An outbreak of E. coli O157:H7 that sickened a number of Los Burritos Mexicanos patrons in Lombard, Illinois, is still under investigation by local and state health officials who have permitted the restaurant to reopen. A Los Burritos staff worker said Sunday the restaurant has reopened for normal business at its location on 1015 E. Saint Charles Road in Lombard, a western suburb of Chicago. Los Burritos was closed by health officials in mid-June after a cluster of patrons reported gastro-intestinal illness. The first report came on May 24. By June 17, public health technicians confirmed through laboratory testing that the wave of illness was due to food contamination from the pathogen E. coli O157:H7, a sometimes virulent bug that can cause life-threatening cases of hemolytic uremic … [Read more...]
Los Burritos E. coli Outbreak Grows to 17 Cases
The number of cases in the Los Burritos E. coli outbreak in Lombard, Illinois has increased to 17 cases; 9 confirmed and 8 probable. Six people have been hospitalized but all have been released, according to the Chicago Tribune. The restaurant is still closed pending an investigation into the outbreak and how it may have occurred. Public health officials do not know what caused the outbreak and no specific food has been singled out as the possible source of the bacteria. The restaurant is cooperating in the investigation. The restaurant has other locations in other suburbs and no illnesses are associated with those venues. No employees have reported being ill. E. coli O157:H7 is a dangerous pathogen that can cause hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a complication of the infection. HUS … [Read more...]
Los Burritos E. coli Outbreak in Lombard, IL, Child Develops HUS Kidney Failure
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...]
Los Burritos in Lombard, IL Associated with E. coli Outbreak
An outbreak of E. coli O157 has been associated with eating at Los Burritos Mexicanos, located at 1015 E. Saint Charles Road in Lombard, IL, according to the DuPage County Health Department. Los Burritos has been closed pending further results of the investigation. As of the morning of June 17, four people have laboratory-confirmed cases of infection with Shiga toxin-producing E. coli O157:H7 (STEC O157:H7). Two of the four were hospitalized. The specific food responsible for the illnesses has not been determined. Restaurants can be sued for for E. coli food poisoning when the food source of the outbreak is not found, according to attorney Fred Pritzker, a national E. coli lawyer. "In some restaurant outbreak cases, it’s not possible to identify the precise food product responsible … [Read more...]
