An epidemiological investigation is under way in Washtenaw County, Michigan, where at least 10 people have been sickened by an apparent outbreak of E. coli.
Officials say the probe is in its early stages. They are searching for a cause of the Michigan E. coli outbreak to help prevent more people from getting sick. Victims are being interviewed about what they ate during the seven days prior to falling ill. The process can lead to a common denominator food source that can then be tested for bacteria.
Residents of the area around Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti were warned of the current foodborne illness outbreak in a news release quoting Dr. Diana Torres-Burgos, MD, MPH, Medical Director of Washtenaw County Public Health.
“We are still working to determine the full scope of the outbreak and to identify the specific strain of bacteria responsible,” she said.
In the current Michigan outbreak, symptoms include abdominal cramping followed by diarrhea that progressively worsens and is often bloody. Ill persons have not experienced fever. Anyone with similar symptoms should seek medical attention and asked to be tested for E. coli. Individuals are also asked to report suspected E. coli illness to Washtenaw County Public Health.
For answers to legal questions about the Washtenaw outbreak, call an E. coli lawyer at national food safety law firm Pritzker Olsen at 1-888-377-8900 (Toll Free) or complete our online contact form.
E. coli poisoning is not to be taken lightly — especially when it comes to young children, the elderly and those with compromised immune systems. In five to 15 percent of cases, patients develop life-threatening hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) or an associated disease known as thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP).
Kidney failure is common in these complications of E. coli, but lasting damage can also be done to the central nervous system, heart and brain.
