New York E. coli O145 Outbreak linked to Ohio, Michigan
An E. coli O145 outbreak in New York is being investigated as a companion to related outbreaks in central Ohio and the area around Ann Arbor, Michigan.
New York State Health Department spokesman Jeffrey Hammond said in an e-mail to Columbus Dispatch reporter Misti Crane that officials continue to review about a dozen suspected cases. As a precaution, the department will issue a health-care provider alert statewide.
One New York case in Erie County has already been genetically matched to the outbreak strain of E. coli O145 in Michigan and Ohio. Food safety microbiologist Phyllis Entis is reporting that the New York outbreak has a connection to Daemen College in Buffalo.
The three states are working with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to identify the particular source of contaminated food that is causing the illnesses, which could surpass 50 in number depending on lab confirmations.
In Michigan, at least, health officials are not seeing reports of additional cases. Persons in Michigan who were sickened in the outbreak were exposed to the bacteria between April 7-15.
Most persons sickened with E. coli recover within a week; however, some infections can be serious. The O145 strain of E. coli identified in the current outbreak is less common, but it is still capable of producing severe illness.
A less-common but serious complication of E.coli infection is called hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). It happens in five to 15 percent of cases and is the leading cause of kidney failure among children in the world. HUS is most likely to occur in young children and the elderly. HUS can cause serious kidney damage, brain injury, nervous system disorders, coma, stroke, paralysis and even death.
Pritzker Olsen law firm is actively investigating this outbreak. Even though the food source has not been determined, it is not too early to contact an E. coli lawyer at our law firm for a free consultation regarding your legal rights: 1-888-377-8900 (TOLL FREE) or submit our online consultation form. We are not paid unless you win.
We have recently settled an E. coli case in Michigan and are litigating E. coli cases in Ohio.
Tags: E coli O145, E. coli Outbreak, Freshway Foods Class Action Lawsuit, New York E coli
