. coli victims. "When people are sickened by E. coli with matching PFGE patterns, it means … [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...]
