E. coli Blog - Surveillance & analysis on e. coli news & outbreaks

According to Agence France Presse, minced meat sold in the popular Leclerc supermarket chain in France has left at least 17 people with severe gastrointestinal problems because of E. coli contamination.

All but one of the victims were children. They were rushed to the hospital and some are being treated in intensive care.

Ten of the children have a related complication called hemolytic uremic syndrome - a potentially fatal condition where red blood cells are destroyed and kidneys fail.

The contaminated meat was traced back to frozen patties sold under the brands Chantegril and Marque Repere. The contamination appeared to have come from beef slaughter and preparation company Soviba.

The products are being recalled and consumers alerted.

A Portland woman has gone to federal court to sue the Dole Food Company over packaged salad contaminated with E-coli.

Mary Scheetz, who suffered severe gastrointestinal illness and pain that put her in the hospital for several days, has filed a lawsuit in the US District Court in Portland, alleging that Dole was negligent for the contamination, and for not moving more quickly to get it off the shelves.

The Food and Drug Administration issued a nationwide health alert earlier this month against eating certain packaged Dole salads because of the contamination.

Heather Sokoloff of the National Post, with files from Adrian Humphreys and Lee Greenberg, reports that two planeloads of children stricken by an E. coli outbreak were flown out of an Ontario Indian reserve for medical treatment last night.

David Ramsay, Ontario's minister responsible for Indian affairs, said he no longer trusts Ottawa to ensure drinking water is safe in the Indian communities that fall under the federal government's jurisdiction. He is promising to investigate the water quality at 50 reserves throughout the province.

Two years ago the Ontario Clean Water Agency released a report warning Kashechewan's water could become contaminated as the treatment plant is dangerously close to the spot where the community's raw sewage flows into the Albany River.

The first evacuees had skin problems such as rashes, scabies, and diarrhea. Keshachewan's water treatment facilities, built by Ottawa, are apparently non-functional and the majority of the reserve's 1,900 inhabitants suffer from severe skin infections. All residents will need to be vaccinated for Hepatitis A and B.

The Red Cross, the Canadian Forces, and Emergency Management Ontario are working together to ensure shelter for the evacuees.

San Francisco Chronicle reports that the Center for Disease Control estimates that Americans experience 76 million food-borne illnesses a year.

Unfortunately, very few of those incidents are reported, and even fewer are confirmed by laboratory tests. The symptoms are typically similar to those that accompany the flu: diarrhea, vomiting, stomach cramps. Many don't bother going to a doctor, and of those that do, lab test costs deter them from asking for food-borne illness tests.

Although most people tend to blame the last meal they ate as the culprit, pathogens that cause food-borne illnesses typically take 24 to 48 hours to cause symptoms. Despite the challenges of pinpointing the cause of your distress, public-health authorities still suggest that you report an illness you attribute to a restaurant meal, but to include not just the last place you ate.

Since 2000, California law has required at least one employee in every restaurant to be certified as a safe food handler. Many restaurants send more than one employee for training and certification.

If you believe your symptoms could be caused by a restaurant meal, call the restaurant so that they can investigate. Be prepared to tell the restaurant exactly what you ate and drank, what time you dined, and whether anyone who ate with you also experienced symptoms.

You also shouldn't expect anything more than a sympathetic hearing, an assurance that the restaurant will review its procedures, and a genuine thank-you for taking the trouble to call - after all, you do not have any proof, and it could just be standard stomach upset from eating too much or eating foods that are richer than normal. But alerting the restaurant could mean the difference between a few people having a tummy ache and a more severe outbreak.

The Herald Salinas Bureau reports that a report by the California Department of Health Services could affect a web of lawsuits and cross-complaints that have been filed in Salinas Valley, following E. coli outbreaks that killed one woman and sickened more than 100 people in California and Washington.

The report states that ready-to-eat produce grown on fields that have been, or could be, flooded should not be sold to the public.

The new recommendations focus primarily on the area's agricultural ditches. Investigators recommend steps that can be taken to prevent water from overflowing from the ditches, which could be contaminated, onto fields with ready-to-eat crops.

The first outbreak occurred in July 2002 at Eastern Washington University in Cheney, Wash., during a drill team and dance camp.

