At least seven people who dined at the restaurant in late December have confirmed cases of E. coli poisoning, four of them have been hospitalized, according to the Western Upper Peninsula Health Department.

Health officials have determined that the likely source of the outbreak was a food-handler at the restaurant who was ill. They are urging anyone who  became ill with bloody diarrhea in late December or early January to contact the health department.

The bacteria E.coli  can cause serious sometimes fatal infections if ingested. Symptoms of an E.coli infection include severe abdominal cramping and diarrhea. Young children, the elderly, or those who are immunocompromised are most at risk. In roughly 8 percent of cases, patients develop Hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) a condition that causes kidney failure and requires hospitalization for treatment which can include dialysis and transfusions.

If you have legal questions about an illness or hospitalization associated with this outbreak, contact the foodborne illness attorneys at PritzkerOlsen P.A. for free consultation. A toll free number is also available: 1(888) 377-8900.

In some cases, between 5 and 10 percent,  those diagnosed with an STEC infection, develop a potentially life threatening complication called Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome (HUS) and require hospitalization becasue of potential kidney failure. HUS usually effects children under 10, but it can also effect adolescents and adults. HUS usually runs its course within 15 days, but it can lead to serious long-term illness including:

Kidney Failure

HUS is the leading cause of kidney failure in children. Impaired urine production during HUS can lead to long-term health consequences including chronic kidney impairment.

Neurological Damage

During the acute stage of HUS, patients can experience seizures, stroke or coma. These can cause long-lasting or permanent neurological damage.

Diabetes

During the acute phase of HUS, patients can develop diabetes, which can persist over the long term.

Gastro-intestinal problems

HUS patients are at risk of developing  gall stones, irritable bowel syndrome, or experiencing a narrowing of the small intestine or colon.

 If you have questions about an illness or hospitalization associated with this outbreak, contact the attorneys at PritzkerOlsen P.A. for a free consultation.

If you or a loved one has been sickened in this outbreak, contact Pritzker Olsen for a free case consultation by leaving your contact information or calling 1-888-377-8900 (Toll Free). A State Fair E. coli lawsuit will consider why the safety and well-being of children and others was not adequately protected.
Pritzker Olsen is a national food safety law firm with many years of experience in outbreak investigations and E. coli litigation. We have won tens of millions of dollars over the years for those who have been harmed by negligence. Our firm also is actively involved in multiple efforts to prevent the spread of pathogens that cause foodborne illness. Outbreaks are preventable and legal action, in our experience, is a meaningful agent for systematic change.

The outbreak, which initially was thought to have stricken 37 salad bar customers at Schnucks grocery stores in the St. Louis area, was linked to a single lot of Romaine lettuce grown on a California farm.

The search for the source has been ongoing sine the outbreak began on October 10. Because multiple tests at various Schnucks locations never revealed the presence of E.coli, the federal Food and Drug Administration (FDA) expanded the traceback investigation to include suppliers and distributors of the grocery chain.

Working with several state agencies, the FDA conducted traceback investigations for romaine lettuce to try to identify the source of contamination. Traceback analysis determined that a single common lot of romaine lettuce harvested from a California farm was used to supply the Schnucks grocery store chain as well as the university campus in Minnesota during the time of the illnesses. The same lot was also provided to a distributor that supplied lettuce to the university campus in Missouri, but records were not sufficient to determine if this lot was sent to this university campus.

As of November 30, 2011, 60 people had been infected with the same strain of E. coli 0157:H7. The confirmed illnesses by state are as follows: Arizona (1), Arkansas (2), Georgia (1), Illinois (9), Indiana (2), Kansas (3), Kentucky (1), Minnesota (3), Missouri (37), and Nebraska (1).

An E.coli infection can create serious illness. Most people infected with E. coli O157:H7 develop bloody diarrhea and abdominal cramps 2-8 days after swallowing the organism, but some illnesses last longer and are more severe. A type of kidney failure called hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) can begin as the diarrhea is improving; this condition can occur among persons of any age but is most common in children under 5 years old and the elderly. Signs and symptoms of HUS may include fever, abdominal pain, pale skin tone, fatigue and irritability, small, unexplained bruises or bleeding from the nose and mouth, decreased urination, and swelling of the face, hands, feet, or entire body. Persons who experience these symptoms and believe they are at risk for HUS should seek emergency medical care immediately.

Anyone with legal questions about an illness or hospitalization associated with this outbreak should contact the foodborne illness attorneys at PritzkerOlsen for a free consultation.

The Fresno County Department of Health has inspected Organic Pastures 10 times over the last 15 months. Four of those were routine inspections where “significant violations” were found that required mandatory re-inspection. Some of these violations were for unsanitary conditions, such as a broken toilet, lack of hot water for hand washing in the bathroom sink, manure on barn walls and exit ramps and under barn mats, all of which were cited in a report from August 24, 2010. Other reports site the lack of a concrete pad at a docking station and beneath a mobile barn.

