The source of the outbreak is not yet known, and in cases like this involving inmates, it is best for families to hire an E. coli lawyer to help with the investigation and to protect the E. coli victims’ rights. Contact our E. coli lawyers for a free consultation.

Source: http://www.9news.com/news/local/article/228582/346/E-coli-outbreak-in-county-jail

A walnut E. coli recall across Canada comes just months after U.S. public health officials investigated a multi-state outbreak of E. coli 0157:H7 linked to in-shell hazelnuts from Oregon.

Canadian officials dealing with the recall of President’s Choice and Reddi Snack walnuts haven’t associated the contaminated nuts with any illnesses, but the case stands as a public health reminder that nuts can carry harmful pathogens. The recalled walnuts in Canada, which were grown in the USA, may be contaminated with E. coli O157:H7, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency said.

In the U.S. this spring, CDC collaborated with public health officials in California, Michigan, Minnesota, Wisconsin, and the FDA to investigate a multistate outbreak of E. coli O157:H7 infections from hazelnuts. Investigators used DNA analysis of E. coli O157:H7 bacteria obtained through diagnostic testing to identify cases of illness that may have been part of the outbreak.

Among the eight persons infected with the outbreak strain of E. coli, four were hospitalized with hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a type of kidney failure. No deaths were reported. In the hazelnut outbreak, where most of the in-shell nuts were purchased from bulk bins at retail food stores. Source tracing identified a common distributor: DeFranco & Sons in Los Angeles, California.

Food contaminated with E. coli O157:H7 may not look or smell spoiled. Consumption of food contaminated with these bacteria my cause serious and potentially life-threatening illnesses. Symptoms include severe abdominal pain, nausea and bloody diarrhea. Some people may have seizures or strokes and some may need blood transfusions and kidney dialysis. Others may live with permanent kidney damage. In severe cases of illness, people may die.

The recalled ground beef and hamburger patties were sold to restaurants in the Cincinnati area, but the company did not say which restaurants. Each clear plastic bag and label bear the establishment number “EST. 1188” within the Ohio Department of Agriculture’s mark of inspection.

J.B. Meats said it was notified on Aug. 12 of an investigation of two E. coli O157:H7 illnesses. The Cincinnati Health Department reported there were two patients who became ill on July 20 and 21 that may have resulted from ground beef consumed on July 16 and 17, the company said.

Epidemiological and microbiological evidence points to a possible link between the ground beef products produced by J.B. Meats on July 15 and the illnesses in Cincinnati, Ohio. The company said the recall is precautionary, as there has been no conclusive link between the illnesses and the ground beef produced at the facility.

E. coli O157 can cause hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) and thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP), both severe illnesses that can cause kidney failure, central nervous system damage (seizures, stroke, paralysis, etc.), heart failure, pancreatitis and death.

The products being recalled are 36 – 10 lb. Bags of McNees Ground Beef Bulk. Establishment number: EST. 33971. They were produced July 15 and July 21, 2011. They were sold in Armada, Lapeer and North Branch, Michigan and also at a retail establishment owned by McNees Meats and Wholesale, LLC. Those sickened reported consuming ground beef either at local restaurants supplied by McNees or purchased directly from the company.

E. coli Outbreak Investigation and Lawsuit Information

According to the FSIS:

FSIS was notified of an investigation of E. coli O157  illnesses on August 4, 2011.Working in conjunction with the Michigan Departments of Community Health (MDCH) and Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD), 3 case-patients in Michigan have been identified with illness onset dates between July 18 and July 28, 2011.

The E. coli lawyers at Pritzker Olsen have recovered millions of dollars for people sickened by E. coli and other dangerous foodborne pathogens. People who think they may be sick with E. coli should visit a healthcare provider and get tested for E. coli. People who test positive for an outbreak strain of E. coli may be able to file an E. coli lawsuit and recover expenses for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering and other damages.

Contact the E. coli lawyers at Pritzker Olsen for a free case evaluation >>>

The farm has calves, goats and sheep, all animals that can carry E. coli bacteria. We have an unrelated E. coli-HUS case where a young boy was sickened by a llama at a petting zoo.

Dr. Gary Goldbaum of the Snohomish Health District stated that the farm has taken precautions to prevent further E. coli cases. According to Dr. Goldbaum, they “removed some things that encouraged kids to get down on their hands and knees.” Because manure gets on shoes and is tracked all over an animal farm, it is not safe having anything on a farm that encourages “kids to get down on their hands and knees.”

The animal farm is run by Everett’s parks department, which is in need of a staff person with some understanding of infectious disease.