The subsequent outbreaks in September and October 2003 involved customers who dined at Pat & Oscar's, a restaurant chain in Southern California, and residents of a retirement community in San Mateo County.

The lawsuit has involved Sodexho America LLC, Diamond Produce, Pismo Oceano Vegetable Produce, River Ranch Fresh Foods, ComGro, Inc., and the city of Salinas.

A multi-agency study will continue throughout this year in an effort to examine water from the area's agricultural ditches to see what preventative measures can be put in place to reduce the likelihood of contamination.

Recent outbreaks of E. coli and salmonella in the U.S. and Ontario has prompted the British Columbia Centre for Disease Control and the B.C. provincial health officer to remind people to make sure their fruit juices are properly pasteurized.

During an apple harvest there is often an increase in salmonella and E.coli related to unpasteurized juices.

Although most unpasteurized juice is safe, it is usually best to boil unpasteurized juices for at least one minute to make sure that the risks of contamination are guaranteed.

In addition, the BCCDC recommends:

• Avoid serving unpasteurized juice to young children, the elderly and people with weakened immune systems.

• Pay attention to that best-before date, and keep juice refrigerated.

• Don't rely on freezing to make unpasteurized juices safe.

Teresa Bell of KGW News reports that the Deschutes County Public Health Department has confirmed two cases of E. coli infection out of 18 people who have developed similar symptoms after eating at McGrath's Fish House in Bend, Indiana.

Symptoms include severe diarrhea, bloody diarrhea, or inability to keep fluids down.

People who think they may have been infected were cautioned not to take over-the-counter anti-diarrheal agents, such as loperamide or antibiotics, because these medicines may increase the risk of complications.

E. coli produces a powerful toxin and can cause severe illness but it usually resolves in five to 10 days without specific treatment. The infections may be spread from a variety of food products, most commonly undercooked ground beef, unpasteurized milk and apple cider, other foods cross-contaminated with raw beef, and untreated water.

E. coli can also be spread person-to-person, primarily within households. Washing hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds after using the bathroom can help reduce cross-contamination amongst family members.

Christine Metz of The Bulletin reports that Deschutes County Public Health Department is investigating the outbreak of E. coli at McGrath's Fish House in Bend, Indiana.

There are now two lab-confirmed cases of E. coli from diners that ate at the restaurant, as well as 21 suspected cases - 16 diners and 5 restaurant workers.

The employees that show symptoms of E. coli are not working.

Deschutes County Health Administrator Dan Pedddycord is unsure of where the bacteria originated, since a specific food has not been linked to the outbreak.

This is the first reported E. coli outbreak within the McGrath's restaurant chain, which has been operating for 25 years.

The restaurant is cooperating with the health department and has followed all recommendations, including throwing out all food from the time of the outbreak.

About 500 people eat at McGrath's a day.

The Associated Press reports that two children at Red Cross Elementary School have been diagnosed with E. coli poisoning.

Barren County Schools superintendent Jerry Ralston met with faculty and staff at the school, and sent a sheet explaining E. coli home with every student. He also sent a personal letter to each student's family on how to prevent the spread of the bacteria.

It is unclear how the two at Red Cross Elementary came in contact with the bacteria, but the school will intensify its inspections and reviews.

E. coli is spread when bacteria leave the body through the stool of an infected person and enter another when hands, food or objects such as toys contaminated by touching are placed in the mouth.

"We're going to make sure we incorporate (health department) precautions," said Ralston. "We're going to make sure students are washing their hands and do some extra cleaning."

WRAL News reports that three-year-old Aedin Gray was hospitalized after being one of about 100 children who contracted E. coli at the N.C. State Fair's petting zoo last year.

This year, she is doing much better, but is still suffering from the conditions caused by the E. coli infection and resultant hemolytic uremic syndrome.

Aedin's medical condition has been complicated by diabetes. She wears an insulin pump and her blood sugar must be checked throughout the day. She may also need a kidney transplant some day.

With Aedin on the road to recovery, the Grays were able to have a new state law approved - called Aiden's Law - that may help prevent future outbreaks. The new law includes the posting of warning signs and handwashing stations.

