Michigan E. coli Outbreak Investigation Continues
Health officials are continuing to investigate the Michigan E. coli outbreak linked to The Ambassador restaurant in the Upper Peninsula town of Houghton, a health department spokeswoman has confirmed.
At least seven people who dined at the restaurant in late December have confirmed cases of E. coli poisoning, four of them have been hospitalized, according to the Western Upper Peninsula Health Department.
.jpg)
Health officials have determined that the likely source of the outbreak was a food-handler at the restaurant who was ill. They are urging anyone who became ill with bloody diarrhea in late December or early January to contact the health department.
The bacteria E.coli can cause serious sometimes fatal infections if ingested. Symptoms of an E.coli infection include severe abdominal cramping and diarrhea. Young children, the elderly, or those who are immunocompromised are most at risk. In roughly 8 percent of cases, patients develop Hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) a condition that causes kidney failure and requires hospitalization for treatment which can include dialysis and transfusions.
If you have legal questions about an illness or hospitalization associated with this outbreak, contact the foodborne illness attorneys at PritzkerOlsen P.A. for free consultation. A toll free number is also available: 1(888) 377-8900.
E. coli O157:H7 Transmits Easily from Infected Restaurant Workers to Unsuspecting Customers
E. coli O157:H7 is an organism easily transmitted from person to person and the best prevention against foodborne illness is to wash hands before preparing food and avoid handling food when ill. The latest example of what can happen when an infected person goes to work at a restaurant is on display in Houghton, Michigan, where the Western Upper Penninsula Health Department continues to investigate an outbreak linked to The Ambassador Restaurant.
Dr. Terry Frankovich, the agency’s medical director, said the likely source of the Christmas-time outbreak was an ill food-handler. Five people initially were confirmed as case patients, including a customer from Wisconsin. Later, two more diners were identified as infected by the outbreak strain of E. coli O157:H7. Local authorities are asking any Ambassador customers who came down with bloody diarrhea after eating at the restaurant in late December or early January to come forward by reaching an attorney or calling the health department directly at 906-482-7382.
According to health department records reviewed by national food safety law firm Pritzker Olsen Attorneys, The Ambassador did fairly well in six inspections conducted between January 20, 2010 and August 1, 2011. One of the inspections found food storage temperatures out of compliance, but the problem was rectified by the time inspectors did a follow-up, the records show.
An E. coli lawyer from Pritzker Olsen is continuing to investigate the outbreak and can provide any concerned family or individual a free case consultation at 1-888-377-8900 (Toll Free) or leave your contact information and the attorney will call you.
In some people, especially young children, the elderly, or those who are immunocompromised, a more severe illness, even death, can result from E. coli O157:H7. Hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS)
occurs in about 8 percent of infections. Persons with this illness have kidney failure and may require dialysis and transfusions. In The Ambassador E. coli outbreak, four people were hospitalized.
A good E. coli lawyer will seek recoveries that not only address medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering and other harms, but also will compensate a victims for harms that will continue into the future. Studies have shown that even people with uncomplicated E. coli illness can suffer vascular injuries and related problems that can last throughout a person’s life. Food poisoning lawsuits and negotiations seek to hold suppliers and service providers accountable for introducing dangerous pathogens into the food supply.
Long-Term Risks of E.coli Poisoning
Every year, more than a quarter of a million Americans are sickened by Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) , according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). E. coli O157:H7 is the most common STEC strain and it is the strain at the heart of the outbreak linked to The Ambassador restaurant in Houghton, Michigan that has sickened seven people, four of whom required hospitalization.
In some cases, between 5 and 10 percent, those diagnosed with an STEC infection, develop a potentially life threatening complication called Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome (HUS) and require hospitalization becasue of potential kidney failure. HUS usually effects children under 10, but it can also effect adolescents and adults. HUS usually runs its course within 15 days, but it can lead to serious long-term illness including:
Kidney Failure
HUS is the leading cause of kidney failure in children. Impaired urine production during HUS can lead to long-term health consequences including chronic kidney impairment.
Neurological Damage
During the acute stage of HUS, patients can experience seizures, stroke or coma. These can cause long-lasting or permanent neurological damage.
Diabetes
During the acute phase of HUS, patients can develop diabetes, which can persist over the long term.
Gastro-intestinal problems
HUS patients are at risk of developing gall stones, irritable bowel syndrome, or experiencing a narrowing of the small intestine or colon.
If you have questions about an illness or hospitalization associated with this outbreak, contact the attorneys at PritzkerOlsen P.A. for a free consultation.
Organic Pastures Had Other Food Safety Issues Before Raw Milk E. coli Outbreak
Organic Pastures, California’s largest producer of raw milk, halted production last week after an E.coli outbreak that sickened five children was linked to the dairy’s raw milk. Owner Mark McAfee maintains his milk is healthful and risk-free, but this is not the first time the dairy has had trouble with food safety issues.
