Columbus Public Health is investigating an Ohio E. coli outbreak of food poisoning that is related to an outbreak in Michigan.
A press release from the health agency said the outbreak does not involve the most familiar type of E. coli — O157. The Columbus Dispatch is reporting that this non-O157 E. coli outbreak includes students at Ohio State University and the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. E. coli O145 and E. coli O111 are examples of non-O157 type.
Dr. Mysheika LeMaile-Williams, Medical Director for the City of Columbus, said, “we are actively doing everything we can to identify the source of infection.” The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is assisting along with state health department officials in Ohio and Michigan.
LeMaile-Williams said that of five confirmed cases in Ohio, two have been genetically matched to cases in Michigan. Six other probable cases in Ohio and others in Michigan are being checked out.
Susan R. Cerniglia, spokeswoman for Washtenaw County Public Health in Michigan, told the Dispatch that several of the sickened Ann Arbor residents ate at common places and those places were being considered as possible sources.
But in light of the newly-connected Columbus cases, “now it’s looking more like something broader, like a food-distribution issue,” Cerniglia said. She said there is no indication at this point that anyone was sickened while traveling to another city.
In Michigan, health officials have confirmed seven cases in the Ann Arbor area and are looking at 14 others. Everyone in that investigation became ill between April 9 and April 15, Cerniglia said. Mid-April also was the time period for the start of many of the Ohio cases that are under investigation.
E. coli non – O157 causes diarrhea that often turns bloody. Although most healthy adults can recover completely within a week, some people can develop life-threatening hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) or an associated disease known as thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP).
These illnesses often result in kidney failure, but can also cause stroke, brain damage, paralysis, coma, heart damage and destruction of the colon.
At this time, the investigation is ongoing in central Ohio. Public health authorities are recommending that individuals experiencing symptoms consult with their medical provider.
For answers to legal questions about this outbreak, call food safety law firm Pritzker Olsen at 1-888-377-8900 (Toll Free) or complete our online contact form. Our firm represents victims of food poisoning in every corner of the country and we have collected millions for our clients.
We also actively support various efforts to prevent foodborne illness because our experience tells us that nearly all outbreaks are preventable.
