Food Poisoning Law Blog : Food Poisoning Lawyer & Attorney : PritzkerLaw : Food Safety, Outbreaks & Recalls

The Ambassador E. coli restaurant outbreak in Houghton, Michigan, may include more than the seven case patients already confirmed. Health officials in the Upper Peninsula are urging any families to report illnesses suffered by customers of the restaurant since December.

The reason others may have been infected is that the outbreak has been traced to an ill food worker who spread E. coli O157:H7 bacteria to diners. So far, authorities know of four people who were hospitalized with the outbreak strain of E. coli after eating at The Ambassador around Christmas time.

E. coli-infected people need to be isolated from school or work because they can shed the organism in their stool even when they are not showing symptoms of illness. Specific guidelines regarding return to work or school may vary depending on individual parameters; consultations with the local or state health department are recommended.

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The E. coli O157:H7 strain discovered in environmental samples taken from Cozy Vale Creamery matches the strain that has sickened three people, including 2 children, according to a Washington State Department of Agriculture official.

On November 23, the Tenino, Washington-based diary issued a recall of raw milk products after routine tests by the agriculture department found E.coli O157:H7 in the milking parlor and processing areas of the dairy.

During the last three months, three Cozy Vale customers have contracted E. coli O157:H7 infections, but E. coli was never discovered in routine testing of the milk. 

Symptoms of E.coli poisoning include severe stomach cramps, diarrhea that is often bloody and vomiting. Some infections are mild, but others are severe or even life-threatening. Children are among those who are especially at risk. In some cases, they can develop a potentially life-threatening complication known as hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) which causes kidney failure.

The recalled raw milk products include raw whole milk, raw skim milk and raw cream with “best if used by” dates up to and including December 6. The milk and cream were sold in pint, quart, half-gallon and gallon containers were sold at the on-farm store at 7018 Churchill Road, and at the following locations:

Marlene’s Market, 2951 S. 38th St., Tacoma, WA
Marlene’s Market, 2565 S. Gateway Center Pl., Federal Way, WA
Mt. Community Co-op, 105 Carter St., Eatonville WA
Olympia Food Co-op, 3111, Pacific Ave., Olympia, WA
Olympia Food Co-op, 921 Rogers, Olympia, WA
Olympia Local Foods, 2442 Mottman Rd S.W., Turnwater, WA
Yelm Co-op, 404 1st St., Yelm, WA

Contact our law firm for a free consultation.

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Raw milk products produced by Organic Pastures of Fresno County, California are the subject of a recall and quarantine order announced by California State Veterinarian Dr. Annette Whiteford.

Under the recall, all Organic Pastures raw dairy products with the exception of cheese aged a minimum of 60 days are to be pulled immediately from retail shelves and consumers are strongly urged to dispose of any products remaining in their refrigerators. Until further notice, Organic Pastures may not produce raw milk products for the retail market. The order also affects Organic Pastures raw butter, raw cream, raw colostrum, and a raw product labeled “Qephor.”

The quarantine order came following a notification from the California Department of Public Health of a cluster of five children who were infected, from August through October, with the same strain of E. coli O157:H7. These children are residents of Contra Costa, Kings, Sacramento, and San Diego counties. Interviews with the families indicate that the only common reported food exposure is unpasteurized (raw) milk from Organic Pastures dairy. Three of the five children were hospitalized with hemolytic uremic syndrome, a serious condition that may lead to kidney failure. There have been no deaths.

Evidence Implicating Organic Pastures

While laboratory samples of Organic Pastures raw milk have not detected E. coli 0157:H7 contamination, epidemiologic data collected by the California Department of Public Health link the illnesses with Organic Pastures raw milk. Surveys indicate that only about three percent of the public report drinking raw milk in any given week so finding 100% of these children drank raw milk and the absence of other common foods or animal exposures indicates the Organic Pastures raw milk is the likely source of their infection.This is epidemiological evidence that can be used in a lawsuit against Organic Pastures to recover medical expenses, lost income and compensation for pain and suffering.

Contact Attorney Fred Pritzker and his E. coli litigation team for a free consultation.

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The St. Louis area E. coli O157:H7 outbreak has been linked to Schnucks because a statistically high number of the outbreak victims ate food purchased at a Schnucks salad bar prior to illness. The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) is leading a team of local, federal, and state public health experts in investigating the cause of the E. coli outbreak.  The investigation involves laboratory analysis, environmental sampling and interviews of reported cases.  This information is then combined to determine the possible cause(s) of the outbreak.

DHSS added two new cases based on lab results from specimens submitted to the State Public Health Laboratory last week.  The two cases have the same E. coli O157:H7 fingerprint as that observed in the outbreak.  One of the specimens is from a person in Boone County.  That case is being added to the count because the individual 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.

As indicated above, DHSS has tested 55 food samples in its search for the source of the outbreak. All of the samples have come back negative so far. This does not mean the E. coli victims do not have legal rights against Schnucks.

A few days ago, the FDA, working with DHSS, began to inspect facilities of distributors and/or producers located outside of Missouri.  If the outbreak strain of E. coli O157:H7 is found at a distributor's plant facility, both Schnucks and the distributor may be held liable for the illnesses suffered by the E. coli vicitms.

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As the E. coli outbreak in the St. Louis area continues to grow, the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (MDHSS) is partnering with the CDC and FDA to find the food source. This is what MDHSS has reported to date:

1. Number of people sickened in the outbreak: There are 26 confirmed and 25 suspected. Testing continues.
2. Schnucks salad bar connection: To date, investigators have discovered that 85% of patients (17 of 20) who reported shopping at Schnuck's stores also reported obtaining food from the salad bar.
3. Foods that have been tested or are now being tested: Initially the focus was on lettuce, strawberries and Caesar salad dressing from Schnucks salad bars in the St. Louis area, but additional food samples from 5 Schnucks stores are now being tested, including Bistro Salad Dressing, broccoli florets, deviled eggs, diced hard boiled eggs, honey Dijon dressing, Italian dressing, pineapple chunks, red wine vinaigrette, shredded carrots, shredded radishes, shredded zucchini, sliced red onions, and the following packaged salads that included salad bar ingredients:  Bistro Chopped Salad, Fresco House Salad, Fried Chicken Salad, Garden Salad, Italian Salad, and Turkey Cobb Salad.
4. Negative E. coli tests: The Missouri State Lab has tested 17 food samples taken from individuals' homes and local Schnuck's salad bars, all of which were found not to contain E. coli or shiga toxin, its harmful byproduct. These samples included two strawberries retrieved from sick individuals' homes.  The remaining samples consist of lettuce, strawberries, and Caesar dressing taken from several Schnuck's stores in the region. 
5. Case study and call center: The CDC will conduct a case control study to compare what the people who became ill ate with what was consumed by individuals that did not become ill.  This will enhance efforts to identify food(s) which may be the source of the E. coli.  The CDC is setting up a call center to contact residents in neighborhoods where patients have been identified using random digit dialing.
6. Investigation of distribution chain: Yesterday, inspectors from the FDA arrived in St. Louis to assist in the inspection of facilities that may have been part of the distribution chain.

Our E. coli lawyers have been contacted by victims of this outbreak and their families and are investigating a lawsuit against Schnucks for medical expenses, pain and suffering, lost wages and other damages. Contact our attorneys for a free consultation.

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The N.C. Division of Public Health is now investigating 30 cases (up from 27 yesterday) related to the North Carolina State Fair E. coli outbreak. Twelve cases are confirmed E. coli cases; 18 cases are still being investigated.

The latest numbers and counties involved include:

Wake - 13
Sampson - 7
Cleveland - 1
Durham - 3
Johnston - 1
Lenoir - 1
Orange - 2
Wilson – 2

The North Carolina State Fair ran from October 13 to the 23rd. The incubation period for E. coli can be as long as 10 days, so there will probably be few if any new cases of E. coli.

The N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services is responsible for the operation of the North Carolina State Fair in Raleigh.  Contact our attorneys for information regarding whom E. coli victims can sue for compensation.

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Health officials in Raleigh, North Carolina, worked through the weekend identifying more cases of E. coli infection associated with the 2011 NC State Fair. The latest results show that two people from as far east as Wilson County have been affected. 

Of the 24 cases related to the NC State Fair E. coli outbreak, nine have been confirmed and 15 are still being investigated. Here are the latest numbers and counties involved according to the North Carolina Public Health Division. 

• Wake - 11 
• Sampson - 7 
• Cleveland - 1 
• Durham - 1 
• Johnston - 1 
• Orange - 1 
• Wilson – 2 

So far, five people have been hospitalized and three people have suffered kidney failure, the first major symptom of a complication known as hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). Investigators have a lot of ground to cover because of all the food stands and animal exhibits at the Fair. They have launched a full scale epidemiological study to narrow down the possibilities of where the outbreak started.

If you or a loved one has recently experienced symptoms of E. coli infection, visit your health care provider immediately.  For answers to legal questions about claims against the State Fair and its vendors, call national food safety law firm PritzkerOlsen, P.A., at 1-888-377-8900 (Toll Free) or leave your contact information online and a lawyer from the firm will call you.

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National food safety lawyer Fred Pritzker is investigating an E. coli outbreak associated with the North Carolina State Fair that continues to grow. To date, over 20 people have been sickened, most of them children. North Carolina counties with E. coli victims include: Cleveland, Durham, Franklin, Johnston, Sampson and Wake counties.

