CDC Tracks Another Increase in E. coli Cases
The U.S. Summary of Notifiable Diseases for calendar year 2008 was published this week by Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
For Shiga Toxin-Producing E. coli, a category dominated by E. coli O157:H7, the total number of cases grew for the fourth straight year to 5,309. By month, the two highest totals were recorded in August (843 cases) and July (668). The lowest monthly total for E. coli cases in 2008 was 147 in February.
The CDC didn’t provide a breakdown of the incidence rate, but it noted in highlights to the report that 2004 was the last year in which E. coli O157:H7 was measured at an incidence rate that met the U.S. Healthy People 2010 goal of less than 1 case per 100,000 population. “Since then, the incidence has increased,” the report says.
Here’s a look at the total number of confirmed E. coli cases tracked by CDC since 2004 in the United States:
- 2004 — 3,169
- 2005 — 3,529
- 2006 — 4,432
- 2007 — 4,847
- 2008 — 5,309
Law firm Pritzker Olsen is one of the country’s leading practitioners of E. coli litigation and other lawsuits stemming from foodborne illness. If you or a loved one has been sickened by E. coli, contact us for a free case consultation at 1-888-377-8900 (Toll Free) or submit the contact form on the side of this Web page.
Over the years we have collected millions for victims of E. coli O157:H7 infection and other types of food poisoning. This includes handling of many serious cases of hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) and thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP).
As a law firm for victims we are involved in practically every major outbreak of foodborne illness and are dedicated to taking an active role in efforts to prevent E. coli outbreaks and reduce the spread of disease from contamination in our food supply.
Tags: E. coli O157:H7, E. coli Outbreak
