E. coli O145 Probe Continues Around Colleges
A public health study to determine the cause of an E. coli O145 outbreak in Ohio, Michigan and New York could last a couple of more weeks.
In the areas of the outbreak – Columbus, Ann Arbor and Buffalo – health investigators are presenting a questionnaire to victims of the E. coli O145 outbreak to determine where they ate and what they ate. The same questions will be asked of a control group of individuals who ate at the same places and didn’t get sick.
Though time-consuming, the epidemiological study can show patterns that implicate an individual food source as the probable cause of an outbreak. While most E. coli outbreaks are caused by contaminated ground beef, officials have told law firm Pritzker Olsen that ground beef is not high on the list of suspect foods in the current outbreak.
Since the outbreak began in early April, the number of ill people considered to be victims of the outbreak has grown to 60.
E. coli O145 is similar to the more prevalent E. coli O157:H7 in that it is an enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC) and a Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC). It is the Shiga toxins that can cause death or severe illness, including hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS.) E. coli O145 is part of a group of E. coli serotypes called non-O157 STEC.
It is not too early to contact an E. coli lawyer. For a free consultation call Pritzker Olsen at 1-888-377-8900 (Toll Free) or contact us online. Even if the food source is not found, epidemiological evidence combined with the microbiological evidence that links all of the cases of E. coli O145 together can be enough to hold a restaurant, food service company and others liable.
New York E. coli O145 Outbreak linked to Ohio, Michigan
An E. coli O145 outbreak in New York is being investigated as a companion to related outbreaks in central Ohio and the area around Ann Arbor, Michigan.
New York State Health Department spokesman Jeffrey Hammond said in an e-mail to Columbus Dispatch reporter Misti Crane that officials continue to review about a dozen suspected cases. As a precaution, the department will issue a health-care provider alert statewide.
One New York case in Erie County has already been genetically matched to the outbreak strain of E. coli O145 in Michigan and Ohio. Food safety microbiologist Phyllis Entis is reporting that the New York outbreak has a connection to Daemen College in Buffalo.
The three states are working with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to identify the particular source of contaminated food that is causing the illnesses, which could surpass 50 in number depending on lab confirmations.
In Michigan, at least, health officials are not seeing reports of additional cases. Persons in Michigan who were sickened in the outbreak were exposed to the bacteria between April 7-15.
Most persons sickened with E. coli recover within a week; however, some infections can be serious. The O145 strain of E. coli identified in the current outbreak is less common, but it is still capable of producing severe illness.
A less-common but serious complication of E.coli infection is called hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). It happens in five to 15 percent of cases and is the leading cause of kidney failure among children in the world. HUS is most likely to occur in young children and the elderly. HUS can cause serious kidney damage, brain injury, nervous system disorders, coma, stroke, paralysis and even death.
Pritzker Olsen law firm is actively investigating this outbreak. Even though the food source has not been determined, it is not too early to contact an E. coli lawyer at our law firm for a free consultation regarding your legal rights: 1-888-377-8900 (TOLL FREE) or submit our online consultation form. We are not paid unless you win.
We have recently settled an E. coli case in Michigan and are litigating E. coli cases in Ohio.
Ohio E. coli O145 Cases Linked to Michigan and New York Outbreak
Five cases of E. coli have been confirmed by the Ohio Department of Health laboratory, all of which have been linked by DNA to cases in the Ann Arbor, Michigan E. coli O145 outbreak. Eight additional E. coli cases are under investigation. State and local health officials are awaiting test results from the CDC to confirm that the E. coli strain involved is E. coli O145.
Below E. coli lawyer Fred Pritzker (1-888-377-8900 toll free) discusses the E. coli O145 outbreak in Michigan and Ohio (and now New York).
E. coli O145 is similar to the more prevalent E. coli O157:H7 in that it is an enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC) and a Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC). It is the Shiga toxins that can cause serious injury or death. E. coli O145 is part of a group of E. coli serotypes called non-O157 STEC.
Ohio public health officials are collaborating with the CDC and Michigan and New York health officials to identify the source of this outbreak of E. coli O145. Given the widespread nature of the outbreak, the source is food. According to a source, ground beef is not high on the list of suspected foods. News reports have indicated that a Mexican restaurant and campus food service facilities may be involved in the outbreak.
It is not too early to contact an E. coli lawyer for a free consultation. Even if the food source is not found, epidemiological evidence combined with the microbiological evidence that links all of the cases of E. coli O145 together can be enough to hold a restaurant, food service company and others liable.
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