Several children have developed a severe complication of an E. coli infection called hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), the leading cause of kidney failure in children in the United States. Children with HUS are generally hospitalized for weeks or months and many require future kidney transplants.

An epidemiological investigation into the source of the outbreak found that most of the people sickened attended the North Carolina State Fair before becoming ill. State and local health officials are investigating the possible source of the outbreak. In 2004, an E. coli outbreak linked to petting zoo at the North Carolina State Fair sickened 108 people. Fifteen of those patients developed HUS.

In this outbreak, though, some of the E. coli victims did not visit the petting zoo or touch animals. If food served at the fair was the source of the outbreak, it was probably something that was improperly cooked or something that is not cooked on site, like ice cream.

National food safety law firm PritzkerOlsen, P.A., is accepting cases for a possible E. coli lawsuit. Our E. coli lawyers currently represents E. coli victims and is one of the very few law firms in the country practicing extensively in the area of foodborne illness litigation. Free case consultations are available at 1-888-377-8900 (Toll Free) or submit your contact information online and an attorney will call you.

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Fruits and vegetables are the foundation of a healthy diet, but, like all foods, they carry a risk of foodborne illness. Harmful bacteria in the soil or water can contaminate produce where it grows. Or, fresh produce may become contaminated after it is harvested, during packing, storage or preparation. Eating contaminated produce can cause serious illness as Lindsay Schuessler, a 25-year-old elementary school teacher, discovered this week.

Schuessler was released from Mercy Hospital in Creve Coeur on October 27 after being admitted over the weekend with an E. coli infection. Health officials who interviewed Schuessler about what she had eaten in the past seven to 10 days focused on fruits and vegetables, she told the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. When county health officials visited her University City home, they removed some produce including strawberries and blueberries that she had purchased from the Schnucks grocery store at Ladue Road and Interstate 170, she told the paper.

Schuessler prepared and ate a salad from items she purchased from the store on October 16 and ate more produce including prepackaged salad throughout the week. The onset of illness was sudden and intense and left Schuessler weakened and exhausted, she said in the article. Her boyfriend, who did not eat the produce, did not get sick. "I try to eat so healthy, and I'm the one who got sick," she said in the story.

During the last month, four companies have announced recalls on salad greens. Over the summer, a papaya Salmonella outbreak sickened more than 100 people, 15 people got E. coli poisoning after eating strawberries and 20 people got Salmonellosis from cantaloupe. And the ongoing cantaloupe Listeria outbreak has sickened 133 people and killed 28 and caused one miscarriage.

The source of this E. coli outbreak has not been determined, but health officials urge anyone in St. Louis County with symptoms of an E. coli infcetion to contact a health provider. Symptoms include severe abdominal pain, bloody diarrhea, nausea and sometimes a fever. Complications of E. coli include hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) or TTP HUS, thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura, which can cause kidney failure, stroke, heart attacks, and brain injuries. And even a person with a mild case of E. coli can be at long-term risk for hypertension and kidney problems.

National food safety law firm PritzkerOlsen, P.A., is investigating the St. Louis outbreak. Our legal group currently represents E. coli victims and is one of the very few law firms in the country practicing extensively in the area of foodborne illness litigation. Free case consultations are available at 1-888-377-8900 (Toll Free) or submit your contact information online and an attorney will call you.

Source: http://www.stltoday.com/lifestyles/health-med-fit/fitness/article_3d050caf-9619-5b57-97cc-b1c682c01c67.html#ixzz1c5Dh7QAY

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A North Carolina State Fair E. coli investigation is under way by state and county officials who have confirmed that seven children and two adults have been sickened by E. coli over the same time period. Three of the children remain hospitalized, fighting kidney failure and other symptoms of hemolytic uremic syndrome, or HUS. E. coli HUS is a life-threatening complication of toxic E. coli poisoning that happens most often in children under age 5.

Wake County and North Carolina state health officials are now investigating what food or animals at the fair may have caused the outbreak. Eight of the nine case patients attended the event. In 2004, an E. coli outbreak at the North Carolina State Fairr was linked to an animal exhibit. In that case, 108 people were sickened and litigation is still pending.

In the current outbreak, seven individuals are from Raleigh and the rest of Wake County. The eighth and ninth confirmed cases were from outside Wake County – an infected adult in Johnston County and an infected child in Cleveland County.

Investigators also are looking into the possibility of more E. coli illnesses potentially linked to the fair. If you or a loved one has recently experienced bloody diarrhea or other E. coli symptoms, see your health care provider. Make sure to request a stool sample. For answers to legal questions about compensation for present and future harms,  call national food safety law firm PritzkerOlsen, P.A. at 1-888-377-8900 (Toll Free) or leave your contact information and an attorney will call you.

Source: WakeGov.com; WRAL-TV

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Abe Lincoln Elementary School in Wisconsin's Monroe School District is the focus of a public health investigation over two child E. coli O157:H7 cases. Investigators want to know if the latest illnesses are associated with a cluster of E. coli O157:H7 cases that occurred elsewhere in the area in August and early September.

Green County Health Department and Wisconsin Division of Public Health are interviewing families to try to identify possible sources of these E. coli infections. Two children have been hospitalized and area health care providers have been alerted to watch for other cases of E. coli in Green County. Pending lab tests will reveal what strain of E. coli is at work in the most recent illnesses and whether it matches, genetically, the previous cluster, which reportedly included the death of a child at UW Madison hospital who contracted E. coli HUS, or hemolytic uremic syndrome.

PritzkerOlsen, P.A., is a national food safety law firm that has won tens of millions of dollars for E. coli victims nationwide. We also are investigating the outbreak in the area around Monroe, Wisconsin. If you believe someone in your family has been infected, see a physician immediately. A free case consultation with PritzkerOlsen is available at 1-888-377-8900 (toll free) or leave your contact information and an experienced E. coli lawyer from our firm will call.

 People who are infected with E. coli are very contagious. The highest incidence of illness from Shiga toxin-producing  E. coli is in children under 5 years of age. Most people infected with E. coli O157:H7 develop diarrhea (often bloody) and abdominal cramps 2-8 days (3-4 days, on average) after swallowing the organism, but some illnesses last longer and are more severe. Infection is usually diagnosed by stool sample culture. E. coli HUS, on average, develops in 5 to 15 percent of case patients. Kidney failure occurs in these instances just as initial symptoms begin to clear. Many other complications can follow and HUS patients can face a lifetime of special medical risks and issues that should be compensated by the parties responsible for allowing the pathogen into our food supply.

Media source: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel  

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Pride & Joy Creamery, LLC of Granger, Washington, has issued a recall of raw milk because testing of the raw milk by the Washington Department of Agriculture (WSDA) discovered that the product was contaminated with Shiga-toxin-producing E. coli.

WSDA and other public health officials are exploring the possibility that there has been human illness linked to this milk.

The recalled milk is sold only in gallon, half gallon and quart containers and bears the expiration dates of 9/30/2011 and 9/31/11. It was sold from an on-farm store at 2145 Liberty Road in Granger, WA and from the following retail outlets in King, Pierce, Snohomish and Skagit counties:

• Sno-isle
, 2804 Grand Avenue
, Everett, WA 98201
• Truhealth
,18001 Bothell-Everett
, Suite 109
,Bothell, WA 98012
• Marlenes Market
,2951 S. 38th ST.
Tacoma, WA 98409
• Marlenes Market,
 2565 s. Gateway Center Place
Federal Way, WA 98003
• Skagit Valley Food,
 202 S. 1st Street
Mt. Vernon, WA 98273
• Manna Mills,
 21705 66th Ave, West
Mountlake Terrace, WA 98043
• Madison Market
,1600 Madison
Seattle, WA 98122
•  Nature’s Market, 
26011 104th Ave, SE
Kent, WA 98030
• Sunshine Corner, Nutrition
15220 SE 272th, Suite F
Kent, WA 98042

E.coli infections can severe diarrhea, stomach cramps and bloody stool. Symptoms generally appear three to four days after exposure, but can take as long as nine days to appear. Health officials are recommending that anyone experiencing these symptoms contact a health care provider. Hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), is a serious complication of E. coli poisoning in which red blood cells are destroyed and the kidneys fail. Infants, children, pregnant women, the elderly and those with compromised immune systems are especially at risk.

 Source: http://agr.wa.gov/News/2011/pridejoycreameryrecall.aspx

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The federal government's expanded ban against six more types of toxic E. coli will undoubtedly save lives and prevent serious illness by further cleaning up the nation's supply of ground beef.

The new rule to be imposed in steps by the U.S. Department of Agriculture applies to the so-called Big Six -- a half-dozen types of non-O157:H7 E. coli  strains that emit powerful Shiga toxins that can lead to kidney failure, stroke, seizures, vascular injury, pancreatitis, central nervous system damage and brain injury. HUS, or hemolytic uremic syndrome, is the most serious complication of toxic E. coli infection

"Eating a hamburger should not be a high-risk activity,'' said Fred Pritzker, founder and president of PritzkerOlsen, P.A., a firm that has collected tens of millions of dollars over the years for victims of E. coli infection and HUS.

Under the change, E. coli O26, O45, O113, O111, O121 and O145 are added to the currently banned E. coli. O157:H7. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that Shiga toxin-producing E. coli O157:H7 is responsible for 63,153 foodborne illnesses and 20 deaths each year in the U.S. At the same time the CDC noted that in 2010 illnesses caused by all of the other pathogenic forms of E. coli caused more illnesses than E. coli O157:H7.