Jennifer Kern of the Forest Lake Times reports that a Minnesota woman who had planned to attend her niece's wedding in Wisconsin ended up spending that time a the Fairview Hospital instead as a result of E. coli poisoning from eating a bagged salad from Dole.

Gail Rychlicki is one of 23 people in the Twin Cities who have been confirmed to have contracted E.coli after consuming Dole prewashed salad mixes.

Her case was so severe in fact, she underwent a colonoscopy and had to stay in the hospital for five days.

Looking back on the experience, Rychlicki says she is going to be much more selective when it comes to lettuce preparation.

Produce News reports that for the first time, a lab has found E. coli O157:H7 in two bags of prepackaged lettuce in connection to the Dole lettuce recall.

In Minnesota, 23 people have become sick because of the E. coli outbreak linked to the bagged salads.

Dole says that the prewashed, prepackaged salads do not need to be washed before serving, and the Food & Drug Administration agreed.

The Minnesota Department of Agriculture is working with FDA and the California Department of Food and Agriculture to find out how the bacteria got into the lettuce.

Chick Jacobs of the Fayetteville Observer reports that a grouping of portable wash stands, each slathered with a blizzard of reminders to wash hands thoroughly, separate the petting zoo from concession stand at the North Carolina State Fair - a reminder of last year's outbreak that sickened over 100 children.

In addition, animals and children are separated by a carnival-colored, but very official, fence. Visitors can look, touch, and feed the animals - but are no longer allowed to walk amongst them as in years past.

Other state fairs across the country have followed suit, or have done away with petting zoos altogether in an attempt to prevent any potential for lawsuits.

North Carolina, Pennsylvania and Oregon are the first states to create guidelines for petting-zoo sanitation and safety.

A food safety assessment, triggered by an epidemiological investigation, has resulted in a recall of several kinds of chopped meat products from Flanders Provision Company.

Approximately 900,000 pounds of frozen beef patties have been recalled nationwide.

The recalled items are:
• Three pound packages of "Flanders Bun Buster, 100% Beef Burgers"
• Five pound packages of "Flanders Bun Buster, 100% Beef Burgers"
• Five pound packages of "Flanders Beef Patties"
• Ten pound packages of "Flanders Beef Patties"
• Ten pound packages of "Flanders Homestyle Cubed Beef Patties"
• Ten pound packages of "Flanders Patty Mix"
• Five pound packages of "Value Time Beef Patties"
• Five pound packages of "Grill Master Beef Patties"

The Food Safety and Inspection Service is working with Flanders on the recall.

Wales on Sunday reports that the funeral of the five-year-old victim of Wales' E.coli food poisoning outbreak will take place in his home town tomorrow.

Family and friends of Mason Jones will gather to say their last goodbyes to the tragic youngster, who fought for his life for two weeks in intensive care when his E. coli infection turned into kidney failure.

The number of cases of E.coli now stand at a total of 161 people, mostly children, affecting 42 schools.

The outbreak was likely to be caused by somebody handling cooked meats after touching raw meat, or not cleaning a piece of equipment properly.

Tim Boyum at News 14 reports that the North Carolina State Fair's petting zoo is back, a year after more than 100 people were infected with E. coli.

There are some new significant changes to the petting zoo this year, to keep the possibility of infection to a minimum, if any.

Fences now separate animals from visitors, and there are a lot more handwashing stations. More than 200 colorful signs remind visitors to use the stations as well.

There is also now only one way into the zoo and one way out, so personnel can keep an eye on visitors.

Durham Region's Health Department is investigating a fourth case of E.coli 0157:H7 linked to the consumption of cider purchased at Tyrone Mills.

The health department is warning against consumption of apple or apple-pear cider from Tyrone Mills or Watson Farms, purchased within the last three weeks, since they may be contaminated with E. coli.

Watson Farms had apples pressed at Tyrone Mills and so might be contaminated as well.

The Ontario Health Department recommends using only juice and cider products with a label indicating products have been pasteurized.

Unpasteurized juices or cider should be boiled for at least one minute, and kept refridgerated.

E. coli infection symptoms can occur within two to 10 days of consuming contaminated products, and include stomach cramps, vomiting, fever and diarrhea.

