For Shiga Toxin-Producing E. coli, a category dominated by E. coli O157:H7, the total number of cases grew for the fourth straight year to 5,309. By month, the two highest totals were recorded in August (843 cases) and July (668). The lowest monthly total for E. coli cases in 2008 was 147 in February.

The CDC didn’t provide a breakdown of the incidence rate, but it noted in highlights to the report that 2004 was the last year in which E. coli O157:H7 was measured at an incidence rate that met the U.S. Healthy People 2010 goal of less than 1 case per 100,000 population. “Since then, the incidence has increased,” the report says.

Here’s a look at the total number of confirmed E. coli cases tracked by CDC since 2004 in the United States:

• 2004 — 3,169
• 2005 — 3,529
• 2006 — 4,432
• 2007 — 4,847
• 2008 — 5,309

Law firm Pritzker Olsen is one of the country’s leading practitioners of E. coli litigation and other lawsuits stemming from foodborne illness. If you or a loved one has been sickened by E. coli, contact us for a free case consultation at 1-888-377-8900 (Toll Free) or submit the contact form on the side of this Web page.

Over the years we have collected millions for victims of E. coli O157:H7 infection and other types of food poisoning. This includes handling of many serious cases of hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) and thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP).

As a law firm for victims we are involved in practically every major outbreak of foodborne illness and are dedicated to taking an active role in efforts to prevent E. coli outbreaks and reduce the spread of disease from contamination in our food supply.

A 53-year-old woman from Lakewood, Colorado, has filed a buffalo E. coli lawsuit against the Rocky Mountain Natural Meats after eating contaminated bison and developing an E. coli O157:H7 infection that caused her to be hospitalized. She is represented by law firm Pritzker Olsen. The same firm  represents a man from Baltimore, Maryland, who is one of seven people identified by health officials as being infected by the same strain of E. coli. Five are in Colorado and one is in New York.

Attorney Fred Pritzker, founder and president of the law firm, said that in the past and currently, bison meat has not been subject to the same E. coli O157:H7 testing requirements as ground beef. Many people assume that bison meat is safer than beef, but that reputation needs to be re-examined. Interestingly, the bison industry recognized this concern over two years ago.

The National Bison Association has noted:

Under our current status… bison are not required to undergo testing for E. coli O157:H7. Most of the commercial-scale USDA bison processors do conduct their own testing on a voluntary basis, and many of those systems exceed the standards required by USDA. However, the designation as a non-amenable species also allows producers to sell meat to the general public without undergoing some of the standard antimicrobial testing required by other commodities.

The statement from the bison trade group went on to say that any product recall based upon test results identifying the presence of E. coli O157:H7 would have a negative impact for the overall bison industry. However, the impact of an incident in which a consumer became ill from consuming meat that did not have to undergo testing for E. coli O157H7 could be even more devastating.

“Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” is not the basis for instilling consumer confidence in the integrity of our industry,” the statement said.

In response to the outbreak linked to Rocky Mountain Natural Meats, the bison association is telling its members to emphasize that the only products subject to recall were produced by the Colorado company. All recalled packages are marked with USDA establishment number “EST. 20247”.

• 16-ounce packages of “GREAT RANGE BRAND ALL NATURAL GROUND BISON.” These products have a “sell or freeze by” date of June 21, June 22 or June 24, 2010.
• 16-ounce packages of “NATURE’S RANCHER GROUND BUFFALO.” These products have a “sell or freeze by” date of June 22, 2010.
• 16-ounce packages of “THE BUFFALO GUYS ALL NATURAL GROUND BUFFALO 90% LEAN.” These products have a lot number of 0147.
• 12-ounce packages of “GREAT RANGE BRAND ALL NATURAL BISON STEAK MEDALLIONS.” These products have a “sell or freeze by” date of June 23 and 24, 2010
• 12-ounce packages of “GREAT RANGE BRAND ALL NATURAL BISON SIRLOIN STEAKS.” These products have a “sell or freeze by” date of June 20, June 23 and 24, 2010
• 15-pound boxes of “ROCKY MOUNTAIN NATURAL MEATS, INC. BISON 10 OZ SIRLOIN STEAK.” These products went to restaurants and bear a Julian Code of 0141.

Thirteen children and one adult have been diagnosed with E. coli infections according to Fox 31 KDVR-TV. County officials told the station that no one has been hospitalized. The child care facility has remained open and the source of the outbreak remains a mystery.

Little Sailors Child Development in Northglenn is one of 600 child care centers regulated in the tri-county area of Adams, Arapahoe and Douglas counties.

If you or your child has been sickened in this outbreak, contact an E. coli lawyer at Pritzker Olsen law firm at 1-888-377-8900 (Toll Free) or complete the form on the side of this Web page. Our firm is a leading practitioner of foodborne illness outbreak litigation and we are involved in practically every major outbreak.

Symptoms of E.coli include abdominal cramping followed by diarrhea that progressively worsens and is often bloody. In 5 to 15 percent of cases, patients develop hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a severe infection that often results in kidney failure and can lead to strokes, anemia, paralysis, brain damage and heart problems.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, children under 5 are the most prone of any age group to develop HUS.

