E. coli O157:H7 Transmits Easily from Infected Restaurant Workers to Unsuspecting Customers
E. coli O157:H7 is an organism easily transmitted from person to person and the best prevention against foodborne illness is to wash hands before preparing food and avoid handling food when ill. The latest example of what can happen when an infected person goes to work at a restaurant is on display in Houghton, Michigan, where the Western Upper Penninsula Health Department continues to investigate an outbreak linked to The Ambassador Restaurant.
Dr. Terry Frankovich, the agency’s medical director, said the likely source of the Christmas-time outbreak was an ill food-handler. Five people initially were confirmed as case patients, including a customer from Wisconsin. Later, two more diners were identified as infected by the outbreak strain of E. coli O157:H7. Local authorities are asking any Ambassador customers who came down with bloody diarrhea after eating at the restaurant in late December or early January to come forward by reaching an attorney or calling the health department directly at 906-482-7382.
According to health department records reviewed by national food safety law firm Pritzker Olsen Attorneys, The Ambassador did fairly well in six inspections conducted between January 20, 2010 and August 1, 2011. One of the inspections found food storage temperatures out of compliance, but the problem was rectified by the time inspectors did a follow-up, the records show.
An E. coli lawyer from Pritzker Olsen is continuing to investigate the outbreak and can provide any concerned family or individual a free case consultation at 1-888-377-8900 (Toll Free) or leave your contact information and the attorney will call you.
In some people, especially young children, the elderly, or those who are immunocompromised, a more severe illness, even death, can result from E. coli O157:H7. Hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS)
occurs in about 8 percent of infections. Persons with this illness have kidney failure and may require dialysis and transfusions. In The Ambassador E. coli outbreak, four people were hospitalized.
A good E. coli lawyer will seek recoveries that not only address medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering and other harms, but also will compensate a victims for harms that will continue into the future. Studies have shown that even people with uncomplicated E. coli illness can suffer vascular injuries and related problems that can last throughout a person’s life. Food poisoning lawsuits and negotiations seek to hold suppliers and service providers accountable for introducing dangerous pathogens into the food supply.
St. Louis E. coli Outbreak Update: 30 Confirmed Cases
The investigation of the E. coli outbreak in the St. Louis, MO area continues, and new confirmed cases are added almost daily. There are now 30 people with confirmed cases of E. coli O157:H7. All of these people were sickened by E. coli bacteria with matching DNA fingerprints. Most of them ate food from a Schnucks salad bar.
Contact our E. coli lawyers for a free consultation regarding a Schnucks E. coli lawsuit.
One of the confirmed cases is not from the St. Louis area, but from Boone County. That person reported spending time in St. Louis during the timeframe established by the investigative team for the outbreak. Investigators continue to work with public health officials to determine whether three other specimens previously submitted from Boone County are connected to the outbreak. These specimens tested positive for E. coli O157:H7.
DHSS continues to work closely with a team from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). CDC has set up a case study by contacting individuals in neighborhoods where patients have been identified. The case control study will enable investigators to compare data from participants with those who have become sick.
DHSS has tested 55 food samples obtained from Schnucks salad bars and ill person’s homes. None of the samples tested positive for E. coli. The search for the source of the outbreak now involves the inspection of facilities that may have been part of the distribution chain supplying salad bar items to Schnucks. The FDA is assisting with the investigation of these facilities because some of them are located in other states.
Texas Toddler’s Battle with E. coli and Salmonella Leads to Wings-N-More Inspection
In Texas, a Corpus Christi toddler spent a week in the hospital battling infection from E. coli and Salmonella,the girl’s mother told KRIS-TV. The station’s report said Nueces County health authorities are investigating a refrigeration problem at a Wings-N-More, a restaurant where the girl had eaten chicken strips before becoming ill.
Health inspectors discovered that the restaurant had stored raw chicken strips at a temperature of 68-degrees — almost 30 degrees above the maximum recommended temperature, KRIS reported. The restaurant said the refrigerator would be replaced. The toddler’s mother said her daughter was placed in isolation at Driscoll Children’s Hospital for three days during her hospitalization, which ended this week, according to the television report.