The Staten Island Advance reports that two-year-old Joshua Salamanca of West Brighton has been hospitalized since October 2nd, where his condition has been found to not be E. coli infection, but a more serious but not contagious condition called hemolytic uremic syndrome.

HUS is a disorder in which red blood cells become damaged or destroyed, causing anemia and the kidney becomes damaged.

HUS is most often caused by E. coli, but because Joshua tested negative for E. coli, he falls into the minority of HUS cases that stem from different causes, like an infection or a complication related to antibiotics.

The boy's mother had been concerned that her son had contracted HUS via E. coli at his day care center, but investigations showed no E. coli anywhere there.

Some HUS cases are ideopathic, which means they have no identifiable cause.

Marler Clark has filed a lawsuit against The Dole Company, Inc., on behalf of Leonard and Carol Tvedten of Fairmont, Minnesota. Jardine, Logan, and O'Brien, a respected Minnesota law firm, also represents the Tvedten's.

Carol Tvedten fell ill with gastrointestinal symptoms in mid-September after eating pre-washed Dole brand salad at home with her husband. Leonard Tvedten also fell ill, but did not require hospitalization.

Tests confirmed that the strain of E. coli that had infected Carole Tvedten was precisely the same as the strain that health officials cultured from Dole lettuce samples that were the subject of a nationwide recall.

The Brainerd Dispatch says two reported cases of E. coli infections believed to have stricken two young children in the Brainerd lakes area have led to serious medical complications.

An E. coli outbreak is not suspected, and no links have been made between the two cases.

Both cases have progressed to hemolytic uremic syndrome, or HUS.

Hemolytic uremic syndrome occurs when the red blood cells are destroyed and the kidneys fail. Most cases of acute kidney failure in children are caused by hemolytic uremic syndrome and most cases of this syndrome are caused by E. coli infections.

While one case of hemolytic uremic syndrome has been confirmed as being caused by the E. coli 0157:H7 strain, the results are not yet in about the second case.

There have been 17 cases of hemolytic uremic syndrome reported in Minnesota this year and most cases have been caused by E. coli infections.

University of North Carolina news reports that this year, the North Carolina State Fair will be enforcing stricter hygiene standards at its petting zoo to avoid last year's outbreak of E. coli, which affected 108 visitors.

Last year, people were permitted to walk into the animals' pens, which brought children into contact with animal bedding and waste. This year, visitors will have to pet the animals through a fence.

No strollers, baby bottles, sippy cups, pacifiers or food will be allowed inside the zoo.

R.W. Commerford and Sons, the company that ran the petting zoo last year and will return again this year, said there would be two wash stations at the petting zoo's exit and a sound system to remind visitors to observe basic precautions.

In addition, signs posted outside and inside the tent will explain basic hygienic precautions in both English and Spanish.

Zoo employees will also be washing the animals daily and bedding will be stripped and thrown away.

At least 23 Minnesotans have become ill with E. coli O157:H7 infections after eating bagged, pre-washed lettuce. At least 245,000 bags of lettuce were recalled for potential E. coli contamination nationwide, and some of the recalled lettuce was found to be contaminated with the same E. coli that sickened the 23 Minnesotans. E. coli attorney William Marler asks, "Is the convenience worth the risk?" What more needs to be done to prevent future outbreaks?

(PRWEB) October 10, 2005 -- With at least 23 people in Minnesota sickened with the deadly E. coli O157:H7 bacterium, 8 of them hospitalized, and 1 child developing acute kidney failure, all from apparently eating bagged, "pre-washed" lettuce, one needs to ask if the convenience is worth the risk? According to the FDA, more than 245,000 bags of lettuce might be affected nationwide. An alert and recall has been launched. Some of the recalled lettuce has been found to be contaminated with the same E. coli that has sickened the 23 Minnesotans. Is the convenience worth the risk? What more needs to be done?

Residents in Durham, Ontario, are being warned not to consume unpasteurized apple products from a second local farm, after three cases of E. coli that may be linked to the beverage.

Apple or apple pear cider from both Watson Farms and Tyrone Mills purchased within the last two weeks may be contaminated with the bacteria.

