Two Children with Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome in Maple Rapids, MI: What Was the Source of the E. coli Infection that Caused the HUS?
Two children from the Maple Rapids area have developed hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) after contracting E. coli infections at a day care, according to the Michigan District Health Department (MMDHD).
For those who are not familiar with HUS, it is a life-threatening illness that often causes kidney failure, pancreatitis and extremely high blood pressure. These, in turn, cause additional health problems, including stroke, blindness and heart attacks. These children are fighting for their lives.
The source of this outbreak needs to be found to prevent further illness and to give the parents of these HUS victims the information they need to hold those responsible accountable. Our experience is that these daycare-associated outbreaks are generally caused by contaminated food, but there have been cases where contaminated water or a trip to a petting zoo have been the source of the outbreak.
In July, an outbreak of E. coli O157 in Michigan was linked to eating ground beef processed and distributed by McNees Meats and Wholesale LLC, a North Branch, Michigan, establishment. A total of five confirmed Shiga-toxin producing E. coli cases and four probable cases were reported in Lapeer, Genesee, Isabella, and Sanilac counties.
Last year, a Michigan E. coli outbreak was linked to contaminated lettuce. E. coli bacteria can colonize within the leaf, making it impossible to wash off.
When our law firm takes a day care E. coli HUS case, we immediately begin an independent investigation into the outbreak. We have access to some of the countries best epidemiologists and food safety experts to assist us with the investigation. We know parents do not have the financial resources to pay for this up front, so we are not paid unless the family wins money from those responsible for the illness.
Attorney Fred Pritzker and his team of E. coli lawyers represent E. coli victims throughout the United States. They have won money for E. coli victims in Michigan. Cities near Maple Rapids, MI, include Grand Rapids, Lansing, Mt. Pleasant, Flint and Saginaw.
Boston Ave. Church Daycare E. coli in Tulsa
A second daycare E. coli outbreak in as many days has been announced by public health authorities — this one in Tulsa, Oklahoma, where three of four infected children attend Boston Avenue Church’s childcare center. Both outbreaks have been marked by difficult family struggles as some of the children have been hospitalized with life-threatening HUS E. coli complications, or hemolytic uremic syndrome.
The Tulsa Health Department said it is investigating four cases of E. coli in Tulsa County children and they specified that there are no indications it involves the deadly strain of E. coli O104 that is plaguing Germany and other countries in Europe right now. “Two cases have been laboratory confirmed with two additional children suspected,” a Tulsa Health press release said.
The two confirmed cases are siblings and both have been hospitalized, presumably with HUS. One of the confirmed case patients and the two suspected case patients attend the Boston Avenue Church daycare center and parents of children who attend the center have been notified and warned to look out for symptoms.
Just one day earlier, an Amarillo child E. coli outbreak involving seven children, many of whom are related, was announced by public health officials in Amarillo, Texas, in the panhandle. Tulsa is several hundred miles northeast of Amarillo.
Investigations are under way to find the source of each outbreak and no one at this point is saying they are related. At this point, Tulsa Health Department Director Dr. Bruce Dart said they can’t even say for sure that Boston Avenue Church Childcare Center is where the children became sick, though they are investigating that angle very closely.
E. coli lawyers at Pritzker Olsen, a nationally recognized food safety law firm, are investigating both outbreaks and accepting cases in a no-fee consultation process at 1-888-377-8900 (Toll Free) or via online contact form. In many outbreaks it is important to hire a lawyer to pursue insurance claims to pay for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering and other harms. This is the case even when well-meaning people are involved.
Symptoms of E. coli can range from mild to severe, and include: diarrhea (often bloody), severe stomach cramps, and vomiting. If there is a fever it is usually not very high (less than 101 F). Most people get better within 5-7 days, but 5 to 15 percent of case patients develop HUS and children under the age of 5 years are most prone to HUS and associated kidney failure, coma, strokes, anemia and other severe health complications.
