The hospitalization rate and hemolytic uremic syndrome case count in the deadly E. coli O157:H7 HUS outbreak that is linked to romaine lettuce has been very high. Typically, in an E. coli outbreak, about 30% of patients are hospitalized, and about 5 to 10% develop hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). But in this outbreak, the hospitalization rate is almost 50%, and 13% of those patients have developed HUS. Why is the hospitalization rate and the HUS rate so high in this particular outbreak? Typically, the group most susceptible to developing HUS is children under the age of 5. The patient age range in this outbreak is from 1 to 88. There could be quite a few children sick, which may explain the high HUS rate. Another explanation for the high HUS rate and the high hospitalization … [Read more...]
Why Are There So Many HUS Complications in the E. coli O157:H7 Romaine Outbreak? An Attorney Answers
Romaine E. coli O157:H7 HUS Outbreak Spreads to Canada; More Lawsuits?
The E. coli O157:H7 HUS outbreak linked to romaine lettuce that is plaguing the United States has moved to Canada, according to a Public Health Notice posted by the Public Health Agency of Canada. Six people in that country are sick with E. coli O57 infections with a "similar genetic fingerprint" to illnesses in the U.S. Two of those sickened said they visited the U.S. before they got sick. Three people got sick in Canada, and information is pending for the fourth person. The notice states that the likely source of the outbreak in Canada is romaine lettuce from the Yuma growing regions in the U.S. The case count in Canada is: British Columbia (1), Alberta (1), Saskatchewan (2), and Ontario (2). The patients got sick between late March and mid-April 2018. One of the Canadian cases … [Read more...]
Multistate Salmonella Braenderup Outbreak Linked to Rose Acre Farms Shell Eggs Grows to 35 Sick; Lawsuits May Be Filed
The multistate Salmonella Braenderup outbreak linked to recalled Rose Acre Farms shell eggs has now sickened 35 people in nine states. Eleven people have been hospitalized, and no deaths have been reported. The case count by state is: Colorado (1), Florida (2), New Jersey (1), New York (8), North Carolina (5), Pennsylvania (6), South Carolina (3), Virginia (8), and West Virginia (1). Eleven people have been hospitalized, which at 39% is a high percentage for a Salmonella outbreak. The patient age range is from 1 to 90 years. Illness started on dates ranging from November 16, 2017 to April 14, 2018. Eighty-eight percent of 25 people sickened in this Salmonella Braenderup outbreak who were interviewed said they ate shell eggs before they got sick. Sixty-four percent said they ate … [Read more...]
Attorney Explains How E. Coli O157:H7 Bacteria Cause STEC Infection and HUS and Why Lawsuits Are Filed in the Romaine Lettuce Outbreak
With the multistate E. coli O157:H7 HUS outbreak linked to romaine lettuce sickening so many people in the U.S., many people are asking for details about this bacteria and what a STEC infection does to the human body. We asked an attorney to explain how E. coli bacteria damage the body and why people file lawsuits. Most types of E. coli bacteria won't hurt you. But some, especially the kinds that produce Shiga toxins, can cause serious illness and can even be deadly. E. coli are rod-shaped, gram-negative bacteria. They are found everywhere: in food, in soil, and in the intestines of people and animals, especially ruminant animals such as cows and goats. The E. coli bacteria that cause illness are called Shiga toxin-producing E. coli, or STEC. The most common STEC is E. coil … [Read more...]
FDA Says Romaine From Yuma Not Being Distributed; Lawyer Says E. coli O157:H7 HUS Outbreak May Continue
The FDA released a statement on May 9, 2018, saying that the Arizona Leafy GreenS marketing Agreement administered by the Arizona Department of Agriculture has confirmed that romaine lettuce is no longer being produced and distributed from the Yuma, Arizona growing region. This is the area that produced the lettuce linked to a multistate E. coli O157:H7 HUS outbreak that has sickened 149 people in 29 states. Seventeen of those patients have developed hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), which can destroy the kidneys. But the lettuce has a 21-day shelf life. That means it could still be available in restaurants and supermarkets, and consumers could still have it in their homes. The government can not be certain that romaine lettuce from that region is no longer in the supply … [Read more...]