From a legal perspective, the new rule will provide crucial protection in court for victims of ground beef E. coli outbreaks. Under the rule, it will be illegal to sell raw meat to the public if its contains any of the Big Six types of E. coli.  The so-called "adulterant'' status imparts strict liability on purveyors and leaves no room for excuses from meatpackers and others in the supply chain. The USDA ban holds them more accountable for tainted ground beef.

Pritzker and other food safety experts see the ban as a powerful deterrent because producers now will have to test for the additional pathogens. If meat tests positive for any of the bacteria, companies are allowed to divert it into cooked products because proper heat treatment kills the bugs.

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A seven-year-old girl who had been sent home from a hospital four times, required an emergency blood transfusion by the time doctors correctly diagnosed that she was suffering from E. coli poisoning, according to a story in the Shields Gazette.

“I was made to feel like I was being a silly parent. I felt like they didn’t believe me,” said Sarah Coulson, the girls’s mother. “I’m angry and I can’t stop thinking about it. We could have put her to bed and she might not have woken up. It was only my husband making me take her to hospital that meant she got the treatment she needed.”

"Failure to diagnose an E. coli infection can lead to serious harm, including severe dehydration, hypertension, colitis and kidney failure," said food safety attorney Fred Pritzker. "That this young girl was sent home four times is unconscionable."

When the Coulsons first brought their daughter to the hospital in South Tyneside, England, they were sent home with a prescription of rehydration salts.  After their daughter became sicker, they returned and were again sent home. The next day they brought her back and doctors took samples performed and examination and sent her home again with a directive to drink more water. Later, a pediatrician performed another examination, and sent them home again, according to the story.

The Coulsons then decided to seek another opinion and brought their daughter to the Royal Victoria Infirmary where she was admitted immediately to the intensive care unit and spent two days receiving treatment, including a blood transfusion.

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The lake at Cowans Gap State Park reopened for boating and fishing today after a two-week closure. The lake was closed to all water activities two weeks ago amid reports of E. coli illnesses associated with swimming in the lake.

Although the Cowans Gap E. coli outbreak has not definitively been linked to the lake, it was closed as a precautionary measure and still remains closed to swimming and wading. 

So far, 14 cases of E. coli O157:H7 — 11 from Pennsylvania and three from Maryland — have been reported. All of them swam in the 42-acre lake between July 12 and July 31 and became ill a short time later.

Symptoms of an E. coli poisoning contamination include stomach cramping, vomiting and bloody diarrhea. In severe cases, including several of the children involved in this outbreak, a complication called hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) can develop. In addition to E. coli kidney failure, HUS can cause severe seizures, strokes, heart failure, hypertension, pancreatitis and other life-threatening medical problems.

Water in Pennsylvania state park lakes and pools is tested twice weekly during the season. Since the closure, the park has added a third test each week and all results have been within the normal range, officials said. To pinpoint the source of the outbreak, officials are testing samples from the lake, drinking water, sewer systems, rest rooms and concession stands. Outside food vendors also are being tested. Health officials recommend that people who have visited the park and become ill contact their health care providers.
 

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A boil water advisory put into effect Friday, August 19, after E. coli bacteria was found in a well at Cowans Gap State Park in Pennsylvania has been lifted. Drinking water samples taken from the well have all come back with good results, park officials said Monday.

The E. coli bacteria found in the well was not the same strain that has apparently sickened at least 14 people who swam in the 42-acre lake between July 12 and July 31.

Some of the victims are children who contracted E. coli infections and then developed kidney failure (renal failure) from a complication of E. coli called hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). In addition to kidney failure, HUS can cause severe seizures, strokes, heart failure, hypertension, pancreatitis and other life-threatening medical problems.

Although some of the victims did drink the water at the park, all of them swam in the lake, officials said. The source of contamination in the park's lake is still unknown. All lake activities remain closed until all sampling results are complete, officials said.

Cowans Gap State Park is in Fulton County, Pennsylvania.
 

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Certain restaurants in Armada, Lapeer and North Branch, Michigan, received McNees Meats ground beef tainted with E. coli O157:NM -- a shiga-toxin producing type of E. coli that can cause hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) and thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (HUS-TTP).

McNees Meats in North Branch is recalling a ton of ground beef sold to restaurants and directly to consumers from its own retail location. The product has been linked to an outbreak of E. coli O157:NM that has sickened at least five people. In addition, the ground beef is the probable cause of four other illnesses. This McNees ground beef E. coli outbreak is under investigation in Lapeer, Genesee, Isabella and Sanilac counties of Michigan. A public health alert has been issued.

The initial recall was for 360 pounds of ground beef products, but that was expanded to 2,200 pounds on August 11. The recall covers 1- and 10-pound bagged packages of “McNees Ground Beef Bulk,'' 1 to 1.5-pound packages of  "McNees Ground beef patties,'' 1-pound packages of “McNees Ground Round'' and 1 and 2-pound packages of  “McNees Ground Beef Bulk” sold in red and white plastic bags. Each product bag bears the establishment number "EST. 33971'' within the USDA mark of inspection. 

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Our attorneys are continuing their investigation of an E. coli O157:NM outbreak in Michigan that has been linked to the consumption of ground beef from McNees Meats and Wholesale LLC, a meat-processing and retail establishment in North Branch, Michigan. Nine people have been sickened. Known case patients range in age from 15 to 88 and live in Michigan counties of Lapeer, Genesee, Isabella, and Sanilac. The outbreak started in mid-July.

All nine victims reported consuming ground beef either at local restaurants supplied by McNees or by purchasing beef directly from the company. McNees has recalled 2,200 pounds of beef believed to be tainted by E.coli O157:NM.  State, federal and local health officials are working together to determine how widely the tainted products were distributed.

 E. coli infections can cause severe, bloody diarrhea and abdominal cramping. In some cases E. coli can lead to more dangerous conditions like thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) and hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), which can cause permanent kidney damage. Several of the victims of this outbreak have been hospitalized.

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Our E. coli lawyers continue to investigate an E. coli O157 outbreak associated with swimming in the lake at Cowans Gap State Park in Pennsylvania. We are looking at cases involving children who contracted E. coli infections and then developed kidney failure (renal failure) from a complication of E. coli called hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). This is a horrendous illness that, in addition to kidney failure, can cause severe seizures, strokes, heart failure, pancreatitis and other life-threatening medical problems. Our attorneys represent children with E. coli HUS throughout the United States. Contact our attorneys.

The Cowans Gap E. coli outbreak has sickened 14 people, all but one children. The outbreak victims swam in the lake between July 12 and July 31, most during the weekend of July 30-31. Swimming in the lake prior to becoming ill was the only factor in common among all of the ill individuals.

To date, the E. coli victims include the following:

• 11 people from Pennsylvania, most from the south-central region of the state
• 3 people from Maryland who visited Cowans Gap in July.

In the process of investigating the outbreak, Pennsylvania health officials found a different strain of E. coli in well water at the park. The new strain of  E. coli bacteria was found in the raw water supply well that had not yet  been treated with the chlorine system. Park officials are urging visitors to boil all water or use bottled water for drinking, making ice, brushing teeth, washing dishes, and food preparation until further notice. Boiling kills bacteria and other organisms in the water.

Cowans Gap State Park is located near McConnellsburg, Pennsylvania, in Fulton County. 

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The strawberry E. coli outbreak that killed a person in Oregon and sickened at least 14 others was caused by deer feces found in strawberry fields in Washington and Yamhill counties, Oregon health officials said.

Dr. Katrina Hedberg,  Oregon Public Health's state epidemiologist, said there were six samples that positively matched the E. coli O157:H7 strain that was found in the people who were infected. Strawberries from the affected fields were produced last month by Jaquith Strawberry Farm, which is located in Newberg. Jaquith sold its strawberries to buyers who then resold them at roadside stands, farm stands and farmers' markets.  

According to the agency's press release, investigators believe they have identified those operators and locations that possibly resold Jaquith strawberries. Jaquith finished its strawberry season in late July, and its strawberries are no longer on the market. But health officials are concerned that some of the berries may be stored in home freezers and they are warning the public to be on guard. 

• Berries other than strawberries;  
• Strawberries sold since Aug. 1;  
• Strawberries sold in supermarkets;  
• Strawberries picked at Jaquith Strawberry Farm's U-pick field;  
• Strawberries grown in southwest Washington state.  

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Oregon health officials have confirmed that deer droppings caused the E coli poisoning outbreak from strawberries that sickened 15 people and killed one woman. Of the ten samples taken from Jacquith Strawberry Farm in Newberg Oregon, six matched the deadly strain of E. coli 0157:H7.

The Jaquith Strawberry Farm E. coli Outbreak has sickened people in five Oregon counties: Multnomah, Washington Clackamas, Yamhill and Clatsop. 

“An Oregon Public Health Communicable Disease team has been investigating the outbreak for several weeks,” said Katrina Hedberg, M.D., M.P.H., Oregon Public Health state epidemiologist. “There were six samples that positively matched the E. coli that was found in the people who were infected.”

Strawberries from the affected fields were produced last month by Jaquith Strawberry Farm, which is located in Newberg. In response to this outbreak, Jaquith Farm has recalled its products. At this time, the Oregon Department of Agriculture believes it has identified those operators and locations that possibly sold Jaquith strawberries. Jaquith sold its strawberries to buyers who then resold them at roadside stands, farm stands and farmers' markets.