The Fresno County Department of Health has inspected Organic Pastures 10 times over the last 15 months. Four of those were routine inspections where “significant violations” were found that required mandatory re-inspection. Some of these violations were for unsanitary conditions, such as a broken toilet, lack of hot water for hand washing in the bathroom sink, manure on barn walls and exit ramps and under barn mats, all of which were cited in a report from August 24, 2010. Other reports site the lack of a concrete pad at a docking station and beneath a mobile barn.
- On September 12, 2008, the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CFDA) issued a recall for raw cream manufactured at the dairy after tests showed it was contaminated with Campylobacter.
- On September 7, 2007, the CFDA issued a recall for raw cream manufactured at the dairy after Listeria monocytogenes bacteria turned up on a routine inspection.
- On September 21, 2006, the CFDA issued a recall after four children contracted E. coli infections after consuming raw milk products from the dairy.
Campylobacter, Listeria and E. coli are all dangerous pathogens that can cause serious sometimes fatal infections. With all foodborne illnesses, children are among those most a risk for serious complications, including hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) which can lead to kidney failure.
A press release on the Organic Pastures website states:
“It is a common goal of Organic Pastures and the California Department of Public Health to rapidly investigate any linkage between these cases and raw milk. Each month CDFA tests all Organic Pastures’ products for pathogens, in addition Organic Pastures uses a third party for pathogen testing multiple times per week. All these tests have been negative. It has been reported to us by the California Department of Public Health that as of today all products collected from the ill patients have been negative for E. Coli 0157:H7.”
But a review of CFDA inspections does support the claim that the dairy is inspected each month. Four of the 10 inspections during the last 15 months were mandatory re-inspections. Had they not been required, the dairy would have had six inspections during a 15 month period.
In a USA Today story, McAfee says that the state of California has no evidence that shows children drank contaminated milk and that he finds the case “highly suspicious.” But, as Steve Lyle of the CFDA countered in the story, ”milk is perishable, so the product consumed by the children was not available for testing” by the time they got sick “and that’s typically to be expected.”
Anyone who experiences abdominal cramping or bloody diarrhea after consuming raw milk products should seek immediate medical attention. Those with questions regarding an illness or hospitalization associated with this outbreak should contact the national food safety law firm PritzkerOslen P.A. for a free consultation.
State Fair in Raleigh, NC: E. coli O157 Source Still Not Known
As the number of confirmed cases in the E. coli O157 outbreak linked to the North Carolina State Fair in Raleigh, health investigators are still unable to determine what caused the outbreak. The CDC has been called in to help and testing of samples continues. The likely sources of the outbreak are either an animal exhibit (for example, the petting zoo) or food sold by one of the fair vendors.
The N.C. Division of Public Health reports that it is now investigating 28 cases related to the E. coli outbreak. Twelve cases are confirmed E. coli cases; 16 cases are still being investigated. The latest numbers and counties involved:
Wake – 13
Sampson – 6
Cleveland – 1
Durham – 2
Johnston – 1
Lenoir – 1
Orange – 2
Wilson – 2
St Louis E Coli Outbreak Includes Salad Bar Suppliers to Schnucks and Other Retailers
The search for the source of the St. Louis E. coli outbreak is expanding beyond Missouri’s borders to include grocery store suppliers and distributors from outside the state. Missouri health officials will now enlist the help of the federal Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as the investigation broadens to include suppliers and distributors to Schnucks and other retailers.
Some, but not all, of the 26 confirmed cases in the outbreak ate from salad bars at Schnucks stores and inspections of several Schnucks stores and warehouses have all turned up clean, the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) said in an update about the investigation released yesterday.
Laboratory testing to identify the “genetic fingerprint” of the E. coli involved is underway. So far, 26 samples have been completed and they all match, suggesting that all 26 people are part of the outbreak and that only one specific organism is involved, DHSS said in the statement.
Food samples are also being tested to determine whether E. coli is present. So far, 17 samples have been submitted, and all have come back negative for E. coli. These samples included two strawberries retrieved from sick individuals’ homes, DHSS statement said. The remaining samples consist of lettuce, strawberries, and Caesar dressing taken from several Schnuck’s stores in the region.
“Those products that were in question were not created by Schnucks,” Schnucks spokeswoman Lori Willis told the Moris Daily Herald. “There’s got to be a supplier involved in some way.”
Public health officials continue to urge anyone in the St. Louis area experiencing gastrointestinal symptoms, including severe stomach cramps, diarrhea or nausea, to seek medical attention.
Those with legal questions about an illness associated with this outbreak should contact PritzkerOlsen P.A., one of the nation’s leading food safety law firms for a free consultation regarding a . A toll free number is also available 1(888) 377-8900.