• On September 12, 2008, the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CFDA) issued a recall for raw cream manufactured at the dairy after tests showed it was contaminated with Campylobacter.
• On September 7, 2007, the CFDA issued a recall for raw cream manufactured at the dairy after Listeria monocytogenes bacteria turned up on a routine inspection.
• On September 21, 2006, the CFDA issued a recall after four children contracted E. coli infections after consuming raw milk products from the dairy.

Campylobacter, Listeria and E. coli are all dangerous pathogens that can cause serious sometimes fatal infections. With all foodborne illnesses, children are among those most a risk for serious complications, including hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) which can lead to kidney failure.

A press release on the Organic Pastures website states:

“It is a common goal of Organic Pastures and the California Department of Public Health to rapidly investigate any linkage between these cases and raw milk. Each month CDFA tests all Organic Pastures’ products for pathogens, in addition Organic Pastures uses a third party for pathogen testing multiple times per week. All these tests have been negative. It has been reported to us by the California Department of Public Health that as of today all products collected from the ill patients have been negative for E. Coli 0157:H7.”

But a review of  CFDA inspections does support the claim that the dairy is inspected each month. Four of the 10 inspections during the last 15 months were mandatory re-inspections. Had they not been required, the dairy would have had six inspections during a 15 month period.

In a USA Today story, McAfee says that the state of California has no evidence that shows children drank contaminated milk and that he finds the case “highly suspicious.” But, as Steve Lyle  of the CFDA countered in the story,  ”milk is perishable, so the product consumed by the children was not available for testing” by the time they got sick “and that’s typically to be expected.”

Anyone who experiences abdominal cramping or bloody diarrhea after consuming raw milk products should seek immediate medical attention. Those with questions regarding an illness or hospitalization associated with this outbreak should contact the national food safety law firm PritzkerOslen P.A. for a free consultation.

Some, but not all, of the 26 confirmed cases in the outbreak ate from salad bars at Schnucks stores and inspections of several Schnucks stores and warehouses have all turned up clean, the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) said in an update about the investigation released yesterday.

Laboratory testing to identify the “genetic fingerprint” of the E. coli involved is underway. So far, 26 samples have been completed and they all match, suggesting that all 26 people are part of the outbreak and that only one specific organism is involved, DHSS said in the statement.

Food samples are also being tested to determine whether E. coli is present.  So far, 17 samples have been submitted, and all have come back negative for E. coli.  These samples included two strawberries retrieved from sick individuals’ homes, DHSS statement said. The remaining samples consist of lettuce, strawberries, and Caesar dressing taken from several Schnuck’s stores in the region.

“Those products that were in question were not created by Schnucks,” Schnucks spokeswoman Lori Willis told the Moris Daily Herald. “There’s got to be a supplier involved in some way.”

Public health officials continue to urge anyone in the St. Louis area experiencing gastrointestinal symptoms, including severe stomach cramps, diarrhea or nausea, to seek medical attention.

Those with legal questions about an illness associated with this outbreak should contact  PritzkerOlsen P.A., one of the nation’s leading food safety law firms for a free consultation regarding a . A toll free number is also available 1(888) 377-8900.

Wisconsin state epidemiologists and county public health officials are investigating the latest cases, reported at Abe Lincoln Elementary in the Monroe School District. Do these cases match the earlier ones? DNA fingerprinting tests of the bacteria will soon provide the answer.  Then the question becomes: What food source is causing the spread of toxic E. coli in children in southern Wisconsin?

E. coli outbreaks can be prevented and the parties responsible for them should be held accountable in litigation efforts that have the dual effect of compensating those who are harmed and deterring future outbreaks — many of which result from negligence.

The greatest fear is that children infected with E. coli O157:H7 will suffer kidney failure and a host of other life-threatening complications that present themselves in various stages of E. coli HUS, or hemolytic uremic syndrome. Bloody diarrhea is a major symptom of toxic E. coli infection and parents should immediately seek the care of a physician when the symptom arises. HUS hits hardest in children under 5, but can affect healthy adults of any age.

For legal representation in E. coli O157:H7 outbreaks, contact attorneys at the Pritzker Olsen legal group. We are one of the very few law firms in the country practicing extensively in the area of foodborne illness litigation and we have collected tens of millions of dollars for E. coli victims in Wisconsin, Minnesota and in many places beyond the Upper Midwest. The affects of E. coli O157:H7 infection and HUS, or HUS-TTP, can last a lifetime and a good E. coli lawyer will factor these long-term costs into computations for fair compensation.

Case consultations from a lawyer at Pritzker Olsen are free. Call 1-888-377-8900 (Toll Free) or leave your contact information and an attorney will call you.

E. coli lawyer Fred Pritzker, a leading national attorney representing victims of foodborne illness outbreaks, is investigating the outbreak in Butler County, Ohio, and accepting cases from families and individuals sickened by this potentially lethal human pathogen. The federal government currently bans E. coli O157:H7 from ground beef, meaning the mere presence of the bacteria is illegal and actionable when people are harmed. Pritzker is providing free case consultations at 1-888-377-8900 (Toll Free) or will respond to those who leave contact information. His firm has successfully represented Ohioans in previous food poisoning lawsuits and Pritzker has recovered tens of millions for E. coli victims around the country.