The following list (not all-inclusive) provides current locations known to have distributed Jaquith farm strawberries:

• Astoria Farmer's Market Downtown
  June 25, July 2, July 9, July 17, and July 23
  Bart & Tammy VanDomelen
• Vancouver Farmer's Market
  Last two-thirds of growing season
  Crawford Nursery and Produce (34849 SW Tongue Lane, Cornelius, OR)
• Lake Oswego Farmer's Market
  Last two-thirds of growing season
  Crawford Nursery and Produce (34849 SW Tongue Lane, Cornelius, OR)
• Tillamook Farmer's Market
  Last two-thirds of growing season
  Crawford Nursery and Produce (34849 SW Tongue Lane, Cornelius, OR)
• Ilwaco, WA Farmers Market in July
  June 23-July 28
  Ed Rice
• Farmers' market at 6th & Esther St., Vancouver, WA
  July 9, 16, 23
  Valley Berry Farms
• Farmers' market in Bend, OR (berry patch)
  June-July
  Valley Berry Farms
• Farmers' market at 3rd & Miller St., Gresham, OR (Farmer's Outlet Booth)
  June-July
  Debbie Loury
• Fir Point Farms, 14601 Arndt Rd NE, Aurora, OR
  June-July
  Lee Farms and Fir Point Farms
• Growers Outlet
  16145 NE Glisan, Portland, OR
  June 11-July 18
• Lee Farms, 21975 SW 65th, Tualatin, OR
  June-July
  Lee Farms and Fir Point Farms
• Fir Point Farms, 14601 Arndt Rd NE, Aurora, OR
  June-July
• Roadside stand at NW Laidlaw and Bethany Blvd Portland, OR
  June 13-July 20
  NW Fresh Produce
• Retail outlet at 18300 NW West Union Rd, Portland, OR
  June 13-July 20
  NW Fresh Produce
• Petrich General Store
  23915 SW Scholls Ferry Rd., Hillsboro, OR
• Ray's Produce
  205 N. Main St., Newberg, OR
  June 21-July 25
• Ray's Old Town Produce
  22464 SW Pine St., Sherwood, OR
  July 10-July 17 & July 23
• The Barn
  5211 NE 148th, Portland, OR
  July 8-July 23
• Roadside/ farm stand
  9400 SW Heikes Dr, Hillsboro, OR
  June 27-July 28
  Dave Heikes
• Roadside/ farm stand
  34840 SW Johnson School Rd., Cornelius, OR
  July 8, 15, and 22
  Duyck's Peachy Pig Farms
• Roadside/ farm stand
  Marlin and Hwy 101 in Astoria, OR
  June 23-July 28
  Ed Rice
• Roadside/ farm stand
  Otis in Lincoln City
  June 23-July 28
  Ed Rice
• Roadside/ farm stand
  1690 Thatcher Rd, Forest Grove, OR
  June 23-July 28
  Ed Rice
• Roadside/ farm stand
  136th and NE Sandy, Portland, OR
  June 11- July 18
  Louisa
• Roadside/ farm stand
  Garden Home Rd & Multnomah Blvd in Portland, OR
  July 5-July 23
  Hand's Berry Stands
• Roadside/ farm stand
  Town of Rainer on Main St (Hwy 30)
  July 5-July 23
  Hand's Berry Stands
• Roadside/ farm stand
  Walker Rd and Cedar Hills Blvd
  July 5-July 23
  Hand's Berry Stands
• Roadside/ farm stand
  Tigard Grange in Tigard, Oregon
  July 5-July 23
  Hand's Berry Stands
• Roadside/ farm stand
  4th St in Cornelius, OR
  July 5-July 23
  Hand's Berry Stands
• Roadside/ farm stand
  67380 E Hwy 26, Welches, OR
  Mid June-end of July
  Hoodland Produce
• Roadside/ farm stand
  22173 Fisher Rd., Banks, OR
  June 21-July 27
  Peggy Estes
• Roadside/ farm stand
  28150 SE Hwy 212, Boring, OR
  July 16-July 22 Schedeen Farms
• Roadside/ farm stand
  845 NE 10th, Gresham, OR
  July 16-July 22
  Schedeen Farms
• Roadside/ farm stand
  24500 SW Scholls Ferry Rd., Hillsboro, OR
  Third week of June to Third week of July
  Smith Berry Barn
• Roadside/ farm stand
  Berry Stand-on College St in Newberg, OR
  June 20-mid July
  Steve Jaquith
• Roadside/ farm stand
  12930 SW Scholls Ferry Rd Tigard, OR
  June 15-July 22
  Westgate Baptist Church
• Roadside/ farm stand
  Roy Rogers Rd. 1/4 mile South of Scholls Ferry Rd., Sherwood, OR
  June-July
  Joe & Jerry's Berry Fruit Stand
• Roadside / farm stand
  Hwy 99 & McDonald Lane, McMinnville, OR
  June 1-July 22
  Ray's Produce Inc
• Roadside / farm stand
  23rd & Sandy, Portland, OR
  June-July
  Ron Spada
• Roadside / farm stand
  8481 SE Jannsen Rd., Clackamas, OR
  July 8-July 23
  Hartnell Farms
• Roadside / farm stand
  146 W Columbia Hwy., Troutdale, OR
  June-July
  Troutdale Fruit Stop
• Roadside / farm stand
  Skyline Blvd & NW Cornell, Portland, OR
  June-July
  Tim Rice
• Roadside / farm stand
  2318 SE 302nd Ave., Troutdale, OR
  July 17-July 23
  Shelly Burns
• Roadside / farm stand
  4640 SW Hillsboro Hwy, Hillsboro, OR
  June 10-June16
  Florentine Salazar
• Roadside / farm stand
  34035 Hwy 213, Molalla, OR
  July 7-July 23
  Valley Berry Farm
• Roadside / farm stand
  Dayton Ave & Hwy 99, Dundee, OR
  June 18-June 30
  Debbie Carlile
• Roadside / farm stand
  1601 NE Market St., Fairview, OR
  July 16-July 20
  Windance Farms
• Roadside / farm stand
  2124 Mason Rd., Hood River, OR
  July 15-July 25
  Wells & Sons Produce Stand
• Roadside / farm stand
  845 N Columbia River Hwy, St. Helens, OR
  June 14-July 29
  Lana Dee Farms
• Roadside / farm stand
  51925 Columbia River Hwy, Scappoose, OR
  June 14-July 29
  Lana Dee Farms
• Roadside / farm stand
  6485 NW Cornelius Pass Rd., Hillsboro, OR
  June 14-July 29
  Lana Dee Farms
• Roadside / farm stand
  1675 NW Cornelius Pass Rd June 14-July 29
  Jim Fields
• Roadside / farm stand
  76 Gas Station Lot on Sunset Hwy & Glencoe Rd., North Plains, OR
  June 14-July 29
  Jim Fields
• Roadside / farm stand
  30240 NW West Union Rd., North Plains, OR
  June 14-July 29
  Ken Fields
• Roadside / farm stand
  Baseline & 331st St, Hillsboro, OR June 14-July 29
  Ken Fields
• Roadside / farm stand
  138th & Farmington, Beaverton, OR
  June-July
  Williamson Family Fruit Stand
• Roadside / farm stand
  5801 SW TV Hwy, Hillsboro, OR
  June-July
  Williamson Family Fruit Stand
• Roadside / farm stand
  124th & Stark St., Portland, OR
  July 16-July 22
  Schedeen Farms

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Our attorneys are investigating an E. coli O157:H7 outbreak in Pennsylvania that has sickened at least 13 people, including children who developed hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS).  The outbreak has been associated with swimming in the lake at Cowans Gap State Park.

Those sickened in the outbreak include:

• six people from Franklin County
• four from Lancaster County
• one from Huntingdon County
• two from Maryland.

During this outbreak, eight children have been treated at Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, Hershey, for HUS. Of those, five had been in the lake at Cowans Gap.

Those sickened swam in the Cowans Gap lake from July 12 and July 31.

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An outbreak of E. coli O157:H7 has been linked to swimming at the lake in Cowans Gap State Park in Pennsylvania. Dr. Andre Weltman of the Pennsylvania Health Department told the media that there are six confirmed E. coli 0157:H7 cases involving children who had been swimming in the lake over the past month: 4 from Franklin County, one from Huntingdon County and one from Maryland.

At least four of these children have hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a severe illness that is the leading cause of kidney failure in children in the United States. To date, three of the children with E. coli HUS have required dialysis for kidney failure. When HUS progresses to this point is when a lot of other problems surface, including seizures, brain damage, pancreatitis, heart failure, blindness and other serious health problems. It is fatal in 5-10% of the cases.

In response to this outbreak, Pennsylvania officials closed the lake at Cowans Gap State Park yesterday in the late afternoon:

All water activities at Cowans Gap State park including swimming, wading, boating and fishing is prohibited until further notice. We are doing this to insure that we have safe water in the lake for these recreational activities.

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Update: Since this post was first written, the number of confirmed cases of E. coli O157 reported in this outbreak has risen from 3 to 5..

Five confirmed cases of E. coli O157  and 4 probable cases have been linked to ground beef processed and distributed by McNees Meats and Wholesale LLC., a North Branch, Michigan, company.  Those sickened live in the following Michigan counties: Lapeer County, Genesee County, Isabella County, and Sanilac County.

