The E. coli O157 outbreak in Knox County, Tennessee that sickened fifteen children had two sources, according to the Knox County Health Department. Fifteen confirmed cases were reported to KCHD in the last several weeks in this Tennessee E. coli outbreak. Nine of those children were hospitalized because they were so sick in this Tennessee E. coli outbreak. Seven patients developed hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a type of kidney failure. Of the children who were hospitalized, one remains in fair condition at Tennessee Children's Hospital. Lab reports confirmed that two different strains of E. coli O157 bacteria caused these illnesses. KCHD Director Dr. Martha Buchanan said in a statement, "“While it is rare, it appears we had two sets of children sickened by two different strains … [Read more...]
Tennessee E. coli Outbreak That Sickened 15 Children Had Two Sources; Lawsuits Possible
E. coli Outbreak Associated with Raw Milk and Farm Animals in TN Updated; Lawsuits May Be Filed
The E. coli O157 outbreak associated with raw milk and contact with farm animals in Tennessee has been updated by the Knox County Health Department. Public health officials are investigating any potential connections between these two likely sources, and it is possible that there are two unrelated E. coli clusters. At least ten children have been sickened in this outbreak. The health department is conducting extensive interviews with the families of the ill children. They are also contacting people who may be at risk to see if anyone in that household is ill, examining all potential sources; plotting symptom onset to aid in determining the first case in this outbreak, potential exposures and the type of outbreak; analyzing the statistical significance of the findings; and collecting … [Read more...]
E. coli O157 Outbreak in Tennessee Updated by Knox County Health Department; Lawsuits May Be Filed
The E. coli O157 outbreak in Tennessee associated with raw milk and contact with farm animals has been updated by the Knox County Health Department. The media release states, "To date, more than 10 cases of E. coli O157 have been reported to KCHD all are among young children. No new E. coli cases were reported over the weekend. However the incubation period for E. coli is two to 10 days." At least four of those children have been hospitalized; all have hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a type of kidney failure. The common link among most of the sick children in this E. coli O157 outbreak is raw milk from French Broad Farm, a local cow-share dairy in Knox County. Public health officials are advising the public not to consume raw ilk or any other unpasteurized products they may have … [Read more...]
E. coli O157 Outbreak Associated with Raw Milk in Knox County, TN; Several Attended A Kids Place; Lawsuits Possible
The Knox County Health Department is still investigating a cluster of E. coli O157 cases in children that are "likely associated" with consumption of raw milk and contact with farm animals. More than 10 illnesses have been reported to the KCHD. All are among children. One new development is that several of those sick children attended A Kids Place, a childcare facility in Mascot, Tennessee. Last week a report was received telling officials about that illness. KCHD reviewed the case lab report. The news update states, "Several other cases reported attending A Kids Place, Inc. During the investigation, exposure to ruminant farm animals was identified as a potential source of infection. All cases were among an age group that was housed in one portion of the facility. That portion is … [Read more...]
E. coli O157 Outbreak HUS in Tennessee Associated with Raw Milk, Animals at French Broad Farm in Knoxville; Lawsuits May Be Filed
An E. coli O157 outbreak in the Knoxville, Tennessee area has sickened several children and has hospitalized four. Most of the children are "known to have consumed raw milk from a local cow-share dairy," according to a media release issued by the Knox County Health Department (KCHD). Because of this outbreak, KCHD is advising the public not to consume any raw milk or any other unpasteurized products from French Broad Farm in Knoxville, Tennessee at this time. Public health officials are also recommending that consumers discard all raw milk and any unpasteurized products they may have purchased from this farm. It's a good idea to clean your fridge well with a mild bleach solution after you discard the raw milk. The farm is not currently operating, so any further exposure to farm … [Read more...]
E. coli Outbreak in Knox County, Tennessee Sickens Several Children
An E. coli outbreak in Knox County, Tennessee has sickened several children, according to the Health Department. According to news reports, the only common factors officials can confirm at this time is that the cases are in this E. coli outbreak are occurring during the same time period. Martha Buchanan, Director of the Knox County Health Department told WATE.com, "We don't We don't have anything for the public to do with any information right now. Right now, we're really working on getting those details, gathering that information, and laying out that picture to see what it tells us about where we need to go next." She added that it's uncommon to have that many cases at one time. Typically, there are about 19 cases of E. coli illnesses that occur every year. The symptoms of … [Read more...]
Salmonella Outbreak at Fish Fry in Lascassas, TN Sickens 54
A Salmonella outbreak at a Lascassas Fire Department Fish Fry in Tennessee has sickened at least 54 people, Woody McMillin, Director of Communication and Media Relations of the Tennessee Department of Health told Food Poisoning Bulletin. That event was held on September 10, 2016. Public health officials have not been able to determine the cause of this outbreak. The investigation is continuing with patient interviews and laboratory testing. The outbreak was discovered after clinicians in Rutherford County started reporting Salmonella cases. As of Friday, September 23, 2016, there are 54 possible cases. Eight of those cases have been lab-confirmed. Fourteen people have been hospitalized because their illnesses are so serious. There is no word on patient age range, dates of illness … [Read more...]
E. coli O157:H7 Ground Beef Recalled, Possible TN Outbreak
Snap's Ferry Packing Company of Tennessee is recalling 410 pounds of ground beef that may be contaminated with E. coli O157:H7. The product was distributed to restaurants in Knoxville, Tennessee and was not sold at retail. There is an outbreak that may be linked to this recall. The recalled product is 5 pound packages of Ground Beef with a packaging date of November 20, 2015. The product has the establishment number "Est. 9085" inside the USDA mark of inspection. The problem was discovered on January 19, 2016, when a positive test for E. coli O157:H7 was traced back to the establishment as a result of an illness investigation in Tennessee. FSIS is working with the Tennessee Department of Health and Knox County Health Department on the investigation. E. coli is a potentially deadly … [Read more...]
Cryptosporidiosis Outbreak Associated with Raw Milk in TN
The Tennessee Department of Health (TDH) is investigating multiple gastrointestinal disease reports among people who consumed raw milk before they got sick. Two cases of cryptosporidiosis have been confirmed in people who live in the Chattanooga/Hamilton County Region. Both cases are associated with raw milk consumption from a dairy cow share program. In the last few months, other individuals have been interviewed about sporadic cases of Campylobacter and Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC), who also drank raw milk from different sources. TDH Commissioner Dr. John Dreyzehener said, "Consuming raw milk in the belief it's healthier than pasteurized milk is a perilous risk that shakes off the possibility of a range of serious and occasionally fatal illnesses for the individuals and … [Read more...]
Possible Raw Milk E. coli Outbreak at McBee Dairy Farm in Tennessee
A possible E. coli outbreak is associated with raw milk sold from McBee Dairy Farm in Mascot, Tennessee. WATE TV is reporting that several children have been sickened by the pathogenic bacteria. At least three children have been hospitalized. Consumers have been advised to stop drinking the raw cow and goat milk from that farm. The Knox County Health Department is contacting anyone who may have purchased these products. Raw milk sales are legal in Tennessee, as long as the consumer "owns" the cow through cow-share agreements. E. coli, Campylobacter, Salmonella, and Listeria bacteria are found in raw milk. Those at greatest risk for serious illness from these bacteria include the very young, elderly, pregnant women, and those with chronic illnesses and compromised immune systems. From … [Read more...]