Minnesota, California, Pennsylvania, and Idaho Hardest Hit by E. coli O157:H7 HUS Outbreak Linked to Chopped Romaine Lettuce; Some May Sue
The E. coli O157:H7 HUS outbreak that is linked to romaine lettuce is the largest of its kind since 2006. As of May 8, 2018, 149 people living in 29 states are sick. Sixty-four people have been hospitalized, and seventeen have developed HUS. One person, who lived in California, has died. The states that are hardest hit are Minnesota, California, Pennsylvania, and Idaho. Most patients ate chopped romaine lettuce before their illnesses began. In Minnesota, 10 people are sick. California has the largest number of case patients, with 30 ill. In Pennsylvania, 20 people are sick. And in Idaho, there are 11 people with this infection. Public health officials have still not figured out exactly which farm or farms the lettuce came from. One, Harrison Farms in Yuma, Arizona, grew some of … [Read more...]
Romaine Lettuce E. coli O157:H7 HUS Outbreak Grows to 149 Sick; Lawsuits Filed
The E. coli O157:H7 HUS outbreak that is linked to romaine lettuce has grown again. Now 149 people are sick in 29 states. Of the 129 of those 149 who have been interviewed, 64, or 50%, have been hospitalized because they are so sick. Seventeen people have developed hemolytic uremic syndrome, or HUS, a type of kidney failure that is a complication of this type of infection. One death was reported in California. Lawsuits have been filed in this outbreak. Since the last update on May 2, 2018, 28 more ill persons have been added to the outbreak total. Four more states have been added too: Minnesota, Florida, North Dakota, and Texas. The case count by state is: Alaska (8), Arizona (8), California (30), Colorado (2), Connecticut (2), Florida (1), Georgia (5), Idaho (11), Illinois (2), … [Read more...]
Ten People Sickened in Minnesota E. coli O157:H7 HUS Outbreak Linked to Romaine Lettuce: Lawsuits Possible
Ten people are sick in a Minnesota E. coli O157:H7 HUS outbreak that is linked to romaine lettuce, according to a press release issued by the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH). Those patients are not counted in the 121 case count total sickened nationwide in the update that the CDC issued last week. Three of the patients have been hospitalized in this Minnesota E. coli O157:H7 HUS outbreak; two have developed hemolytic uremic syndrome, a type of kidney failure. The cases are from both the metro area and greater Minnesota counties. Ninety percent of the patients are female. Fred Pritzker, a noted food safety attorney with officers in Minneapolis said, "This case count puts Minnesota in the group of states most affected by this serious outbreak. Everyone should be aware of … [Read more...]
Lawyer Investigates: How Did Romaine Lettuce Get Contaminated in the E. coli O157:H7 HUS Outbreak?
The E. coli O157:H7 HUS outbreak that is linked to romaine lettuce from Yuma, Arizona has baffled investigators. One farm, Harrison Farms in Yuma, has been named as the source of lettuce that sickened eight people in Alaska. But other than issuing a blanket warning about romaine harvested in the Yuma region, no distributors, farms, processors, or stores have been named. As of May 2, 2018, there are 121 people sick in this outbreak. Fifty-two people have been hospitalized. Fourteen have developed hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a type of kidney failure. And one person, who lived in California, died. Briefly, the New Jersey Department of Health named a restaurant that may have served some of the romaine lettuce that made people sick. But the CDC and FDA have not named that … [Read more...]
Deadly E. coli O157:H7 HUS Outbreak Linked to Romaine Reaches North Dakota; Lawyer Explains Why Outbreak May Grow
The deadly E. coli O157:H7 HUS outbreak that is linked to romaine lettuce from the Yuma, Arizona growing region has reached North Dakota. The North Dakota Department of Health (NDDoH) issued a press release that states one person in that state is now part of this outbreak. That brings the number of states with outbreak case patients to 26. A second case in North Dakota may be associated with this outbreak; officials are still investigating. Nationally, more than 120 people are sick in this outbreak. At least 52 people have been hospitalized, and fourteen have been diagnosed with hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). One person, who lived in California, has died. Officials did not say how old the patient from North Dakota is, or where he or she lived. The illness onset date was also … [Read more...]