Six of the people sickened were hospitalized. E. coli can cause severe dehydration, colitis, hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) and other serious medical problems. We have had clients who were hospitalized for months.

Illness onset dates range from July 18-30. Those affected range in age from 15-88.

Michigan health officials informed the USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) of the outbreak on August 4. Epidemiological evidence quickly pointed to McNees ground beef as the source.

In response to this outbreak, McNees Meats recalled approximately 360 pounds of ground beef product products.

The products subject to recall include:

• 36 - 10 lb. Bags of “McNees Ground Beef Bulk.”

Each clear plastic bag bears establish number “EST. 33971” within the USDA mark of inspection. The products subject to recall were produced on July 15, and July 21, 2011, and sold to restaurants in Armada, Lapeer and North Branch, Mich. The products were also sold from a retail establishment owned by McNees Meats and Wholesale, LLC.

Our E. coli food poisoning attorneys are available for a free consultation regarding a lawsuit against McNees Meats and Wholesale LLC.

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Another child has died from an E. coli infection. Health officials are looking at the petting zoo at the Hendricks County Fair as a possible source of the illness.

We are currently representing a family whose little boy contracted an E. coli infection after visiting another petting zoo. In that case, the boy developed hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), but survived.

Petting zoos at fairs and other locations need to be safer for children:

• Soap and warm, running water should be available for washing hands in or near the petting zoo and at many stations throughout the fairgrounds.
• Most people do not understand that animals can have dangerous pathogens like E. coli O157:H7 on them. Large warning signs with eye-catching graphics should be displayed throughout the petting zoo area and the entire fairgrounds.
• Staff at the petting zoo should discuss the importance of hand washing with visitors.

The family of the young girl who died, Kalei Welch, wants to get out the message about hand washing:

"The petting zoo part of a fair really can be a dangerous place because they're touching the animals," said Marc Monte, senior pastor at Faith Baptist Church in Avon, Indiana, and spokesman for Kalei's family. "The animals sometimes have this bacteria on them. If hands are not washed or if they depend on just the sanitizer, that can be not a good thing."

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Deschutes County, Oregon Health Department has issued a health advisory to Elk Lake Resort area visitors regarding E. coli-contaminated water at the resort.

"This case is similar to cases we recently settled involving water served at a restaurant," said E. coli attorney Fred Pritzker. "The well water that was servicing the restaurant became contaminated with E. coli, and dozens of people were sickened."

The Elk Lake Resort warning:

It has been reported in the past week that recent visitors to the area have become ill with symptoms of vomiting and diarrhea.

Elk Lake Resort has been cooperating closely with Deschutes County Health officials and has voluntarily closed the restaurant (cabins are still operating with a "boil water" alert) until the health investigation is complete. Although not confirmed to be the cause of illness, the drinking water at the resort has tested positive for E-coli bacteria.

Deschutes County Health Services Department officials continue to investigate the cause of illness and will not know any conclusive sources of the reported illnesses until next week, if a source is identified at all.

The warning cautioned visitors at Elk Lake Resort to drink only bottled water and avoid ice or drinking water from resort plumbing.

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As of 10 a.m. EDT Saturday, March 26, the USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS), listed various Walmart and BJ's Wholesale Club stores as retail locations associated with the recall of Seltzer's Lebanon Bologna issued by Palmyra Bologna Company, a Pennsylvania processor. The recall was prompted by an outbreak of E. coli O157:H7 linked to the bologna that has sickened at least 14 people in 5 states: Maryland (3 cases), New Jersey (2 cases), North Carolina (1 case), Ohio (2 cases) and Pennsylvania (6 cases). Below is the Seltzer's bologna recall retail distribution list

New Jersey - NJ Walmart - undisclosed locations in New Jersey

BJ's Wholesale Club 1910 Deptford Center Rd. Deptford, New Jersey

BJ's Wholesale Club 152 Route 73 Voorhees, New Jersey

North Carolina - NC BJ's Wholesale Club 2370 Walnut St. Cary, N.C.

Pennsylvania - PA Walmart - undisclosed locations in Pennsylvania

BJ's Wholesale Club 1785 Airport Rd. South Allentown, Pennsylvania

Maryland -MD Walmart - undisclosed locations in Maryland

Note from the FSIS regarding this retail distribution list: "FSIS has reason to believe that the above retail location(s) received various sizes of Seltzer's Beef Lebanon Bologna that have been recalled by Palmyra Bologna Company, Inc. This list may not include all retail locations that have received the recalled product or may include retail locations that did not actually receive the recalled product."

Grocery stores can be held liable in foodborne illness outbreaks: Bologna E. coli: Attorneys Investigate Grocery Store Liability. The same information is true for stores like Walmart and BJ's Wholesale Club that sell grocery items and have delis. Contact our E. coli lawyers for a free consultation: 1-888-377-8900 (toll free) or submit our contact form for review by our attorneys.

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Seltzer's bologna E. coli outbreak has sickened at least four people in Pennsylvania, New Jersey and North Carolina. The type of E. coli is O157:H7, the dominant variety that is associated with life-threatening hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS).

The case patients in this outbreak fell ill between January 28 and February 12 and  public health officials are still investigating. To date, the bacteria has not been found in samples of the bologna, but epidemiologists have linked it to the outbreak based on eating patterns of those who were afflicted. Meanwhile, consumers are being warned not to eat Seltzer's beef Lebanon bologna that was produced in December 2010.

If you or a loved one has suffered gastrointestinal illness after eating the product, see a doctor.  For answers to legal questions about a possible Seltzer's bologna lawsuit, call PritzkerOlsen, P.A., at 1-888-377-8900 (Toll Free) or complete our contact form. A lawyer will call you and provide a free case consultation.

To date, the USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) has not released a list of retailers who handled Seltzer's bologna that may be contaminated with E. coli O157:H7. But consumers can check their own inventory for the following recalled items:

 6-ounce packages of "SELTZER'S BEEF LEBANON BOLOGNA" with lot code "01351" and best-by date of "Apr. 20 2011" printed on the package. 

12-ounce packages of "SELTZER'S BEEF LEBANON BOLOGNA" with lot code "01351" and best-by dates of "Apr. 20 2011" or "Apr. 21 2011" printed on the package.

16-ounce packages of "SELTZER'S BEEF LEBANON BOLOGNA" with lot code "01351" and best-by date of "Apr. 22 2011" printed on the package. 

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A beef Lebanon bologna E. coli outbreak in New Jersey, North Carolina and Pennsylvania has sickened at least four people -- a group of illnesses that state and federal health officials have associated with Lebanon bologna products made by Pennsylvania-based Palmyra Bologna Company, Inc.

A Seltzer's beef Lebanon bologna recall was announced today and the investigation into the outbreak is continuing. The four case patients had matching E. coli O157:H7 illnesses with onset dates between January 28 and February 12, the USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service announced in a news release. Anyone with signs or symptoms of foodborne illness should contact a health care provider. For legal questions or to receive a free case consultation, call food safety law firm PritzkerOlsen, P.A. at 1-888-377-8900 (Toll Free) or complete our contact form. Our firm is one of the few in the country practicing extensively in the area of foodborne illness litigation and we have collected tens of millions of dollars for victims of E. coli O157:H7 and other types of food poisoning.

E. coli O157:H7 is a potentially deadly bacterium that can cause bloody diarrhea, dehydration, and in the most severe cases, hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). Children under age 5, seniors and persons with weak immune systems are the most susceptible to infections. Even mild E. coli O157:H7 infections can cause long-term health consequences throughout a person's life -- a reality that demands thorough claims recovery..

Seltzer's Beef Lebanon Bologna E. coli O157:H7 Recall

The recalled beef product is similar in appearance to salami. It is a fermented, semi-dry sausage. Palmyra Bologna Company is recalling approximately 23,000 pounds of its Seltzer's beef Lebanon bologna products, each package bearing a label with establishment number "EST. 474" inside the USDA mark of inspection, The products subject to recall were produced in December 2010 and were sent to distribution centers in California., Colorado., Maryland., New York and Pennsylvania for further distribution to retail stores.  The FSIS will publish a corresponding list of stores.  

For consumers, here is the list of Lebanon bologna products that may be contaminated with E. coli O157:H7: 

• 6-ounce packages of "SELTZER'S BEEF LEBANON BOLOGNA" with lot code "01351" and best-by date of "Apr. 20 2011" printed on the package.
• 12-ounce packages of "SELTZER'S BEEF LEBANON BOLOGNA" with lot code "01351" and best-by dates of "Apr. 20 2011" or "Apr. 21 2011" printed on the package.
• 16-ounce packages of "SELTZER'S BEEF LEBANON BOLOGNA" with lot code "01351" and best-by date of "Apr. 22 2011" printed on the package.

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An  E. coli filbert recall that was extended to Canada by the same wholesaler who recalled the hazelnuts in the U.S. has been expanded by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency as officials continue to investigate a pair of cases of E. coli O157:H7 illnesses that match the outbreak strain in the United States.

The E. coli filbert outbreak has sickened at least seven Americans, three in Minnesota, three in Wisconsin and one in Michigan. Three of the seven were hospitalized and no one developed hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) -- a life-threatening condition that strikes up to 15 percent of people who become infected with E. coli O157:H7.

Canada's two cases are under investigation by the Public Health Agency of Canada to see if victims at in-shell filberts that are part of the recall. The recalled nuts sold by D. DeFranco and Sons of Los Angeles, California, were distributed in Alberta, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Ontario and may have been distributed nationally.

