The Wendy's Michigan E. coli outbreak has grown to include 43 people sickened and at least 24 hospitalized. Four people have developed hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a type of kidney failure that is a complication of this infection. The CDC total for the state is currently just 15, so this is a dramatic case count increase. The case count includes patients from these counties: Allegan, Branch, Clinton, Genesee, Gratiot, Jackson, Kent, Macomb, Midland, Monroe, Muskegon, Oakland, Ogemaw, Ottawa, Saginaw, Washtenaw, and Wayne. The city of Detroit is also included. The patient age range is from 6 to 94 years. Dr. Alexis Travis, senior deputy director of public health administration at the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services said in as statement, "We are reminding … [Read more...]
Wendy’s Romaine Lettuce Named in Growing E. coli Outbreak
Wendy's romaine lettuce has been named in the growing E. coli outbreak by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). While this has not been confirmed, many sick people reported eating sandwiches made with romaine lettuce at Wendy's restaurants in Michigan, Ohio, and Pennsylvania before getting sick. Based on this information, Wendy's is removing the romaine lettuce used in those sandwiches from restaurants in that region. Wendy's uses a different type of romaine lettuce in their salads. Investigators are trying to confirm whether romaine lettuce is the source of this outbreak, and whether that lettuce was used in Wendy's sandwiches sold in other states. The case count by state is: Indiana (1), Michigan (15), Ohio (19), and Pennsylvania (2). Indiana and Pennsylvania … [Read more...]
Swimming Pool E. coli O157:H7 Outbreak in PA in 2021; 15 Sick
A swimming pool E. coli O157:H7 outbreak in Pennsylvania in June 2021 sickened 15 children, according to the CDC's Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report. The patients were ages 4 to 14; all swam at the pool on May 31, 2021, the opening date, and had no other known common exposure. On June 7, 2021, the Pennsylvania Department of Health received multiple reports of gastrointestinal illness from patrons of a community swimming pool. Two people reported positive Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) and Clostridioides difficile tests from stool specimens. The government ordered the pool closed, and initiated an outbreak response. Confirmed cases were defined as isolation of E. coli O157:H7 or detection of Shiga toxin or Shiga toxin genes from stool specimens of persons who … [Read more...]
Montgomery County Updates Deadly Hepatitis A Restaurant Outbreak
Montgomery County has updated the deadly hepatitis A restaurant outbreak associated with Gino's Ristorante & Pizzeria with more information. Three deaths are linked to this outbreak. There are thirteen cases under investigation. Ten are confirmed and three remain suspect. Ongoing interviews with patients have confirmed that the exposure occurred in late November and no longer presents a risk to the public. MCOPH's Division of Environmental Field Services has lifted the closure of Gino's Ristorante & Pizzeria in West Norriton, Pennsylvania after a conducting a re-opening inspection on Thursday, January 20, 2022. During the inspection, public health officials emphasized the requirement of proper and thorough hand washing and glove/utensil use when handling ready-to-eat … [Read more...]
Gino’s Ristorante & Pizzeria Hepatitis A Outbreak Update
The Gino's Ristorante & Pizzeria Hepatitis A outbreak has been updated with more information, according to news reports. A second death has been confirmed, and a third death is being investigated in relation to this outbreak. Ten cases are confirmed and three probable cases are under investigation by public health officials. The outbreak was confirmed by the Montgomery County Health Department in Pennsylvania on January 7, 2021, and is associated with the restaurant at this time. The restaurant is located at 2401 Main Street in Norristown, Pennsylvania, located in West Norriton Township in that state. Gino's Ristorante & Pizzeria management has denied responsibility for the outbreak and has issued a statement that says, in part, "We offer our heartfelt condolences to the … [Read more...]
Gino’s Ristorante & Pizzeria Closed in Deadly PA Hepatitis A Outbreak Investigation
Gino's Ristorante & Pizzeria in West Norriton Township, Pennsylvania has been temporarily closed in the deadly hepatitis A outbreak announced this week by Montgomery County officials. The restaurant is located at 2401 Main Street in Norristown. The closure will remain in place while public health officials investigate this outbreak. As of January 7, 2021, 11 cases are under investigation. That is an increase of three cases since the outbreak was announced. Nine cases are confirmed. Of the nine people who are confirmed, seven have been hospitalized. One death is confirmed, and an additional death is under investigation. The exposure to the virus allegedly occurred in late November, 2021, according to the county press release. The source of the virus is under investigation. And … [Read more...]
Eight Sick and One Possible Death in PA Hepatitis A Outbreak
Eight people are sick and there is one possible death in a Pennsylvania hepatitis A outbreak that is associated with an unnamed Italian restaurant, according to a health advisory issued by the Pennsylvania Department of Health (PADOH) and the Montgomery County Office of Public Health (MCOPH). That restaurant is located in Montgomery County in Southeast Pennsylvania. The eight cases are all lab-confirmed. Of seven people who gave information to public health investigators about their health, six, or 86%, have been hospitalized. One death is under investigation at this time. Healthcare providers in the area should consider hepatitis A as a diagnosis in anyone who presents with jaundice or elevated liver enzymes and clinically compatible symptoms of the disease. All cases must be … [Read more...]