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.

An E. coli O111 outbreak was discovered April 22 at Four Mile Prison in Canon City, Colorado, according to statements released by the Colorado Department of Corrections. Three inmates have become sick from this pathogen and eight more could be involved in the outbreak too, said Colorado Department of Corrections spokeswoman Katherine Sanguinetti. The state DOC and the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment have been working together to investigate the outbreak. There is no evidence of poor health conditions in the prison’s kitchen facilities, according to preliminary investigations.

E. coli outbreaks are often spread through animal fecal matter, such as that of cattle and other livestock, that contaminates food and water sources surrounding the area where the livestock are kept. The prison does operate a dairy, however, officials say none of the inmates who are sick ever worked at the dairy.

The second outbreak of E. coli O145 continues to grow, and has now sickened people in Ohio, New York and Michigan. The food safety lawyers at Pritzker Olsen continue to monitor health department and news reports.

There has been a lot of concern that the use of antibiotics to treat E. coli infections can cause an increased risk for hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) and kidney problems. A 2000 study by Wong et. al. (The risk of hemolytic uremic syndrome after antibiotic treatment of Escherichia coli O157:H7 infections) reported that there did appear to be an increased risk of developing hemolytic uremic syndrome if treated with antibiotics. A more recent study that compiled research on hemolytic uremic syndrome and E. coli O157:H7 antibiotic treatment by Safdar et. al. (Risk of hemolytic uremic syndromoe after antibiotic treatment of Escherichia coli O157:H7 enteritis: a meta-analysis) found that there was in fact on apparent statistical increase of HUS infections when antibiotics were used for E. coli O157:H7. You should consult with your doctor regarding E. coli treatment and the use of antiboitics.

For information on the treatment of hemolytic uremic syndrome see Treatment of Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome.

Pritzker | Ruohonen has a national practice and represents E. coli victims throughout the United States. To contact the firm, please call toll-free at 1-888-377-8900 or submit the online contact form.