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.

No lettuce E. coli outbreaks have occurred this summer, but earlier this month Fresh Express recalled Romaine-based salad products with Use-by Dates of July 8 – 12 and an “S” in the Product Code.

The reason for the recall was a positive test result for E. coli O157:H7 found by FDA in a random sample of a single Hearts of Romaine salad. Although no longer being sold, consumers may still have the expired product in their homes and are warned not to eat it. No illness have been associated with the recall.

Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI), a nutrition watchdog group for consumers, has said the food group of lettuce and leafy greens has been linked to the most food poisoning outbreaks — 363 outbreaks from 1990 to 2006 — of any of the foods regulated by FDA that it surveyed.  (The FDA does not regulate meat).

The outbreaks of E. coli O157:H7, Salmonella, Campylobacter and other pathogens have caused more than 13,500 illnesses. Manure, contaminated irrigation water, or poor handling practices are all possible culprits in those outbreaks.

The average size of lettuce E. coli outbreaks is larger than outbreaks from other foods, thus affecting more people, according to CSPI.

Leafy greens are among the healthiest of foods when not contaminated with harmful bacteria. But there are reasons why contamination reoccurs:

• They grow close to the ground, where they come in contact with manure, water runoff and wild animal feces — all of which can harbor pathogens.
• Cutting and bagging the greens allows microbes to enter the plants and flourish before the bags are opened.
• They are often eaten raw, without being processed with the normal kill step of applied heat.
• Machinery used in processing can cross-contaminate production lots and expand problems.

“Outbreaks give the best evidence of where and when the food safety system is failing to protect the public,” said Sarah Klein, lead author of the report by CSPI.

One of the worst outbreaks came in 2006. The Dole bagged baby spinach E. coli outbreak sickened 205 people in 26 states and caused three deaths. Two victims were elderly and one was a child, 2 years old.

Later the same year, E. coli O157:H7 appeared in produce once more when two separate incidents of contaminated shredded iceberg lettuce sickened a total of 152 individuals at chain restaurants Taco Bell and Taco John. Pritzker Olsen law firm was involved in representing victims of the Taco Bell lettuce E. coli outbreak and the Dole baby spinach outbreak.

We know that E. coli O157:H7 microbes stick especially well to leaf lettuce — especially when the crop is cut and bagged. They become embedded in the plant and are thus protected from surface washing in some cases. The organisms thrive in the environment of a plastic bag, especially when temperatures rise and refrigeration is more crucial. Many people also are in the unsafe practice of eating bagged lettuce without washing it.

If you or a loved one have been sickened by lettuce E. coli O157:H7 or other human pathogen on leafy green vegetables, contact an attorney at Pritzker Olsen for a free case consultation. By phone, your free inquiry can be taken at 1-888-377-8900 (Toll Free) or complete the contact form on the side of this Web page.

Our firm is one of the few in the country practicing extensively in the area of food borne illness litigation and we have recovered tens of millions of dollars for victims of food poisoning. Pritzker Olsen is dedicated to education and prevention of E. coli, Salmonella, Listeria, Campylobacter and other harmful bacteria found in our food. Founder and president Fred Pritzker is a sought-after food safety expert who has long advocated strong food safety laws and more inspections of our food.

Health officials connected the dairy to an outbreak of E. coli O157:H7 and Campylobacter that sickened at least 30 people, including two young children who were hospitalized with severe complications.

The Associated Press said the reopening follows compliance with criteria said by Boulder County Public Health, but nothing short of pasteurization will render raw milk products safe from deadly pathogens like E. coli O157:H7.

Both E. coli 0157 and Campylobacter bacteria were identified at the state public health laboratory in lab tests from samples taken at Billy Goat Diary farm. The strain of Campylobacter found in the raw goat milk, and the strain of E. coli found in the goats is an identical match to the strains found in the ill people. These bacteria are found in the intestines of animals and can be passed in their feces to food, water, and milk products that haven’t been pasteurized.

This outbreak resulted in two children developing hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a life-threatening complication of E. coli infection that strikes young children more often than people in other age groups. E. coli HUS is the leading cause of kidney failure in children, but it also can result in severe damage to the heart, central nervous system and brain.

