Tennessee E. coli Investigation Continues as More Cases are Confirmed
Tennessee is in the midst of what appears to be at least two E. coli outbreaks, and health officials have yet to determine the sources. It is “outbreaks” because health officials have reported that some of the cases of E. coli are not related to each other. The number of E. coli victims continues to grow with two more cases bringing the total to 13 sickened in Northeast Tennessee.
Two Virginia cases may also be connected to one of the Tennessee outbreaks. A 2-year-old girl and her 5-year-old brother from Dryden, Virginia contracted E. coli infections that developed into hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), an often fatal illness sometimes referred to as E. coli kidney failure. In addition to kidney failure, HUS can cause brain damage, heart attack, stroke, blindness, severe hypertension and other serious health problems. The girl died, and her brother is out of the hospital.
E. coli is dangerous because it produces Shiga toxins, which cause a condition known as hemorrhagic colitis, the source of the bloody diarrhea associated with E. coli O157:H7 infections. Shiga toxin is also responsible for HUS.
These E. coli outbreaks come with a cost. One family has lost a daughter and has medical expenses and other financial losses related to their son’s illness. Many other families also have medical expenses and other losses. In addition, the children and adults who were sickened suffered severe pain. Those responsible should be held accountable. We have handled many cases where a “smoking gun” was never found. The epidemiological and microbiological evidence needs to be examined to see if there is sufficient evidence to file a lawsuit.