As in the U.S., the recall in Canada involves bulk in-shell filberts and mixed nuts containing filberts that were repackaged by stores or sold in bulk bins. It also involves Cello-bagged Sunripe brand hazelnuts and mixed nuts containing hazelnuts with sell-by date of 6-30-11. The bulk nuts would have been purchased at stores beginning in mid-November. DeFranco's shipments of the filberts in question ended December 22.

E. coli traceback investigations are in progress to determine where in the food chain these filberts were contaminated by E. coli O157:H7, a human pathogen that is banned in the U.S. from ground beef. Hamburger is the most common carrier of the bacteria, but it also attaches to leafy green vegetables, other fresh produce, raw milk, cider, and other food. Oregon dominates U.S. filbert production and it is important in that state for growers to harvest the crop of nuts from the ground before the autumn rainy season. Experts speculate that the hazelnuts involved in the current outbreak came in contact with E. coli on the ground. The pathogenic microbe is expelled into the environment from cattle feces and the feces of other animals.

Families who have questions about a filbert E. coli lawsuit should contact an attorney for an explanation of how E. coli litigation works. Law firm PritzkerOlsen, P.A., 1-888-377-8900 (Toll Free) has collected millions of dollars for victims of E. coli and has been representing victims around the country for many years. Our firm is one of the very few attorney groups in the country practicing extensively in the area of foodborne illness litigation and our lawyers are actively involved in efforts to clean up the U.S. food supply.

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Seven states received an "A" letter grade while 14 others received an "F" for their performance in detecting and reporting outbreaks of foodborne illness. The analysis, based on 10 years of outbreak data kept by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), was published this week by the respected non-profit health advocacy organization known as Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI).

The findings reinforce conventional wisdom among food safety experts, including food poisoning lawyers who represent victims of E. coli, Salmonella, Campylobacter, Listeria and other types of bacteria. Generally speaking, states that report a lot of outbreaks are tops at linking clusters of foodborne illnesses to the source of contamination. By contrast, those states that hardly report any outbreaks don't seem to put much effort into it. CSPI said state public health investigations of foodborne illness are vital to quantifying the problem on a national scale and subsequently developing prevention strategies.

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A Wisconsin E. coli outbreak linked to Zillman Meat Market has been announced by the Marathon County Health Department in Wausau. Four people have developed E. coli poisoning, including one person hospitalized.

The presence of E. coli in Zillman Meat Market wild game is under investigation by the Marathon County Health Department, the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture and the Wisconsin Department of Health Services. A Marathon County E. coli press release said the four victims contracted infections from eating smoked ready-to-eat meat products processed from wild game from September 30, 2010, through November 13, 2010.

National food safety law firm PritzkerOlsen, P.A., has successfully represented Wisconsin E. coli victims and our firm is monitoring the Zillman Meat Market investigation to determine the original source and the extent of the contamination. Free case consultations are available at 1-888-377-8900 (toll free) or by completing the contact form on the side of this Web page. Our firm is one of the few in the country practicing extensively in foodborne illness litigation and we have recovered millions for food poisoning victims.

Note to Consumers:

Here is the full text of this Wisconsin E. coli health advisory. "We are advising persons not to eat or serve any ready-to-eat smoked meat products purchased from Zillman Meat Market.  This includes smoked ready-to-eat meat products, both custom and retail, purchased at the store.  Further recommendations about what to do with the smoked meat products will be forthcoming based on the continuing investigation.  Please hold the smoked meat products until we have more information.  Fresh meat products properly cooked are not affected by this advisory.'' 

E. coli Symptoms: 

Anyone who has fallen ill after eating any ready-to-eat smoked meat products purchased from Zillman in Wausau should immediately contact a physician. The incubation period for E. coli infection ranges from 1 to 8 days, though typically it is 3 to 5 days. Signs and symptoms of illness include abdominal cramping that can be severe, vomiting and diarrhea that can be watery or bloody. If there is a fever it is usually low grade.

E. coli infection can develop into hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) and/or thrombotic thrombocytopenic pupura (TTP).  These life-threatening illnesses are closely related and involve destruction of red blood cells (HUS) and platelets (TTP).

Our law firm represents E. coli victims nationwide, including victims who develop HUS and TTP.  We have recovered millions from meat processors who sold products contaminated with E. coli O157:H7 and other strains of E. coli.

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An E. coli 0157:H7 outbreak in Jasper County, Missouri, has killed a 51-year-old Carthage woman and sickened several other people, including two others who had confirmed cases of E. coli 0157:H7 infection.

Jasper County Health Department Director Tony Moehr said the outbreak stemmed from contaminated food or beverage served at the Thanksgiving family dinner November 27. An investigation is attempting to determine which food or beverage item caused the outbreak. Food contaminated with E. coli may not look or smell spoiled.  Moehr previously said the woman who died on December 8 contracted hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a complication of E. coli 0157:H7 infection that is the leading cause of E. coli death.

More than 20 people attended the family dinner and 11 experienced gastrointestinal illness. Moehr said the second confirmed E. coli infection occurred in a Jasper County resident who attended the event. A third case was reported in Dade County, also involving an attendee.  “We have identified seven or eight additional illnesses related to that gathering, but we don’t have the test results back for them. These cases occurred around the same period of time but were not as severe,'' Moehr told reporter Wally Kennedy at the Joplin Globe newspaper. 

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Bravo Farms Cheese Factory in Traver, California, is recalling all of its cheese almost three weeks after an E. coli 0157:H7 outbreak prompted the initial recall by Costco Wholesale Corporation. The Fresno Bee is reporting that the latest action stems from an inspection by the California Department of Food and Agriculture. State inspectors found  Listeria and E. coli contamination at its Traver plant, Bravo Farms partner Jonathan Van Ryn told the newspaper..

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Bravo Farms Dutch Style Gouda cheese sampled and sold at Costco in Arizona, Colorado, southern California, is linked to an outbreak of at least 33 E. coli infections in those states, including 15 people hospitalized. The label says the cheese is made from raw milk.

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New Mexico's role in the Costco Gouda cheese E. coli outbreak has yielded a positive lab finding important to the investigation. A New Mexico newspaper reported that state experts found a genetic match between an intact sample of Bravo Farms Dutch Style Gouda cheese sold at Costco and the outbreak strain of E. coli 0157:H7.

Previously, state and federal officials had only matched the Costco outbreak strain of E. coli to previously opened packages of the cheese taken from case patients' homes. In New Mexico and four other states, there are at least 37 confirmed illnesses in a cheese E. coli outbreak that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has linked to Bravo Farms Dutch Style Gouda sold and sampled at Costco from October 5 through Nov. 1. Of the 37 known cases, 19 were in Arizona, 10 in Colorado, 3 in California, 3 in New Mexico and two in Nevada. Cases in New Mexico include a 41-year-old man, a 7-year-old girl from Bernalillo County and a 4-year-old boy from Valencia County who are all recovering. 

"Collaboration with the Dairy Division of the New Mexico Department of Agriculture led to the collection of the intact samples of cheese that definitively linked a specific brand to human cases," Dr. C. Mack Sewell, state epidemiologist for the Department of Health, told the Alamogordo Daily News.

A Costco cheese E. coli lawsuit is one way for victims of this outbreak to receive fair compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering and other harms. Law firm PritzkerOlsen, P.A., is in touch with victims and continuing to accept cases at 1-888-377-8900 (Toll Free) or by completing the contact form on the side of this Web page.

 Our firm is a leading national practitioner of foodborne illness litigation and we represent victims of food poisoning in practically every major outbreak. PritzkerOlsen also is actively involved in efforts to prevent the entry of potentially deadly pathogens like E. coli 0157:H7 into the U.S. food supply.

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E. coli attorneys at Pritzker Olsen law firm are investigating the E. coli O157:H7 outbreak associated with Bravo Farms Dutch Style Gouda cheese (Costco item number 40654) sold or tasted at Costco stores in Arizona, California, Colorado, Nevada and New Mexico.

The firm also is attempting to verify if the Bravo Farms Gouda cheese associated with the outbreak was a raw dairy product and whether Costco and Bravo Farms followed company food safety policies.

“The investigation of this outbreak may take time. We are calling on Costco and Bravo Farms to pay the medical bills of the E. coli victims immediately,” said food poisoning attorney Fred Pritzker. “These victims and their families deserve this much while they are waiting for further compensation from the companies for lost income, pain and suffering, emotional distress and other damages.”

The Bravo Farms and Costco E. coli outbreak has sickened at least 25 people, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): AZ (11), CA (1), CO (8), NM (3), and NV (2). Nine victims were hospitalized, and one may have developed hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), the leading cause of kidney failure in children in the United States.

E. coli symptoms include severe and often bloody diarrhea and severe abdominal cramps. Children, the elderly, and people with weak immune systems are most at risk for further complications such as E. coli HUS. Hospital bills, other medical expenses and lost wages for E. coli victims can be a financial hardship for families.

Attorney Fred Pritzker can be reached at 1-888-377-8900 (TOLL FREE) or through his website, www.pritzkerlaw.com. Mr. Pritzker represents E. coli victims nationwide. He has won millions for food poisoning victims and has appeared on national and local news programs to discuss foodborne illness lawsuits and food safety. He is listed in the current edition of The Best Lawyers in America.

