3 E coli HUS Cases in Ground Beef E coli Outbreak
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says in its latest update on the ground beef E. Coli outbreak that three of the 16 victims who were hospitalized with matching strains of E. coli O157:H7 have developed E. coli HUS, or hemolytic uremic syndrome.
The CDC report says 25 persons in 10 states have been diagnosed with the outbreak strain of E. coli and that the number could go up or down as microbiologists refine the investigation. Of all the victims, 64 percent are male and 44 percent are under age 18. The patients range in age from one to 84 years old. As reported earlier, two people have died. Of the 25 illnesses, the genetic associations of 22 human isolates and the contaminated ground beef have been confirmed by an advanced secondary DNA test; secondary tests are pending on others.
State and federal health officials continue to warn consumers to check their freezers for ground beef products made by Fairbank Farms of Ashville, New York. The Fairbank Farms meat was sold in mid-September in various retail grocery chain meat cases and more than half a million pounds was recalled by the USDA on Halloween over fears of E. coli O157:H7 . For a complete list of stores involved in the outbreak, click here.
Look for USDA establishment number EST 492 inside the USDA mark of inspection and the identifying package dates of 091409, 091509 and 091609.
Here is the latest compilation of victims and their home states: California (1), Connecticut (4), Massachusetts (8), Maryland (1), Maine (2), New Hampshire (4), New Jersey (1), New York (1), Pennsylvania (2), and Vermont (1).
Our national food safety law firm, Pritzker Olsen Attorneys, currently represents E. coli HUS victims and has years of experience in food poisoning litigation against meatpackers, food companies, corporate farms, grocery chains, restaurants and other purveyors of contaminated food. We have collected millions for victims’ families and our lawyers are sought after for their expertise by trade groups, for convention speaking, and by the media. An important part of our mission is to emphasize the importance of prevention.
This year alone there have been 11 food recalls related to E. coli contamination. With more awareness, more inspection and more diligence, these food poisoning outbreaks are preventable. To contact our firm, call 1-888-377-8900 (Toll Free) or complete our online contact and information form.
