Vancouver Daycare E. coli Claims Life of Toddler
Health officials in Vancouver, Washington, have told news reporters that Dianne and Larry Fletch ran a daycare from inside their home without receiving any valid complaints since they started it in 1990.
But last month, a 4-year-old boy in the home contracted an infection of E. coli O157:H7 that led to his death this week in a hospital. Three other children also were hospitalized with the same strain of E. coli, but have recovered enough to go home.
Health investigators have tested all 22 child attendees, as well as four adults. Six people were found to be carrying the E. coli strain, but weren’t necessarily showing symptoms. The Fletch home was shutdown for daycare purposes on April 2. It will remain closed at least through part of next week.
The Vancouver daycare E. coli outbreak and the devastating death of the 4-year-old boy have sparked an investigation that may or may not determine the exact origin of the outbreak. (Consumption of contaminated ground beef is the leading cause.) But it is clear that officials are looking at the possibility that improper handwashing and hygiene fueled person-to-person transmission of the E. coli.
A news release from the Clark County Public Health Department says health workers will closely monitor children and staff until next week and anyone who develops symptoms will not be allowed to attend or work in a day care facility until their symptoms resolve and they have two negative tests 24 hours apart.
“We believe that this outbreak was associated with the day care and that control measures are in place to prevent additional exposure in the community,” said Dr. Alan Melnick, the county’s health officer.
Person-to-person transmission of E. coli is a daycare hazard that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has documented for years. According to the CDC, daycare centers are the most likely setting for a person-to-person outbreak of E. coli O157:H7. Transmission is fecal-oral. Babies and toddlers constantly have their hands in their mouths and are constantly being handled by the same staff members who change diapers.
The devastating death of the 4-year-old boy in Vancouver will undoubtedly focus more attention on this problem. It is vital for all daycare providers to remember that young children are most at risk for developing severe complications from E. coli. Anyone of any age can get an infection, but young children and older adults are most at risk for getting dangerously ill.
In 5 to 15 percent of cases, children develop hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), which is the leading cause of kidney failure worldwide in children. But the disease, which is driven by powerful toxins emitted by E. coli O157:H7 organisms, also can result in severe neurological damage, heart problems, multi-organ shutdown, brain injury, stroke, convulsions and coma.
The food poisoning lawyers at Pritzker Olsen have represented many families affected by E. coli infection and HUS and the firm is conducting its own investigation of the Vancouver daycare E. coli outbreak. For answers to legal questions about it, call the firm at 1-888-377-8900 (Toll Free). We are accepting cases from the Fletch daycare and will provide anyone a free consultation on the questions surrounding liability and recovery.
Pritzker Olsen is one of the few law firms in the country practicing extensively in the area of foodborne illness litigation and we are involved in practically every major outbreak. Over the years we have collected tens of millions for our clients. We also are actively involved in measures to prevent foodborne illness, including support for the food safety reform bill currentlly before Congress.
Tags: Daycare E coli, HUS Litigation