There are three cases that have been linked to the consumption of unpasteurized cider from Tyrone Mills. Watson Farms also had cider pressed at Tyrone Mills during the affected time period.

Unpasteurized fruit juices and cider products have been linked to E. coli 0157:H7, a dangerous strain of E. coli that can cause serious illness or death. The Health Department recommends purchasing only pasteurized juices or ciders.

People who purchased cider from either source are to call the health department.

KING5.com reports that Fourteen people have become ill at Robinswood Pointe Assisted Living in Bellevue, Washington.

One of the residents has died.

Four people who became ill have tested positive for E.coli.

So far this year, 32 cases of E.coli have been reported to the state, which is consistent with the average number of cases at this point during the year, including 4 cases at an Olive Garden restaurant in Federal Way and others in unrelated cases.

With at least 23 people in Minnesota sickened with the deadly E. coli O157:H7 bacteria, 8 of them hospitalized and 1 child developing acute kidney failure, all from apparently eating bagged, "pre-washed" lettuce, one needs to ask if the convenience is worth the risk? According to the FDA, more that 245,000 bags of lettuce might be affected nationwide. An alert and recall has been launched. Some of the recalled lettuce has been found to be contaminated with the same E. coli that has sickened the 23 Minnesotans. Is the convenience worth the risk? What more need to be done?

As maintained in a recent article in the Salinas Californian, 23 percent of all salads in the United States are bagged and in 2004 bagged lettuce reached $4 billion in sales. This, despite numerous outbreaks traced to E. coli-contaminated produce in the last few years.

In October 2003, 13 residents of a California retirement center were sickened and 2 died after eating E. coli-contaminated "pre-washed" spinach. In September 2003, nearly 40 patrons of a California restaurant chain became ill after eating salads prepared with bagged, "pre-washed" lettuce. In July 2002, over 50 young women were stricken with E. coli at a dance camp after eating "pre-washed" lettuce, leaving several hospitalized, and 1 with life-long kidney damage. The Center for Science in the Public Interest found that of 225 food-poisoning outbreaks from 1990 to 1998, nearly 20 percent (55 outbreaks) were linked to fresh fruits, vegetables or salads.

What about bagged, "pre-washed" lettuce and other fresh fruits and vegetables? Is "pre-washing" enough? Has this $4 billion industry done enough to protect consumers? Should consumers wash again the "pre-washed" product? Perhaps, however, in a study published in the January 2002 journal of Applied and Environmental Microbiology, washing lettuce, no matter how often may not make the product safe. The study found it possible that lettuce can be contaminated "through transport of the pathogen into the plant by the root system."

So, what should consumers do to protect themselves? What can the industry do to protect its customers? Research, more research -- we need to find a way to make sure pathogenic E. coli stays out of products that are not cooked before eaten -- like salads. We need to know is washing (repeatedly) is enough, or if other, more invasive procedures are necessary. Is the convenience worth the risk? Research should tell us.

Valerie Miller of the Las Vegas Business Press reports that Nevada Burger King restaurants may soon be allowed to reheat food at lower temperatures, despite concerns over past outbreaks of food-borne illnesses.

If approved, the fast-food chain will be able to reduce the reheating temperature for Burger King's pre-cooked Chicken Whopper patties and Angus Burger patties from the state's required 165 degrees to 140 degrees. The lower temperature still would meet minimum federal standards.

Federal food temperature standards were ushered in after the Jack in the Box restaurant E. coli scare in 1993, in Washington state. The deadly bacteria killed four customers who consumed undercooked beef patties, and media coverage of the outbreak nearly destroyed the fast food chain.

Restaurant food safety consultant and former CDC employee Frank Bryan, who runs Food Safety Consulting and Training near Atlanta, sees problems arising out of the lower-temperature scenario. Heating meats and poultry to 165 degrees kills bacteria in as little as three seconds. By contrast, food heated at 140 degrees must be maintained at that temperature for at least 12-15 minutes to destroy the bacteria - which may not work for fast-food restaurants.

The request has been placed on the state Board of Health's consent agenda and its success could be a sign of bigger changes in Nevada's food codes.