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An Arizona Costco cheese E. coli outbreak is under investigation by state and federal health officials who say that at least 11 people in Arizona may have been sickened by a product sold by Costco at Cheese Road Shows in October.

Besides Arizona, another 14 people have been sickened by the same exact outbreak strain of E. coli in New Mexico, Colorado, Nevada and California.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Costco warned consumers in a press release on Thursday to avoid Bravo Farms Dutch Style Gouda cheese because the cheese may be related to this outbreak of E. coli 0157:H7 infections. 

 Bravo Farms Dutch Style Gouda E. coli Facts:

Bravo Farms Dutch Style Gouda cheese was offered for sale and in cheese sampling events at Costco Wholesale locations.

As of Thursday, 25 people have fallen ill since mid-October. The number of ill persons identified in each state with this strain is as follows: AZ (11), CA (1), CO (8), NM (3) and NV (2). There have been 9 reported hospitalizations, 1 possible case of hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), and no deaths

E. coli is the name of a type of bacteria that lives in your intestines. Although most types of E. coli are harmless, some types can make you sick. The worst type of E. coli, known as E. coli O157:H7, causes bloody diarrhea and can sometimes cause kidney failure and even death.

E. coli lawyers at  PritzkerOlsen, P.A., are monitoring this Costco cheese E. coli outbreak and have established a claims center for members of the public who have been harmed. For a free case consultation, call 1-888-377-8900 (Toll Free) or complete the contact form on the side of this Web page. Our firm is one of the few in the country practicing extensively in the area of foodborne illness litigation and we have recovered millions of dollars for victims of food poisoning.

We currently represent E. coli HUS victims and have years of experience representing victims of food poisoning against large national retailers and food manufacturers.

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by E. coli Attorney Fred Pritzker

An article in the Denver Post today tells the story of the Pierce family in Colorado. Two of their children were part of the E. coli O157:H7 outbreak that was linked to Billy Goat Dairy south of Longmont, Colorado. The children contracted E. coli O157:H7 infections that developed into hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a severe illness that causes kidney failure and can lead to brain damage, heart problems, blindness, pancreatitis and death.  

The children were in the hospital for three weeks. I have stood by the bed of a child sickened with HUS and looked into the faces of anguished parents. To add to the tragedy of these cases, E. coli O157:H7 and the resulting HUS are preventable with basic sanitation measures.

In the Denver Post article, it says the owner of Billy Goat Dairy is now taking measures to prevent E. coli O157:H7. Why weren’t those measures in place before he distributed milk to consumers? 

He removed a manure pile in the goat pasture, put in a gutter system to drain water outside the milk parlor, bought a commercial refrigerator and dishwasher, and is working on a shareholder handbook that suggests such safety tips as not leaving milk in the car while running errands on the way home from the dairy.

Isn’t it obvious that a pile of manure that can harbor dangerous pathogens like E. coli shouldn’t be in the pasture with the goats that are being milked and that water that could be contaminated with the same should not flow into the milking area? Why was the dairy able to operate when it didn’t have a commercial refrigerator or dishwasher?

Colorado does not allow the sale of raw milk, but it does allow people to become part owners in herd-sharing operations and have access to the raw milk produced by the herd. State legislators need to immediately either eliminate this option or give the Colorado Department of Agriculture the authority and direction to enact strict, enforceable regulations regarding specific measures dairies must take before they can distribute raw milk to anyone.

The children sickened in this outbreak did not sign a contract not to sue Billy Goat Dairy. They have legal rights and an avenue to pursue medical expenses and compensation for pain and suffering. Contact me for more information about your child’s legal rights.

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BJ's Wholesale Club stores in eight northeastern and eastern states have been identified as retailers that sold Cargill ground beef that was potentially contaminated with E. coli 026.

Cargill's recall of 8,500 pounds of hamburger meat affects BJ's Wholesale Club customers in Connecticut, Maine, Maryland, Virginia, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York and New Jersey.

Public health officials in Maine and New York have traced at least three E. coli 026 infections to the Cargill hamburger, which was produced June 11 for use or freezing by July 1. Two of the illnesses are in Maine and one is in New York. The first infection took hold on June 24.

Maine officials brought the E. coli cluster to the attention of federal authorities, including USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service in early August. The three people sickened in this outbreak fell ill with the identical strain of E. coli 026 -- one of many shiga toxin-producing E. coli types. (The most prevalent is O157:H7). 

Law firm PritzkerOlsen, P.A., is among parties concerned that the outbreak could spread if consumers unknowingly pull tainted meat from their home freezers. Eating ground beef is a well-established mode of shiga toxin E. coli (STEC) transmission, including for serotype 026.

Cargill E. coli lawsuits have been filed in the past and PritzkerOlsen is conducting its own investigation into the current ground beef recall and cluster of E. coli 026 illnesses. To contact our firm call 1-888-377-8900 (Toll Free) or complete the contact form on the side of this Web page. An E. coli lawyer will consult with you at no charge.

Symptoms of E.coli include abdominal cramping followed by diarrhea that progressively worsens and is often bloody. Healthy adults can withstand infections, sometimes without treatment. But young children, older adults and people with weakened immune systems are at risk for severe illness.

In 5 to 15 percent of infections, patients develop hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). HUS is a life-threatening condition in which the body’s blood-clotting mechanisms are altered, causing blocked circulation, kidney failure, bleeding in the brain and other health consequences. Do not make the mistake of taking E. coli 026 lightly, especially in hamburger.

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An E. coli ground beef recall by Cargill Meat Solutions Corp. relates to E. coli 026 illnesses in Maine and New York that have been convincingly associated with the recalled meat. People began getting sick June 24.

This Cargill E. coli ground beef recall is for 8,500 pounds of hamburger products that may be contaminated with E. coli 026 -- a shiga toxin-producing type of E. coli that is potentially lethal. USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service believes there is an association with Cargill's recalled ground beef and a cluster of illnesses in Maine and New York.

The same genetic fingerprint has been found in E. coli 026 bacteria that has infected two people in Maine and one person in New York. This indistinguishable E. coli strain in case patients who ate suspect ground beef prompted the recall and will result in further investigation by FSIS, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and state health officials.

The Cargill E. coli 026 recall and outbreak also is being investigated by law firm PritzkerOlsen, P.A., a leading food safety law firm that practices extensively in the area of E. coli litigation and other food poisoning lawsuits. If you or a loved one has been sickened in this outbreak or have information that may be pertinent, contact us at 1-888-377-8900 (Toll Free) or complete the contact form on the side of this Web page.

Over the years, PritzkerOlsen has collection millions for E. coli survivors and their families, pressing giant corporations, smaller meatpackers, restaurants, grocery retailers and food companies for accountability.

Cargill E. coli Ground Beef Recall Information for Consumers:

Cargill Meat Solutions Corp. of  Wyalusing, Pennsylvania, is recalling about 8,500 pounds of ground beef products that may be contaminated with E. coli O26. This includes 42-pound cases of "GROUND BEEF FINE 90/10," containing three chubs weighing  approximately 14 pound each. These products have a "use/freeze by" date of "07/01/10," and an identifying product code of "W69032."

Please note that these Cargill products were repackaged into consumer-size packages and sold under various retail store brand names in supermarket meat cases. The initial retail distribution list includes certain BJ's Wholesale Club stores in Connecticut, Maine, Maryland, Virginia, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey and New York.

The ground beef products under recall bear the establishment number "EST. 9400" inside the USDA mark of inspection. These products were produced on June 11, 2010, and were shipped to distribution centers in Connecticut and Maryland for further distribution.

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Three E. coli cases in children who attended the Northwestern Michigan Fair are under investigation by state and county health officials.

The illnesses began in the children between August 15-17. The Grand Traverse County Health Department said the victims appear to be infected with a shiga toxin-producing E. coli strain. E. coli 0157:H7 is the most prevalent shiga toxin E. coli, but there are many other types.

Dr. Michael Collins, medical director for the county health department, told UpNorthLive.com that it seems likely the kids contracted their infections from animals at the fair, but officials also are testing the fairground's water supply.

Because of the cluster of E. coli illnesses, physicians in northwestern Michigan have been put on notice to order stool cultures for people showing symptoms of E. coli infection.

E. coli symptoms include abdominal cramping followed by diarrhea that progressively worsens and is often bloody.

In five to 15 percent of E. coli cases, the toxins enter the bloodstream, causing hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), which can lead to kidney failure, anemia, internal bleeding, and the destruction of vital organs.

About 5 percent of the children who develop hemolytic uremic syndrome are killed by it. Those who survive are often left with permanent disabilities, such as blindness or paralysis.

If your family is involved in the Northwestern Michigan Fair E. coli cluster, answers to your legal questions about compensation for medical expenses and other harms can be answered by an E. coli lawyer at PritzkerOlsen, P.A. at 1-888-377-8900 (Toll Free). Free case consultations also are available by completing the form on the side of this Web page.

PritzkerOlsen is a leading practitioner of foodborne illness litigation and has a record of winning lawsuits for people infected with E. coli and other pathogens at fairs, livestock shows and petting zoos.

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A California hamburger E. coli outbreak and recall has been announced by USDA today; starting with a 1 million-pound recall of Valley Meat hamburger that may be contaminated with E. coli O157:H7, a potentially deadly human pathogen.

Valley Meat Company of Modesto, California, produced about 1 million pounds of frozen hamburger patties and bulk hamburger meat  from October 2, 2009, to January 12, 2010, that may be contaminated with E. coli O157:H7. The potentially tainted hamburger was sold to retailers and restaurant suppliers in California, Arizona, Texas and Oregon.