If you or a loved one has been sickened in this outbreak and are concerned about appropriate levels of compensation for medical expenses, travel, lost wages and other harms, contact an attorney at Prizker Olsen law firm at 1-888-377-8900 (Toll Free) or complete the contact form on the side of this Web page.  We have years of experience representing HUS victims and E. coli patients sickened in foodborne illness outbreak and our firm is actively involved in efforts to prevent outbreaks.

No confirmed link has been proven between the animal exhibits at the county fair and the girl’s severe illness, but a spokesman for the Indiana State Department of Health went on television to remind families about the risk of E. coli O157:H7 infection at events were live farm animals are on display.

24 Hour News8 TV interviewed the mother of the toddler, who is receiving regular treatments of kidney dialysis to fight her HUS. The toddler’s mother said her daughter used hand sanitizer at the fair, but it’s possible the little girl ingested bacteria from under her fingernails because she has a habit like many toddlers of chewing on her fingers.

When managers of any event encourage or permit public contact with animals, there is a well known risk of E. coli O157:H7 infection and one of every 10 to 15 infections lead to HUS. For children under 5, the risk of HUS is highest.

With the risk, there are equally well known measures that should be in place to prevent such infections.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the National Association of State Public Health Veterinarians, Inc. (NASPHV) published a compendium of such measures about five years ago. It is import for even holders to implement the measures.

Law firm Pritzker Olsen has represented individuals who contracted E. coli from livestock shows, petting zoos and animal fairs. Our experience has been that safety gaps often exist when children or others fall ill.

Escherichia coli O157:H7 is a rare variety of E. coli that produces a toxin that causes severe damage to the lining of the intestine. Specifically, the acute disease caused by E. coli O157:H7 is hemorrhagic colitis. E. coli O157:H7 can also result in hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), the leading cause of kidney failure in children in the United States.

The effects of HUS can be long-lasting and expensive to combat. In some cases, patients who initially survive their renal failure may require kidney transplants in the future. In addition, HUS can cause damage elsewhere in the body, including the heart, central nervous system and brain.

For answers to legal questions about E. coli and HUS, call Pritzker Olsen at 1-888-377-8900 (Toll Free) or complete the contact form on the side of this Web page.

Boulder County Public Health announced the outbreak in a press release, saying two children have been hospitalized and one has been released.

Since June 10, 16 people who reported drinking raw milk from Billy Goat Dairy have become ill. In connection with the goat milk outbreak, Boulder County has ordered the dairy to stop distribution of its raw milk products.

According to health department officials, Longmont’s Billy Goat Dairy operates a goat share program in which individuals buy a share of a goat and in return receive raw, unpasteurized milk. The agency is contacting every household who participates in the program to check for illness.

E. coli O157:H7 and Campylobacter are types of bacteria found in the intestines of animals that can be passed in their feces to food.

If you or a loved one has been sickened in the Billy Goat raw milk Campylobacter and E. coli outbreak, contact food safety law firm Pritzker Olsen at 1-888-377-8900 (Toll Free) for a free consultation regarding your legal options. Our law firm represents raw milk E. coli victims and currently represents a Pennsylvania man in a raw milk Campylobacter lawsuit.

In that case, the client’s Campylobacter infection left him paralyzed and critically ill in a hospital.

Serious cases of E. coli can lead to hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), which leads to kidney failure and can cause many other serious health injuries, including brain damage, heart problems and harm to the central nervous system. A person of any age can suffer from HUS, but young children are most susceptible to it.

A recent study by USDA’s Agricultural Research Service showed that E coli O157:H7 grows at a rapid, temperature-dependent rate before the lettuce deteriorates. That means the visual quality of  bagged, fresh-cut lettuce is a poor indicator of the products’  food safety status.

Given the lack of visual cues, proper refrigeration is important to limit the growth of disease-causing microorganisms.

Results indicate that storage at 41 degrees, or  5 degrees Celsius, allowed the survival of E. coli O157:H7 on the packaged lettuce, but limited its growth.

All of the bagged products in the experiment were intentionally misted with E. coli bacteria in the lab and the bags were resealed. When they were stored at 54 degrees, or 12 degrees Celsius, the relative warmth led to a large increase in E. coli O157:H7 population on lettuce salads held for three days.

From 1990 to 2005, there were more than 700 foodborne illness outbreaks in the United States caused by contaminated produce. Many of those were lettuce E. coli outbreaks. The most recent major outbreak of E. coli in lettuce occurred earlier this year, sickening more than 20 people in six states.