First and foremost, the Tyson products subject to recall have a “BEST BEFORE OR FREEZE BY” date of “SEP 12 2011″ and the establishment number “245D” ink jetted along the package seam. When available, our firm will post the complete retail distribution list of the potentially contaminated ground beef and the list is expected to include stores, including Kroger, in many states beyond Ohio.  Consumers should act with extreme caution and check labels because E. coli O157:H7 cannot be detected by odor and color of meat is not a reliable indicator for the safe cooking of contaminated hamburger. Bugs located in the center of a patty or meatball can survive because temperatures don’t always reach the 160 degrees needed to kill them.

USDA announced the Tyson ground beef E. coli recall  after the agency was notified by the Ohio Department of Health of E. coli 0157:H7 illnesses located in Butler County, an area centered in Hamilton, north of Cincinnati. Illness onset dates range from September 8-11, 2011. “The on-going investigation involved collecting leftover ground beef from the patients’ home on Sept. 19 which tested positive for E. coli O157:H7,” USDA wrote.

Ohio Hamburger Recall Information:

• 5-pound chubs of Kroger-brand “GROUND BEEF 73% LEAN – 27% FAT,” packed in 40-pound cases containing eight chubs. Cases bear an identifying product code of “D-0211 QW.” These products were produced on Aug. 23, 2011 and were shipped to distribution centers in Ind. and Tenn. for retail sale.
• 3-pound chubs of Butcher’s Brand “GROUND BEEF 73% LEAN – 27% FAT,” packed in 36-pound cases each containing 12 chubs. Cases bear an identifying product code of “D-0211 LWIF.” These products were produced on Aug. 23, 2011 and were shipped to distribution centers in N.C. and S.C. for retail sale.
• 3-pound chubs of a generic label “GROUND BEEF 73% LEAN – 27% FAT,” packed in 36-pound cases each containing 12 chubs. Cases bear an identifying product code of “D-0211 LWI.” These products were produced on Aug. 23, 2011 and were shipped to distribution centers in Del., Fla., Ga., Md., Ill., Ind., Mo., N.Y., Ohio, Tenn., Texas and Wis. for retail sale.

Beth Kaplan, spokeswoman for the state Department of Health Services, told the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel that the state has done testing to confirm if everyone has been affected by the same genetically matched strain of E. coli O157:H7. The outbreak started in mid-August and the most recent case was reported in early September, Kaplan said Wednesday. It appears isolated in Green County, she said.

E. coli lawyer Fred Pritzker, whose law firm Pritzker Olsen Attorneys is one of the very few in the country practicing extensively in the area of foodborne illness litigation, is investigating this outbreak and answering legal questions for individuals and families who have been impacted by the contamination. Those discussions are free at 1-888-377-8900 (Toll Free) or submit contact information and a lawyer will call.

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. The time between exposure and feeling sick is usually 3-4 days, but may be as short as 1 day or as long as 10 days. The symptoms often begin slowly with mild belly pain or non-bloody diarrhea that worsens over several days.

In 5 to 15 percent of cases, infections lead to life-threatening hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). In the Wisconsin E. coli outbreak in Green County, two of nine case patients were hospitalized with HUS, which initially leads to kidney failure and can cause many other harms including severe anemia, stroke, seizures, heart problems and central nervous system disorder including paralysis. Children under the age of 5 are in the age group most at risk for HUS, a disease that attacks a person’s red blood cells and fragments them.

Pritzker Olsen represents victims of E. coli HUS and other serious illness caused by food poisoning. Our job is to hold purveyors of contaminated food throughout the supply chain accountable and responsible for the deaths and serious illnesses caused by negligence and safety failure. Food poisoning is preventable and our firm has collected tens of millions of dollars for victims of E. coli HUS while also keeping actively involved in efforts to eliminate the spread of human pathogens in our food.

The health district is urging anyone in the Bell County area to seek medical care immediately if they suffer bloody diarrhea, a telltale symptom of Shiga toxin-producing E. coli. These types of E. coli can lead to hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) and thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) — related diseases that lead to kidney failure and can trigger a cascade of severe and long-lasting health problems affecting the heart, brain and central nervous system.

E. coli bacteria can be passed from person to person, but starts in most outbreaks as a contaminant in food. The pathogenic organisms originate in the intestines of animals, especially cows, and are expelled in feces. Ground beef, needle-tenderized steak, other meat products, raw milk, lettuce, spinach, fruit, cider, nuts and other foods can carry E. coli.

The Bell County E. coli outbreak is being investigated by national food safety law firm Pritzker Olsen, a leading representative for victims of food poisoning outbreak victims. Our attorneys have collected tens of millions of dollars for individuals and families harmed by E. coli and other pathogens by holding purveyors of contaminated food accountable. Contact an E. coli attorney online or call 1-888-377-8900 (Toll Free) to receive a free case consultation.