Minnesota E. coli Attorney Outbreak Case History
In 2006, the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) investigated an outbreak of suspected E. coli O157:H7 infections in southern Minnesota that may have been connected to reports of infections in Cedar Falls, Iowa, among people who ate at a chain of fast food Mexican-style restaurants.
Three patients with tell-tale symptoms of E. coli O157 infection, including bloody diarrhea and painful cramping, indicated they ate at one of the chain’s restaurants in Albert Lea. These reports were the first of many and state health officials confirmed by late December 2006 that at least 27 Minnesotans had been sickened in the E. coli outbreak from eating at Taco John’s restaurants in Albert Lea and Austin.
The Minnesota cases shared the same genetic fingerprint as outbreak victims in Iowa. Minnesota E. coli attorney Fred Pritzker was actively involved in the outbreak, which is reminiscent in some respects to the current Taco Bell Salmonella outbreak.
In the Taco John’s outbreak, Minnesota Department of Health epidemiologist Kirk Smith said that early evidence pointed to lettuce as the most likely source for the E. coli.
The multi-state Taco Bell Salmonella outbreak has sickened more than 150 people in states around the country, including Kentucky, Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio and Minnesota. The outbreak involves two rare types of Salmonella — Hartford and Baildon. William Keene, senior epidemiologist for the state of Oregon, has said that investigators strongly believe the Taco Bell outbreak is related to contaminated lettuce and/or tomatoes.
Pritzker’s law firm, Pritzker Olsen, is in communication with victims of the Taco Bell outbreak and is accepting cases. For answers to legal questions and to receive a free case consultation, call the firm at 1-888-377-8900 (Toll Free) or complete the contact form on the side of this Minnesota E. coli attorney Web page.