The recall revision adds various weight boxes of Rocky Mountain Natural Meats  “BISON B TRIM” to the pre-existing recall notice for 66,000 pounds of ground buffalo and buffalo steaks and medallions. The B Trim boxes bear a production date of May 21, 2010 and a Julian Code of 14110. The boxes also state “KEEP REFRIGERATED.”

The new notice from USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) doesn’t contain new information about the ground buffalo E. coli outbreak previously announced last Friday. So far there have been five people in Colorado and one in New York sickened by the same strain of E. coli O157:H7, a potentially deadly bacterium that is banned in ground beef.

FSIS associated the Colorado outbreak with ground buffalo recalled by Rocky Mountain Natural Meats of Henderson, Colo. The individual brands are Great Range Ground Bison, Nature’s Rancher Ground Buffalo and The Buffalo Guys Ground Buffalo 90 Percent Lean. They are sold nationwide at grocery stores and in some restaurants via distributors in Arizona and Utah.

Because consumers often freeze retail meat purchases, officials fear there is a potential for the outbreak to grow indefinitely. Freezing temps don’t kill the pathogen. If you have eaten buffalo meat and fallen ill with painful diarrhea, including bloody diarrhea, contact your physician immediately and request a stool culture.

Law firm Pritzker Olsen represents a Lakewood, Colorado, woman, who is a victim of this outbreak and the firm is accepting additional cases. Attorney Fred Pritzker has begun his own independent investigation and is available to discuss legal aspects with individuals and families affected by this Colorado bison E. coli outbreak.

To contact Fred, call 1-888-377-8900 (Toll Free) or complete the online contact form on the side of this Web page.

See the originial recall information by clicking here.

Fred Pritzker, founder and president of the national food safety law firm, said a  Rocky Mountain Natural Meats E. coli lawsuit will be filed in Jefferson County, Colorado.

The client purchased the tainted buffalo from a King Soopers supermarket before USDA’s Food Safety Inspection Service (FSIS) announced a recall late last week of 66,000 pounds of ground buffalo and other buffalo products. Health officials confirmed that she was infected with the same strain of E. coli O157:H7 as a group of other Colorado residents.

Health investigators have associated the cluster of potentially deadly bacterial infections with ground buffalo from Rocky Mountain Natural Meats. At least one person from New York also has been sickened by the outbreak strain of E. coli.

Brands included in the Colorado buffalo recall are Great Range Ground Bison and Nature’s Rancher Ground Buffalo.

Pritzker Olsen is conducting its own investigation of the outbreak and is accepting additional cases. To contact Fred, call 1-888-377-8900 (Toll Free) or complete our online contact form. Our firm is a leading practitioner of foodborne illness litigation and we have collected millions over the years for victims of food poisoning.

In addition, members of our firm are actively involved in efforts to prevent outbreaks of E. coli and other human pathogens.

Nature’s Rancher Ground Buffalo, Great Range Ground Bison and The Buffalo Guys Ground Buffalo have been officially associated with the outbreak by USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) in conjunction with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and state health departments in Colorado and New York.

The investigation is continuing, but so far five people in Colorado and one person in New York have been infected by the same genetic strain of E. coli O157:H7. The maker of the ground buffalo, Rocky Mountain Natural Meats, has recalled 66,000 pounds of buffalo products, including some steaks and medallions.

The initial FSIS listing of retail outlets  doesn’t indicate  individual stores involved in the distribution of ground buffalo and other buffalo products recalled during the 4th of July weekend by Rocky Mountain Natural Meats. It merely lists the following chains as distributors: Hannaford’s, King Soopers, Market Basket, Price Chopper’s and Whole Foods.

If you or a loved one has become ill after eating ground buffalo involved in this E. coli recall, contact your physician immediately. For answers to legal questions and for free case consultations, contact law firm Pritzker Olsen at 1-888-377-8900 (Toll Free) or complete our online contact form.

Our firm is conducting its own investigation into this Colorado buffalo E. coli outbreak. Over the years we have collected millions for victims of E. coli and other types of food poisoning while also working actively to help prevent foodborne illness.

• Great Range Ground Bison
• Nature’s Rancher Ground Buffalo
• The Buffalo Guys Ground Buffalo

In this outbreak, USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service has determined that there is an association between potentially contaminated ground bison products recalled by Rocky Mountain Natural Meats and a cluster of five E. coli illnesses in the state of Colorado.

Specifically, USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service has published the following Class I High Health Risk recall:

• 16-ounce packages of “GREAT RANGE BRAND ALL NATURAL GROUND BISON.” These products have a “sell or freeze by” date of June 21, June 22 or June 24, 2010.
• 16-ounce packages of “NATURE’S RANCHER GROUND BUFFALO.” These products have a “sell or freeze by” date of June 22, 2010.
• 16-ounce packages of “THE BUFFALO GUYS ALL NATURAL GROUND BUFFALO 90% LEAN.” These products have a lot number of 0147.