Food safety law firm Pritzker Olsen has been retained by an E. coli HUS victim in connection with that particular E. coli O145 outbreak. The illnesses are associated with contaminated lettuce recalled  by Freshway Foods of Sidney, Ohio.

The client, a student at Daemen College in Amherst, New York, contracted an E. coli infection in April that developed into hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a life-threatening illness that can cause kidney failure, central nervous system damage, heart problems, pancreatitis, and other serious medical conditions. The student’s illness resulted in three separate hospitalizations

If you or a loved one have been sickened by E. coli or other human pathogen in leafy green vegetables, contact an attorney at Pritzker Olsen for a free case consultation. By phone, your free inquiry can be taken at 1-888-377-8900 (Toll Free) or you may contact us online with the form on side of this web page.

Our firm is one of the few in the country practicing extensively in the area of food borne illness litigation and we have recovered tens of millions of dollars for victims of food poisoning. Pritzker Olsen is dedicated to education and prevention of E. coli and other harmful bacteria found in our food. Our founder and president, Fred Pritzker, is a sought-after food safety expert who has long advocated strong food safety laws and more inspections of our food.

The threat of  E. coli O157:H7 and other pathogens in raw milk has been a running story in Wisconsin ever since the Legislature attempted early this year to pass a bill legalizing on-farm sales of unpasteurized products.

The bill passed but Gov. Jim Doyle vetoed it in a nod to overwhelming opposition from health professionals and the mainstream dairy industry.

The NBC television news affiliate in Green Bay provided an in-depth follow-up story last night to air out the issue. Some farmers are still clamoring for open trade in raw milk, which would inevitably lead to more outbreaks of E. coli, Salmonella and Campylobacter.

The piece by photojournalist Mike Fisher featured an interview with E. coli lawyer Fred Pritzker, whose views on the subject have been molded by witnessing first-hand the suffering of many clients infected by food poisoning caused by raw milk. His firm currently represents a Pennsylvania man who was paralyzed after drinking contaminated raw milk in a highly publicized Campylobacter outbreak that resulted in Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS).

“I think the Governor is right, I’m representing people all over the country in raw milk cases who have been harmed grievously by drinking raw milk,” Pritzker said.

Pritzker is the founder and president of the national food safety law firm, Pritzker Olsen. His firm represents survivors of foodborne illness in cases involving  pathogenic microorganisms and natural toxins including Salmonella, Clostridium botulinum, Campylobacter jejuni, Listeria monocytogenes, Vibrio cholerae, Clostridium perfringens, Shigella, Escherichia coli O157:H7, Hepatitis A virus, Norwalk virus and Scombroid poisoning.

The firm is involved in virtually every national outbreak and has collected large sums on behalf of people injured or killed by adulterated food. In addition, the firm is devoted to educating the public about food safety issues and advocating for badly needed food safety legislation and increased funding for the federal, state and local agencies charged with protecting our food.

Mr. Pritzker and members of his firm are frequent commentators on food safety issues and have been interviewed by and profiled in a number of media outlets including the New York Times, Associated Press, Wall Street Journal and CNN.

Matching DNA Fingerprints of the Outbreak Strain

A total of eight individuals from seven different households are now considered part of the outbreak, which started in late May. Of the three new cases, two are school-age children who drank Hartmann raw milk, the state said. The third is an infant living in the same home as one of the first five victims.

The information was released  by the Minnesota Department of Health. A health department press release said the outbreak investigation has found 26 matching samples of  E. coli O157:H7, including isolates found in the dairy barn where the cows are milked.

The Hartmann raw milk outbreak strain of E. coli O157:H7 has not previously been found in Minnesota. It has led to life-threatening hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) in one of the young outbreak victims.

Law firm Pritzker Olsen, based in Minneapolis, currently represents a man in Pennsylvania who became paralyzed this spring from a food poisoning infection caused by contaminated raw milk. Our firm is involved in practically every major outbreak of E coli and other foodborne pathogens. We represent families who seek compensation for medical bills, lost wages and other harms.

For answers to legal questions about the MN E. coli milk outbreak, call Pritzker Olsen at 1-888-377-8900 (Toll Free) or complete our online contact form. We will provide you with a free case consultation, including an explanation of how clients don’t pay us unless we win their case.