E. coli can be spread through consumption of undercooked meat, particularly beef, drinking contaminated raw milk, swimming in, or drinking contaminated water, or by consuming foods or mouthing objects that have been contaminated with feces of an infected person or animal. Person-to-person transmission can occur if infected persons do not wash their hands after using the toilet or after changing diapers
Amarillo E. coli Outbreak Investigation
We represent children who have contracted E. coli infections. Our attorneys are some of the few in the United States that have litigated cases involving hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a life-threatening complication of E. coli O157 that causes renal failure and a host of other serious health problems, primarily in children. Attorney Elliot Olsen recently represented a family whose young son died from E. coli-HUS after contracting E. coli at a daycare center.
The Amarillo E. coli O157 outbreak involves 7 children, 6 of whom had contact with each other. Several of the children are related. Four of the children (most under 5) have been hospitalized. Although Amarillo officials are calling this a “cluster” and not an outbreak, it is an outbreak. Right now it is an outbreak with no known source.
Our E. coli cases are generally linked to contaminated food, but we have also represented children who contracted E. coli infections from well water, at day care and at petting zoos. Children are at higher risk of contracting E. coli infections and developing serious complications. This is because they put toys and their hands in their mouths and because their little bodies are more affected by the Shiga toxins produced by E. coli bacteria. A microscopic amount of E. coli on a piece of lettuce can make a child really sick. For children who develop severe colitis, hypertension or HUS, they are literally fighting for their lives for a period of time, sometimes months.
Contact our attorneys for a free consultation and information about our experience with E. coli and HUS.
Keywords: Amarillo E. coli outbreak, HUS, attorneys, lawsuit, daycare, Dallas, Texas, E. coli O157.
Tulsa Daycare E. coli Outbreak Investigation
A Tulsa E. coli outbreak involves two children who attend child care at Boston Avenue Methodist Church, according to KTUL. Both children are hospitalized. The health department is investigating two other possible cases of E. coli.
Our attorneys have represented many young E. coli victims, including some who developed hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a complication of E. coli that causes kidney failure, central nervous system damage (seizures, stroke, coma), blindness, hypertention (high blood pressure) and other serious health problems. Young children (under 5) are at greater risk of contracting E. coli infections. When a child at a day care facility contracts an E. coli infection, that infection can be spread by the child’s feces if the child’s hands are not adequately washed. Little hands touch toys and other little hands that are then mouthed. It is the responsibility of the day care provider to prevent the spread of E. coli.
It is impossible to imagine the pain children with E. coli-HUS suffer as they fight for their lives. Many don’t survive. Our goals in these cases are:
- To hold all responsible parties accountable
- To obtain enough money to cover medical expenses and other costs that have been incurred and will be incurred far into the future
- To obtain compensation for the victims for their pain and suffering.
Amarillo Child E. coli Outbreak Sickens 7 Kids
An outbreak investigation in Amarillo of 7 child E. coli cases is in progress and a local television station is reporting that four of the seven victims were hospitalized. Quoting a spokesperson for the City of Amarillo Department of Public Health, Pronews 7 reported that possible sources of the outbreak include exposure to infected animals, international travel and human-to-human contact with infected individuals.
If the source is food, no specific link has yet been found. E. coli O157:H7 is the type of E. coli involved in the outbreak and area doctors are on the lookout for cases and a have been alerted to report any cases.
The health department is urging anyone with symptoms to see their doctor. Symptoms include bloody diarrhea and stomach pain. Food safety law firm Pritzker Olsen Attorneys also is investigating the Amarillo child E. coli outbreak. Public calls are being taken at 1-888-377-8900 (Toll Free) or complete the contact form to receive a free case consultation.
The hospitalizations indicate that some of the children developed a life-threatening complication known as E. coli HUS, or hemolytic uremic syndrome. HUS usually results in kidney failure and can lead to even more complications, such as stroke, coma and severe anemia. Children under 5 are the most susceptible to HUS, which leads to death in about 5 percent of cases.
Pritzker Olsen currently represents HUS E. coli food poisoning victims and is one of the very few law firms in the country that practice extensively in the area of foodborne illness. Our lawyers have recovered millions for victims and their families.
