Three people are sick in an E. coli O157:H7 outbreak in King County, Washington, according to information from the King County Health Department. No one has been hospitalized and no deaths have been reported. And no source for the pathogen has been identified. Three people from three separate households have been sickened with Shiga toxin-producing E. coli bacteria (STEC). The illness onset dates range from October 4 through October 16, 2022. The patient age range is from 18 to 36 years. Confirmed cases are linked through whole genome sequencing, which means they likely have a common source of infection. Two out of those three patients reported eating dishes that were prepared with raw or undercooked beef before they got sick. But officials cannot rule out other possible sources … [Read more...]
Ottawa County MI E. coli Outbreak Grows to 12 Sick, 2 HUS Cases
![[caption id="attachment_96425" align="alignright" width="249"] Food Safety Lawyer and Food Poisoning Bulletin Publisher Eric Hageman[/caption] Noted food safety attorney Eric Hageman, who has represented many clients in E. coli and HUS lawsuits, said, "We certainly hope that officials can solve these outbreak soon so people stop getting sick. Any E. coli illness is a tragedy, and it's especially tragic when children are sick and hospitalized."](https://foodpoisoningbulletin.com/wp-content/uploads/Kidney-150x150.jpg)
According to Wood TV 8, the Ottawa County MI E. coli outbreak has grown to include 12 sick people with five hospitalized. Derek Glashower of the Ottawa County Health Department told that outlet that two children have "serious kidney complications," which probably means hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). Noted food safety attorney Eric Hageman, who has represented many clients in E. coli and HUS lawsuits, said, "We certainly hope that officials can solve these outbreak soon so people stop getting sick. Any E. coli illness is a tragedy, and it's especially tragic when children are sick and hospitalized." This Ottawa county MI E. coli outbreak is unusual because that area usually sees just two to three cases of E. coli infections every August. This number of illnesses is a significant … [Read more...]
Raw Pet Food Is a Public Health Issue Because of E. coli Contamination
A study published in Microorganisms has found that feeding pets raw pet food comes with a risk of pathogenic bacteria, including Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC), which can cause serious illness in humans and is a public health issue. The study evaluated commercially available raw meat-based diets (RMBDs) in Switzerland. These foods are made of uncooked raw muscle meats, organ meats, and the meaty bones of livestock or wild animals. They are mostly from the by-products of animals that are slaughtered for human consumption. The study looked at the occurrence of STEC isolated from commercially available raw pet food in Switzerland. In a recent study in the U.S., Shiga toxin-producing E. coli bacteria were identified in 4% of commercially available RMBDs. Studies demonstrating … [Read more...]
Jackson County E. coli Outbreak Sickens 15 in Oregon; 10 Hospitalized
A Jackson County E. coli outbreak has sickened at least 15 people, according to a Flash Report from the Jackson County Health Department in Oregon and news outlets. The Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) cases have been occurring since August 1, 2021. Ten people are hospitalized, including several children. There is no indication yet what has caused these illnesses. E. coli outbreaks in the past have been linked to romaine lettuce, cake mix, flour, raw sprouts, restaurants, yogurt, raw milk, and ground beef. Officials are asking healthcare providers in the area to be aware of the increases in this type of illness. They are also asking doctors to refrain from treating any patients who present with gastrointestinal illnesses with antibiotics. When given to STEC patients, … [Read more...]
Adult STEC HUS Disease More Serious and Fatal Than in Children
A new study published in Emerging Infectious Diseases has found that adult STEC HUS disease is more serious and fatal than the same disease in children, even though children are far more likely to develop this complication after an E. coli infection. The retrospective study looked at Shiga toxin-associated hemolytic uremic syndrome in 96 adults who lived in France from 2009 to 2017. The researchers found that 20% of adults in France who had STEC HUS disease died during hospitalization, while less than one percent of children who had STEC-associated HUS died during the same years. The deaths were concentrated in the age group of 60+ years. Furthermore, adults had cerebral involvement three times more often than children. More than 52% of adult patients had severe neurologic … [Read more...]
Maine CDC Warns of Possible E. coli Exposure at Morse’s Sauerkraut
Various news outlets are reporting that the Maine CDC says that there is a possible E. coli exposure at Morse's Sauerkraut located in Waldoboro, Maine. A food handler allegedly worked while infected with Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) from April 1, 2021 through May 13, 2021. The government has determined that patrons of that facility may be at risk for a STEC infection. Anyone who bought deli items from Morse's Sauerkraut between April 1, 2021 and May 13, 2021 should watch for symptoms of this infection. Symptoms usually develop a few days after exposure, but can show up as late as 10 days later. People usually experience a mild fever, nausea and vomiting, severe and painful abdominal and stomach cramps, and diarrhea that is bloody or watery. The Maine CDC recommends that … [Read more...]
How Do You Know If You Have Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome?
Hemolytic uremic syndrome can be a complication of a Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) infection that is a type of kidney failure. People who develop this condition often need dialysis and may even need kidney transplants. They can also suffer seizures. This condition can be life-threatening. Other causes of this condition include taking certain medications, having other types of infections, and inheriting a type of HUS that runs in families. In the group which has developed HUS after an E. coli infection, most are under the age of five. Among children younger than 18 who develop hemolytic uremic syndrome, about 80% have had STEC infections. About 5 to 10% of patients who contract STEC infections develop HUS. All patients with HUS should be hospitalized so their condition and … [Read more...]
Two E. coli Cases in Snohomish County, Washington Added to King County
Two E. coli cases in Snohomish County, Washington state, have been identified, according to a press release from the Snohomish Health District. These cases, in a 20-year-old woman and a 10-year-old child, are apparently connected to the seven children who are sick with Shiga Toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) infections in King County, Washington. The child has been hospitalized, but no further information about him or her has been shared with the public for patient privacy considerations. Dr. Chris Spitters, Health Information Officer for the Snohomish Health District, said in a statement, "The exact source of E. coli contamination can be difficult to pinpoint, but public health interviews lead us to believe the cases may be linked to eating fresh produce. While we continue working … [Read more...]
Seven Children Sick in E. coli Outbreak in King County, Washington State
According to a notice posted by the King County Public Health Department, there are seven children sick in an E. coli outbreak in King County. All are under the age of 14, and three children are under the age of five. Six of the children have been hospitalized. The source of the pathogen has not yet been determined. This new E. coli outbreak in King County has illness onset dates ranging from April 17, 2021 to April 29, 2021. The cases were reported to government officials between April 22, 2021 and May 1, 2021. The investigation is ongoing. Officials have not identified any restaurants, foods, or other sources in common among all of these cases. In fact, investigators do not know if the patients even share the same source of the pathogen. All seven children developed the … [Read more...]
Forty Leafy Greens STEC Outbreaks Occurring During 2009 to 2018
The October 2020 issue of the CDC's Emerging Infectious Diseases has a study about E. coli O157:H7 outbreaks from 2009 to 2018 and found that there were forty leafy greens STEC outbreaks during that time frame. STEC is Shiga toxin-producing E. coli bacteria, most often E. coli O157:H7. Those outbreaks caused 1,212 illnesses, 77 cases of hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), and eight deaths. More of those outbreaks were linked to romaine lettuce than any other type of leafy green. Forty-five percent of those outbreaks occurred in the fall, and 28% occurred in the spring. Leafy greens are the second most common source of foodborne STEC outbreaks, after ground beef. The connection between those two products is that cattle are considered the major reservoir for the pathogen, and STEC … [Read more...]
