East Tennessee E. coli Outbreak Investigated
One E. coli death and at least seven other E. coli patients in various hospitals across several East Tennessee counties have triggered an E. coli outbreak investigation. The illnesses have all been reported since late May and June 1. Some cases are Greene County E. coli illnesses.
According to news reports, the fatal victim is a 2-year-old girl from Dryden, Virginia, who died Sunday at Tennessee’s Johnson City Medical Center after being transferred from Southwest Virginia. The girl has a brother who is among those who are hospitalized. Both illnesses have been attributed to E. coli O157:H7.
Dr. David Kirschke, medical director of the Northeast Regional Health Office in Johnson City, told the Knoxville News Sentinel newspaper that officials are treating the situation as an E. coli outbreak. Those families stricken by the pathogen are being interviewed about their food histories and other possible exposures.
Kirshcke told the newspaper that seven of the eight case patients are infected by the same strain of E. coli. He also said several of the patients ate meat that was not thoroughly cooked.
E. coli lawyers at Pritzker Olsen Attorneys have launched their own investigation into the outbreak and are accepting cases from families whose loved ones have fallen ill. If the outbreak is linked to contaminated ground beef or other meat, consumers can hold manufacturers responsible and seek compensation for medical expenses, lost hours at work, future work restrictions, pain and suffering and other harms.
Our firm is one of the very few in the country practicing extensively in the area of foodborne illness litigation and we have collected tens of millions of dollars for victims of food poisoning all over the U.S. Free legal consultations are available for calling Pritzker Olsen directly at 1-888-377-8900 (Toll Free) or by sending in our contact form.
In 5 to 15 percent of Shiga toxin E. coli infections, including E. coli O157:H7, case patients develop a life-threatening complication known as HUS E. coli, or hemolytic uremic syndrome. The disease attacks a person’s red blood cells, causing kidney failure, coma, strokes, anemia, heart problems and central nervous system disorders. Even people who suffer mild HUS cases can expect a lifetime of medical expenses for treatments that will be continuing for the rest of their lives.
Georgia Retailer Recalls E. coli Ground Beef
E. coli O157:H7 in ground beef has prompted a Georgia retailer to recall about 500 pounds of ground beef product bearing a sell-by date of 05/20/11. Food Depot #24, of McDonough, Georgia., is the retailer making the recall. It was announced by USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS).
The following ground beef products subject to recall were sold as tray packs of varying weights bearing a “Sell By” date of “05/20/11.” The products subject to recall include 1 to 4-pound tray packs of ground beef products produced on May 19 and sold to customers at the Food Depot #24 store at 560 Macon St., McDonough, Georgia.
FSIS said contamination was found in samples tested during routine surveillance and that the company was not aware of any illnesses associated with the tainted beef. The recall is classified as a Class I recall, with high health risk
Beef E. coli Outbreak in Japan Offers U.S. a Lesson
A deadly beef E. coli outbreak in Japan involves a type of E. coli not routinely tested for in the United States — a lesson that E. coli lawyers at national food safety law firm Pritzker Olsen believe will make a difference here.
The current Japanese beef E. coli outbreak involves E. coli O111, one of six prevalent non-O157:H7 strains of E. coli not screened for in the United States even though they produce the same potentially deadly toxin as E. coli O157:H7, which the U.S. government banned from ground beef more than a decade ago. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has estimated that these six non-O157:H7 strains cause approximately 113,000 illnesses and 300 hospitalizations annually in the United States, yet to date they have not been outlawed as E. coli O157:H7 has been in ground beef.
Pritzker Olsen founder and President Fred Pritzker said Japan’s tragedy with E. coli O111 could speed positive change in the U.S., which has been inching too slowly toward adopting regulations that eventually should classify the six non-O157:H7 shiga toxin producing types of E. coli as adulterants.
“Japan’s nightmare with E. coli O111 should trigger changes in our own country,” Pritzker said. “We shouldn’t have to wait for a similarly sized disaster to strike here. It’s another impetus for USDA to get moving.”