FSIS became aware of the danger while investigating a cluster of E. coli O157:H7 illnesses in Colorado with illness onset dates between June 4, 2010 and June 9, 2010. One additional case of E. coli in New York shares the same genetic fingerprint as the Colorado cases.

Rocky Mountain Natural Meats is based in Henderson, Colorado. The company’s 66,000-pound recall includes bison medallions and buffalo sirloin steak. The buffalo products were distributed around the country in grocery stores and to restaurants via foodservice distributors in Arizona and Utah.

If you or a family member has been sickened in this ground bison E. coli outbreak, contact law firm Pritzker Olsen for a free consultation about compensation for medical expenses, lost wages and other harms. Our firm has a national reputation as a premier practitioner of E. coli litigation and other foodborne illness lawsuits. Over the years we have collected millions for victims of food poisoning.

To contact an E. coli lawyer, call 1-888-377-8900 (Toll Free) or complete the online form on the side of this Web page.

Brands include Great Range and Nature’s Rancher. The bison was distributed to grocery stores nationwide and the restaurants via foodservice distributors in Utah and Arizona.

USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service issued a Class I Recall with high health risk for 66,000 pounds of ground and tenderized steak bison products that may be contaminated with E. coli O157:H7.

The same DNA fingerprint has been found in five case patients from Colorado and one from New York. The illnesses are now associated with Rocky Mountain Natural Meats bison under recall. The investigation is continuing with participation from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Law firm Pritzker Olsen is conducting its own investigation into this outbreak for a possible Rocky Mountain Natural Meats lawsuit. If you have information or legal questions, contact E. coli lawyer Fred Pritzker at 1-888-377-8900 (Toll Free) or contact him online with the form on the side of this Web page.

Pritzker Olsen is a leading practitioner of foodborne illness litigation and has years of direct experience representing victims of E. coli O157:H7. We are involved in practically every major outbreak of foodborne illness.

E. coli O157:H7 is a potentially deadly bacterium that can cause bloody diarrhea, dehydration, and in severe cases, kidney failure. The very young, seniors and persons with weak immune systems are the most susceptible to foodborne illness. In serious cases, E. coli can lead to hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) and thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP).

The following products are subject to recall:

• 16-ounce packages of “GREAT RANGE BRAND ALL NATURAL GROUND BISON.” These products have a “sell or freeze by” date of June 21, June 22 or June 24, 2010.
• 16-ounce packages of “NATURE’S RANCHER GROUND BUFFALO.” These products have a “sell or freeze by” date of June 22, 2010.
• 16-ounce packages of “THE BUFFALO GUYS ALL NATURAL GROUND BUFFALO 90% LEAN.” These products have a lot number of 0147.
• 12-ounce packages of “GREAT RANGE BRAND ALL NATURAL BISON STEAK MEDALLIONS.” These products have a “sell or freeze by” date of June 23 and June 24, 2010
• 12-ounce packages of “GREAT RANGE BRAND ALL NATURAL BISON SIRLOIN STEAKS.” These products have a “sell or freeze by” date of June 20, June 23 and June 24, 2010
• 15-pound boxes of “ROCKY MOUNTAIN NATURAL MEATS, INC. BISON 10 OZ SIRLOIN STEAK.” These products went to restaurants and bear a Julian Code of 0141.

Today, the Minnesota Department of Health announced that state health officials have linked three cases of E. coli O157:H7 illness with raw milk from Hartmann Dairy Farm in Gibbon, Minnesota (also known as M.O.M.’s). One of the people sickened has developed E. coli HUS.

If you have any of this milk, you should not consume it.  If someone has consumed some of the milk, you should not discard the milk until you are sure that the person who consumed the raw milk has not contracted an E. coli infection.  If you or someone you loved has been diagnosed with E. coli, contact our law firm.

The Hartmann Dairy raw milk may be labeled organic and consumers may be unaware that the milk has not been pasteurized. In addition, consumers should not eat cheese, ice cream or other dairy products from Hartmann Dairy Farm, which also may have been made from raw, unpasteurized milk, according to the Minnesota Department of Health.

According to the Missouri Department of Health and Human Services, the  Class Act Sports Complex E. coli outbreak began at the end of April.

Officials with the Cape Girardeau County Public Health Center tested water from a drinking fountain and a faucet within the facility and confirmed the presence of E. coli in both samples. The sports complex, which is served by a private well, shut off its water at the urging of local health officials.

The state health agency said testing confirmed five E. coli infections. Nine other illnesses in people who drank water are considered probable cases of E. coli.

The Department of Health and Senior Services said it is working with local health officials to determine the source of the contamination. The agency did not say what type of E. coli was found.

People who have become ill after drinking water at the Class Act Sports Complex are asked to contact local health officials. For answers to legal questions about the outbreak, victims may call food safety law firm Pritzker Olsen at 1-888-377-8900 (Toll Free) or complete our online contact form.

Pritzker Olsen is one of the few law firms in the country practicing extensively in the area of foodborne illness litigation. Over the years, we have collected millions for victims and we are involved in practically every major outbreak of food poisoning.