HUS devastates little bodies.  My HUS clients all came close to death, suffered kidney failure and were hospitalized for weeks or months.  Parents lose income because they are at their extremely ill child’s bedside, and at the same time, the medical bills keep coming.  All of this, and they have to stand by helplessly hoping and praying their child survives.  It is tragic.

Now that there is solid, microbiological evidence that the Hartmann dairy farm is the source of the outbreak, the family of the HUS victim can seek compensation on behalf of their child and themselves for the medical expenses, loss of income, pain and suffering and other expenses and losses.  This is not a matter of being out to get anyone.  The financial strain on a family in their situation is so enormous that it puts a strain on relationships and may prevent their child from getting the best care both now and in the future.

The following is a press release from the Minnesota Department of Health:

Laboratory testing conducted by the Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) and the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) this week provided additional evidence that the Hartmann dairy farm, of rural Gibbon, was the source of a strain of E. coli O157:H7 bacteria that sickened at least five Minnesotans after they consumed raw, unpasteurized milk or other dairy products from the farm. MDH reported four cases of illness last week, and a fifth case has subsequently been confirmed in a young child who was not hospitalized.

MDH first discovered the outbreak through reports of E. coli O157:H7 illness from health care providers. The department conducted an investigation into the illnesses, which were scattered across the state, and found that the only thing the ill people had in common was consumption of dairy products from the Hartmann farm. This strong epidemiological link is now reinforced by the laboratory confirmation that the specific strain of E. coli O157:H7 found in the ill patients has also been found in multiple animals and at multiple sites on the Hartmann farm. This strain of E. coli has not previously been found in Minnesota. Furthermore, laboratory tests confirmed that cheese samples collected last week from the farm contained another form of Shiga toxin-producing E. coli, demonstrating that an ongoing pathway of contamination existed on the farm.

The test results underscore the dangers of consuming milk that has not been pasteurized to eliminate E. coli and other potentially deadly bacteria. Leading public health organizations such as the Food and Drug Administration, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the American Medical Association, the World Health Organization and the American Academy of Pediatrics all advocate pasteurization as a standard public health practice.

“Raw milk presents a serious health risk,” said Minnesota Health Commissioner Dr. Sanne Magnan. “This risk isn’t a matter of personal opinion; it’s an established scientific fact. Drinking raw milk or eating products made from raw milk can expose consumers to a variety of organisms that can result in anything from a few days of diarrhea to kidney failure and death. Raw milk is especially dangerous for children, whose immune systems can’t fight off infection as well as healthy adults.”

In addition to the cases linked to the Hartmann farm, MDH is investigating several other illnesses with a connection to products from the farm. MDA has embargoed dairy products on the Hartmann farm, prohibiting movement or release of the products off the farm.

It is illegal to sell raw milk in Minnesota, although occasional sales are allowed on the farm where the milk is produced. For details, visit the MDA website at http://www.mda.state.mn.us/en/food/safety/rawmilkinfo.aspx. Additional information, including a newly developed Frequently Asked Questions document is available on the MDH website at http://www.health.state.mn.us/foodsafety/foods/rawmilk.html.

Dr. Divya Jaroni, a food microbiologist at Southern University Ag Center, will head the study in collaboration with scientists at Louisiana State University and Texas Tech University.

The team will study  the prevalence  of  E. coli under different herd, farm and environment conditions across several  farms. Guidelines for on-farm Best Management Practices  will be developed and the effectiveness of these practices in reducing E. coli O157:H7 on small-scale cow/calf operations will be validated.

The grant money comes from the USDA through its National Institute of Food and Agriculture – Agricultural and Food Research Initiative (AFRI) program.

E. coli O157:H7 in ground beef and other beef products is a major food safety concern and one approach to reduce the threat of contamination in the slaughter process is to develop farming and ranching practices that reduce the load of the pathogen inside the animals before they are butchered.

These bacteria grow harmlessly inside the hind guts of cows and are expelled in feces. When the organisms contaminate cuts of meat at the packing plant, they become a danger to humans because they emit a powerful toxin once inside a person’s intestines. These Shiga toxins attack red blood cells in a process that often leads to clotting and kidney failure. Once in the bloodstream they can cause heart damage, central nervous system disorders, coma, paralysis and brain injury.

In 5 to 15 percent of cases, E. coli infections develop into life-threatening hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) or a related condition known as thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP.) Children under 5 years old are most susceptible to getting HUS.