Young children, older adults and people with weakened immune systems are the most susceptible to severe illness by infection from E. coli and Salmonella which are
microscopic bacteria that live in the intestinal tracts of infected animals and humans. If they pass from the feces of people or animals to other people or other animals, they can cause diarrheal illness in humans. Bacteria multiply rapidly between 40 °F and 140 °F. To keep food out of this “Danger Zone,” it is important to keep cold food cold and hot food hot, according to USDA guidelines. If present in food, Salmonella bacteria does not usually affect the taste, smell, or appearance of the food.
National food safety law firm PritzkerOlsen, P.A., represents victims of food poisoning in lawsuits against restaurants, meatpackers and all other food purveyors. Our firm is one of the very few in the country practicing extensively in the area of foodborne illness litigation, and we have collected tens of millions of dollars in food poisoning awards for victims around the country. Free case consultations are available by calling 1-888-377-8900 (Toll Free) or by sending contact information for a lawyer to call you at no expense.
E. coli O157:NM Outbreak in Michigan Linked to McNees Meats
The E. coli O157:NM outbreak in Michigan has sent 6 people to the hospital. E. coli O157 can cause thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) and hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), life-threatening complications of an E. coli infection that can cause kidney failure, central nervous system damage, heart failure, pancreatitis and other serious health problems. Read more about E. coli O157:NM, TTP and HUS. To date, five confirmed cases of E. coli O157:NM are confirmed and four are suspected in the following Michigan counties: Lapeer, Genesee, Isabella, and Sanilac.
Our attorneys are investigating the outbreak, which has been linked to ground beef products from McNees Meats and Wholesale, LLC, in North Branch, Michigan. In response to the outbreak, McNees Meats recalled about 2,200 pounds of ground beef that was distributed through the company store at 6267 Old State Road, North Branch, MI, and also sold to retail establishments and restaurants in Armada, Lapeer and North Branch, Mich.
The list of recalled McNees ground beef products includes:
- 1 and 10-lb. clear packages of “McNees Ground Beef Bulk.”
- 1 to1.5-lb., approximate weight clear plastic bags of “McNees Ground beef patties.”
- 1-lb. packages of “McNees Ground Round.”
- 1 and 2-lb packages of “McNees Ground Beef Bulk” sold in red and white plastic bags.
People who have been sickened in an E. coli outbreak may be able to file an E. coli lawsuit and recover money for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering and other damages. The E. coli attorneys at Pritzker Olsen have recovered millions of dollars on behalf of E. coli victims and victims of other food borne pathogens.
Contact the E. coli lawyers at Pritzker Olsen for a free case evaluation >>
Jaquith Strawberry Farm E. coli Outbreak in Oregon – Lawyers Investigating
Our E. coli lawyers are investigating an E. coli O157:H7 outbreak in Oregon associated with eating strawberries from Jaquith Strawberry Farm located in Newberg, Oregon. Jaquith sold its strawberries to buyers who then resold them at roadside stands and farmers’ markets in Multnomah, Washington, Clackamas, Yamhill and Clatsop counties.
Ten people have confirmed E. coli O157:H7 infections caused by a single strain. The E. coli victims include residents of Washington, Clatsop, and Multnomah counties. Six other people in northwest Oregon also have recently developed an E. coli O157:H7 infection and appear to be part of this outbreak.
Of the confirmed cases, four have been hospitalized. Two of those hospitalized had E. coli kidney failure, and one of them, a woman from Washington County, died. Approximately 5 percent of people infected with E. coli O157:H7, especially young children and the elderly, develop hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) and/or thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) and suffer serious and potentially fatal E. coli kidney damage and failure.
Jaquith has recalled its products. While investigating the farm, William Keene, senior epidemiologist with Oregon Public Health, saw dear roaming through the strawberry field. Keene is having deer feces tested for E. coli to determine if deer are the source of the E. coli contamination, Keene told the Oregonian.