The legislation would add confirmed strains of E. coli to the list of adulterants  (026, 045, 0103, 011, 0121, 0145, 0104: H4), requiring meat companies to test for any batches containing any of these toxic strains of E. coli, and give the USDA the authority to find and regulate more toxic strains in the future. E. coli O157:H7 — the dominant Shiga toxin-producing strain of E. coli in the U.S. –  already holds status as an adulterant in ground beef.

Specifically, the much-needed legislation addresses E. coli in meat by:

• Requiring plants that produce the cuts and trimmings that make ground beef to test their products regularly before it is ground and again before all the components are ground together. For those facilities where source trim and grinding occurs at the same facility, the legislation requires one test of the source trim and another test of the final ground product.
• If ground beef is found to be contaminated, the bill requires the company to properly dispose of the contaminated batch, or cook the meat to a temperature that destroys the E. coli.
• Requiring foreign facilities to certify their product has been tested for E. coli to be eligible for importation into the country.  The domestic facility receiving the product would be required to verify the results with secondary testing.
• Requiring slaughterhouses, producers and grinding facilities receiving trimmings to use independent testing facilities operating under annual contracts. The requirement of an annual contract would prevent companies from firing a testing facility as retribution for too many positive E. coli test results found by the lab.
• Sets a threshold of 25,000 lbs of trim per day for compliance implementation to reduce the burden on small producers. Those producers under the threshold have 3 years before they must comply with the new regulation. Approximately 90 percent of producers are above the threshold and 86 plants produce roughly 75 percent of all ground beef.
• Calls for habitual violators to be listed on a public website. Any slaughterhouse or processing establishment that produces or distributes trim with positive E. coli test results for 3 consecutive days, or more than 10 times per year, will be deemed a habitual violator. The bill also establishes regulatory action for plants that fail to test or fail to notify the USDA Secretary of positive E. coli results.

Additionally, Senator Gillibrand is urging the FDA’s new under secretary for food safety, Elisabeth Hagan, to begin listing all pathogenic forms of E. coli, not just 0157:H7, as an adulterant in our meat supply.

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.

The Palmyra website lists the following as retailers of their products (this does not mean all of them received recalled Palmyra bologna):

Ohio: Acme, Buehler, Fisher Foods, Fresh Market, Giant Eagle, Heinens, Kroger, Sparkle, Swiss Village Bulk Foods and Wal-Mart

Pennsylvania: Aldi, Boyers, Family Owned Markets, Food Lion, Foodland, Fresh Market, Giant, Giant Eagle, Karns, Kuhns, Martins, Pathmark, Redners, Riverside, Shop n’ Save, Shop Rite, Stauffers of Kissel Hill, Superfresh, Thriftway / Shop n’ Bag,  Wal-Mart, Wegmans and Weis.

New Jersey: Foodtown, Pathmark, Shop Rite (no deli), Shopwell, Superfresh

Maryland: Aldi, Food King, Food Lion, Fresh Market,  Giant, Mars, Safeway, Shoppers, Superfresh, Wal-Mart, Weis

North Carolina: Food Lion, Fresh Market, Harris Teeter, Ingles, Kroger

Pritzker Olsen attorneys are investigating whether grocery stores that sold recalled Seltzer’s Lebanon bologna at their deli counters are liable to E. coli victims. This is a complex issue that may not have the same outcome in each state. Our attorneys have represented clients in Ohio, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and North Carolina.

Free consultation with an attorney at Pritzker Olsen: 1-888-377-8900 (toll free) or submit our free consultation form.

The Pennsylvania company issued a bologna recall on 23,000 pounds of Lebanon bologna products, marketed under the label of Seltzer’s Beef Lebanon Bologna, due to possible contaminated with E. coli O157:H7. As of March 22, 2011, the Center for Disease Controls (CDC) reported 14 persons infected with the outbreak strain of E. coli O157:H7 have been reported from Pennsylvania (6),  Maryland (3), New Jersey (2), Ohio (2) and North Carolina (1). Our E. coli lawyers have won money for food poisoning victims from New Jersey, North Carolina, Ohio and Pennsylvania.

One of the issues presented in multistate E. coli outbreak cases is in which state a victim should file a lawsuit. This is called venue, and possible venues often include the state where the food product was produced, the state where the contaminated food was sold to the victim and the state where the victim resides. In addition, your attorney will need to look at whether your E. coli claim should be filed in state or federal court. The facts of each case determine which state and which court  is best.

This can have a significant impact on the amount of money recovered by an E. coli victim. Our attorneys have been filing E. coli lawsuits for many years and have the experience to choose the best venue for our clients.

For a free consultation regarding a bologna E. coli lawsuit, call 1-888-377-8900 (toll free) or complete our free case consultation form. PritzkerOlsen, P.A. is one of very few law firms that litigates foodborne illness cases nationally. We only file a class action lawsuit if it is in the best interests of our clients. We would be happy to discuss this with you.