Another fast food chain, California-based Carl's Jr., is not planning to follow in Burger King's footsteps in Nevada.

Health experts in South Wales have closed a primary school after discovering evidence that a child has contracted the E.coli bug.

All 97 pupils at Glenboi Primary School, in Rhondda Cynon Taf, had been told the school will be closed on Friday and are now being checked to find who has contracted the illness.

This is the first time authorities have closed any of the dozens of affected schools.

The Toledo Blade reports that The outbreak of E. coli bacteria in Toledo that sickened 14 people appears to have been from contaminated beef.

13 of those who got sick have recovered. An elderly woman from Lucas County died, but investigators are trying to determine whether pre-existing health problems caused her death.

Health officials suspect a Toledo catering company, or a supplier to the company in question, might be the source of the outbreak.

In addition to an Ohio Department of Health epidemiologist, the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has two epidemiologists and a medical student aiding in the investigation.

An outbreak of E. coli in Lucas County has sickened at least 14 people.

The health department has called in the Centers for Disease Control to investigate the outbreak.

The Lucas County health commissioner says several people became severely ill about a month ago after eating food at a four different events, and that one death may be linked to the outbreak.

Health investigators are looking at several caterers who served food at the four events, as well as any vendors that provided products to the caterers.

The Toledo-Lucas County Health Department reports it is investigating an outbreak of E-coli that may have infected at least 14 people.

The local health department is conducting what it calls a "confidential" case review along with the Ohio Departent of Health and the Centers for Disease Control.

It has not been revealed which eating or food facilties are involved.

The Salinas Californian reports that investigators are working to find out whether E. coli bacteria that ended up in Dole-brand salads in Minnesota can be traced back to production in the Salinas Valley.

The matter also is under investigation by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the California state Departments of Health, and the trail might lead back to the Salinas Valley, where the lettuce was grown.

Contamination of lettuce and spinach grown in the Salinas area also has been blamed in three other major food-illness outbreaks since 2002 that killed one elderly woman and sickened at least 114 other people.

Even though the lettuce was grown in Salinas, it could have been packaged either at the Dole plant in Soledad or at a packing plant in Ohio before being shipped to Minnesota.

About 23 percent of all salads in the United States today are made from bagged lettuce.

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports that a national alert to throw away salad mixes linked to an E. coli outbreak in the Midwest has raised questions about the safety of pre-washed salads.

Packaged spinach and lettuce mixes have been tied to several E. coli 0157:H7 outbreaks in recent years. Earlier this week, the FDA issued a national warning against eating three kinds of Dole salad blends that have been linked to a September outbreak. At least 13 people have been sickened in Minnesota and Wisconsin; four were hospitalized and released.

Other packaged salads have been linked in the past few years to outbreaks in restaurants, a nursing home and at a cheerleading camp.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration as well as the produce industry say that pre-washed salads can be eaten without further washing. Some food safety experts urge consumers to wash anyway, but caution that it may not eliminate bacteria.

Bacteria that cause food-borne illness can be destroyed by cooking, but most salads are served raw. That makes the cleanliness of the product even more important.

Researchers at the Center for Food Safety in Griffin have performed experiments with lettuce contaminated with high doses of salmonella or E. coli bacteria, washing it with chlorinated water. It removed only a small amount of the bacteria.

The FDA and the Minnesota Department of Health are looking for the source of the outbreak.

The Associated Press reports that the Food and Drug Administration is warning people not to eat certain Dole pre-packaged salads that have been connected to an outbreak of E. coli infections in Minnesota.

Although illnesses have all been associated with Dole salads bought at Rainbow Foods grocery store outlets in Minnesota only, salads carrying the same production codes have been distributed nationwide.

At least 11 people have been sickened by a specific type of E. coli that have been connected to the products. Two have been hospitalized.

The affected Dole products are:

• Classic Romaine, with a "best-if-used-by" date of Sept. 23, 2005 and a production code beginning with "B250."

• American Blend, with a "best-if-used-by" date of Sept. 23, 2005 and a production code beginning with "B250."

• Greener Selection, with a "best-if-used-by" date of Sept. 22, 2005, and a production code beginning with "B250."

Dole Food Co. has issued a recall for the affected salad products.