The Japan beef E. coli outbreak has killed two six year old boys, a 70-year-old woman and another member of that woman’s family. The number of outbreak cases has topped 70, involving at least three Japanese prefectures. Food safety investigators have linked the infectious disease outbreak to Japanese-style steak tartar (raw beef) at a restaurant chain.
Strains of the pathogen O111 and O157 E.coli – both capable of causing life threatening hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) — were detected among many hospitalized patients. The outbreak is dominating headlines and authorities have called for emergency checks on restaurants serving raw meats to investigate whether eateries are up to code.
What Became of Criminal Probe at CA Meatpacker?
It was little more than a year ago when the USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced a recall of more than 4.9 million pounds of beef and veal by Huntington Meat Packing Inc. of Montebello, California. The recall was based on evidence collected in an “ongoing criminal investigation.”
Since that time, there have been no announcements of any charges against the company and we must assume that the investigation is either still going on or that the company has been cleared. The announcement of a criminal probe is rare in FSIS press releases and authorities never expounded on reasons why the investigation was taking place — except to say records of food safety practices were not reliable.
The beef and veal recall also was unusual because there was no pathogen announced as the reason for the recall. Most beef recalls are due to positive test results for E. coli O157:H7 or other Shiga toxin-producing types of E. coli. Rather, FSIS inspectors found that the products were recalled because they were not made according to the company’s food safety plan. “The products are adulterated because the company made the products under insanitary conditions failing to take the steps it had determined were necessary to produce safe products,” FSIS said in last February’s news release.
The Office of the Inspector General (OIG) was at the forefront of the investigation, with assistance from FSIS. “The investigation has uncovered evidence to show that the food safety records of the establishment cannot be relied upon to document compliance with the requirements,” the press release said.
CDC Says Bologna E. coli in PA, MD, OH, NJ, NC
The CDC reports 14 people have been sickened with the same strain of E. coli O157:H7 and that the outbreak has been linked to beef Lebanon bologna made by Palmyra Bologna Company of Pennsylvania. According to the CDC, five states are involved: Pennsylvania E. coli (6 cases), Maryland E. coli (3 cases) New Jersey E. coli (2 cases) Ohio E. coli (2 cases) and one North Carolina E. coli case.
Law firm Pritzker Olsen has launched its own investigation into this outbreak and is reaching out to victims about a possible Lebanon bologna E. coli lawsuit. For answers to questions about E. coli litigation, including a free case consultation, contact an attorney at the firm at 1-888-377-8900 (Toll Free) or we will respond to your contact information. Our firm is one of the very few law groups in the country practicing extensively in the area of foodborne illness litigation and we have recovered tens of millions of dollars for victims of E. coli and other types of food poisoning. We currently represent food poisoning victims in Pennsylvania and Ohio and practice in every corner of the United States.
E. coli Bologna Outbreak Information
According to the CDC, reported dates of illness onset range from January 10, 2011 to February 15, 2011. Ill persons range in age from 1 to 70 years. Among 13 ill persons for whom information is known, 23 percent reported being hospitalized, and none have reported hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a life-threatening complication that results in kidney failure and can carry dangerous toxins to other organs.
According to the CDC, Lebanon bologna is a fermented, semi-dry sausage that is similar in appearance to salami. Nearly all victims were questioned by health investigators, who found a strong correlation to eating Lebanon bologna. Four ill persons have been identified who purchased Seltzer Brand Lebanon bologna at four different grocery store locations in three states before becoming ill. No one in a control group reported eating the bologna.
Investigation is continuing and samples are being checked for the outbreak strain of E. coli O157:H7.
For consumers, here is the list of Lebanon bologna products that may be contaminated with E. coli O157:H7:
6-ounce packages of “SELTZER’S BEEF LEBANON BOLOGNA” with lot code “01351″ and best-by date of “Apr. 20 2011″ printed on the package.
12-ounce packages of “SELTZER’S BEEF LEBANON BOLOGNA” with lot code “01351″ and best-by dates of “Apr. 20 2011″ or “Apr. 21 2011″ printed on the package.
16-ounce packages of “SELTZER’S BEEF LEBANON BOLOGNA” with lot code “01351″ and best-by date of “Apr. 22 2011″ printed on the package.