Seven E. coli O157:H7 laboratory-confirmed infections -- all sharing the same genetic fingerprint -- have been reported by the California Department of Public Health.

Law firm Pritzker Olsen, which represents victims in practically every major outbreak of foodborne illness, strongly urges consumers in California, Arizona, Texas and Oregon to check their freezers for the recalled hamburger meat.  Click here to see the complete FSIS Valley Meat E. coli recall list. 

 Consumers should look for any frozen hamburger marked with the USDA establishment number EST 8268 inside the USDA mark of inspection. That means it was produced by Valley Meats in Modesto.

E. coli O157:H7 is a potentially deadly bacterium that can cause bloody diarrhea, dehydration, and in the most severe cases, kidney failure. The very young, seniors and persons with weak immune systems are the most susceptible.

In 5 to 15 percent of cases, individuals develop hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) or thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) -- related conditions that are life threatening due to kidney, brain, nervous system and heart damage that can result from the release of powerful toxins from E. coli.

If you or a loved one has symptoms of E. coli infection, including bloody diarrhea and painful stomach cramps, see your physician immediately and request that a stool culture be taken.

For answers to legal questions about this California hamburger E. coli outbreak, call Pritzker Olsen at 1-888-377-8900 (Toll Free) or complete the contact form on the side of this Web page. Our firm is a leading national practitioner of foodborne illness litigation and we have won millions for our clients.

Our lawyers have won many hamburger E. coli lawsuits against large manufacturers, restaurants and other purveyors of contaminated meat. We also advocate strongly and actively for stronger food safety laws nationally and at the state level to keep potentially deadly pathogens like E. coli O157:H7 out of hamburger and the rest of the food supply.

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A 28-year-old man who regularly eats Great Range Ground Bison fell sick with E. coli O157:H7 last month and was confirmed by Maryland health officials to be part of the Rocky Mountain Natural Meats E. coli outbreak.

Pritzker Olsen law firm is representing the man, who lives in Baltimore. He was called several days ago by the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene with information that the E. coli bacteria that made him sick shares the same DNA fingerprint with five cases in Colorado and one in New York.

The USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service announced July 2 that there is an association between this E. coli outbreak and ground buffalo meat produced by Rocky Mountain Natural Meats of Henderson, Colorado.

Pritzker Olsen already represents a woman from Lakewood, Colorado, in a Colorado buffalo E. coli lawsuit filed this week against Rocky Mountain Natural Meats. In that case, 53-year-old Fran Vanse was hospitalized for several days after eating contaminated buffalo purchased at a King Soopers grocery store in Lakewood.

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The Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS)  has found an association between ground bison made in Colorado and an outbreak of E. coli O157:H7 that so far involves six DNA-confirmed cases -- five in Colorado.

Rocky Mountain Natural Meats of Henderson, Colo. recalled

of product distributed in food stores throughout the United States and in restaurants via foodservice distributors based in Arizona and Utah.

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The U.S. Department of Agriculture has launched an E. coli O157:H7  investigation into the suppliers of ground beef to WinCo Foods, a supermarket chain with stores in California, Idaho, Nevada, Oregon, Washington and Utah.

The probe, assisted by the California Department of Public Health, is in connection with a WinCo hamburger E. coli problem. The company originally recalled ground beef sold from April 3-9 at is Modesto, California, store. An independent lab had found E. coli contamination in two samples of the meat.

Preliminary findings in the WinCo E. coli investigation prompted a widening of the recall to include fresh hamburger with sale dates of March 28-April 9.

USDA spokesman Neil Gaffney told the Modesto Bee newspaper that the agency is investigating the suppliers of the ground beef and attempting to determine how the contamination occurred and the point of contamination.

"We are also trying to determine all potentially infected products," he said.

No confirmed illnesses have yet been reported, but health officials are urging any consumers of recalled WinCo hamburger to immediately see a physician if they have suffered E. coli poisoning symptoms.

For answers to legal questions about an E. coli illness, call national food safety law firm Pritzker Olsen at 1-888-377-8900 (Toll Free) or complete the contact form on the side of this Web page. We represent victims of food poisoning in virtually all major E. coli outbreaks, including families of children who suffer hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) or an associated disease in adults known as thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura ((TTP). 

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A daycare E. coli outbreak at the Vancouver, Washington, home of Dianne and Larry Fletch has claimed the life of a  4-year-old boy who was first hospitalized March 19.

The tragic death was confirmed by Elizabeth Winter of the Washington State Department of Early Learning and Dr. Alan Melnick, health officer for Clark County.

Larry Fletch, who reportedly has operated the in-home daycare since 1990 with no valid complaints on file, was interviewed by KGW-TV: 

"It really is so horrible,'' he said. "We knew the child since before he was born. We’ve been trying to help the family. It’s just so horrible. We were close to the child. We’re close to all of our children."

Public health officials in Clark County closed the daycare April 2 after four children were hospitalized with matching strains of E. coli O157:H7. Others involved in the daycare later tested positive for E. coli but had not yet exhibited symptoms. 

The cause of the Vancouver daycare E. coli outbreak has not been determined, but the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has stated that daycare centers are the most likely settings for person-to-person outbreaks of E. coli O157:H7. In such cases, the pathogen is spread through fecal-oral contact.

The threat of these outbreaks is why public health officials have stressed the importance of strict hand-washing hygiene. In outbreaks of E. coli, five to 15 percent of people infected by the organism develop life-threatening hemolytic uremic syndrome, HUS. Of all age groups, young children are the most susceptible to contracting HUS, which typically involves kidney failure.

But E. coli HUS is much more than that, often damaging other organs and a person's central nervous system.

National food safety law firm Pritzker Olsen is investigating the Fletch daycare E. coli outbreak and is accepting cases from affected families. Our firm gets involved in practically every major outbreak of E. coli and other foodborne illnesses.

For a free case consultation or to ask legal questions of an E. coli lawyer who has handled many HUS cases, call our firm at 1-888-377-8900 (Toll Free) or complete the contact form on the side of this Web page.

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Peppa's South King in Honolulu -- the restaurant at the center of a Hawaii E. coli outbreak investigation -- has reopened after an intense day of E. coli safety training and other food safety instruction.

The Honolulu Star Bulletin reported that a Hawaii Department of Health worker remained at Peppa's until midnight Thursday working with restaurant staff on a 10-point mitigation plan before the department cleared the restaurant for reopening Friday.

Peppa's manager John Kim told the newspaper that business was totally dead on the first day back in operation.

The health department has not issued any updates since it was reported earlier in the week that seven people suffered E. coli O157:H7 infections between March 2-23, including four who said they had eaten at Peppa's, 1240 S. King Street. Public health investigators observed food handling violations at the restaurant.

National food safety law firm Pritzker Olsen is investigating the outbreak and would welcome any information from families affected by illness or from people familiar with the restaurant. Call us at 1-888-377-8900 (TOLL FREE) or complete the contact form on the side of this Web page.

If you are a victim of this outbreak and seek answers to legal questions, an E. coli lawyer at our firm will provide you with a case consultation at no cost to you. We represent victims of food poisoning in every corner of the United States, including Hawaii. If we agree to take your case, you owe us nothing until you win.

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Health officials in Hawaii are investigating an outbreak of E. coli O157:H7 infections and have temporarily closed a barbecue restaurant in Honolulu that they have associated with at least some of the illnesses.

Peppa's Korean BBQ restaurant was ordered closed Thursday by Hawaii's Department of Health, according to a news report by KITV.com. The health agency is aware of seven E. coli patients, some of whom ate food from the restaurant before becoming ill, the report said.

KITV reported that four of the seven victims were hospitalized and that one remained hospitalized Thursday. Six of the patients were from Oahu.

The story didn't say what caused the outbreak, only that "a health inspection team found evidence of exposure to the bacteria'' at the restaurant. 

"Health officials have ordered the restaurant's owners to correct the problems with thorough cleaning and training before it allows the business to reopen,'' KITV.com reported.

The health department has reminded doctors to report any E. coli  infections to the agency. If you or a loved one believe you may be part of this outbreak, immediately see a doctor. For answers to legal questions, call law firm Pritzker Olsen at 1-888-377-8900 (TOLL FREE) or complete a contact form on the side of this Web page.

Pritzker Olsen is a leading practitioner of foodborne illness litigation that has collected millions of dollars for victims of food poisoning. We also are actively involved in efforts to prevent outbreaks and strengthen U.S. food safety laws.

E. coli O157:H7 infection is a serious threat to anyone's health, but children, pregnant women, the elderly and others with weakened immune systems are most at risk. In five to 15 percent of cases, patients develop E. coli HUS, or hemolytic uremic syndrome, which can be life threatening.

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 An investigation into a cluster of child E. coli cases in Belgium, Wisconsin, is continuing, but the Ozaukee County health officer has issued a press release saying the illnesses could have been caused by eating contaminated snow or ice.

In addition, the children had close contact with each other and could have passed it to each other, officials said.

A news release from the office of Ozaukee Health Officer Glenda Madlom said interviews conducted with family members for all three E. coli cases were unable to identify a common food item or other definite source of infection. "The source has not been absolutely determined but a possible explanation includes close contact or a common environmental source, such as contaminated snow or ice,'' the news release said.

The investigation -- aided by the state health department --  has identified two laboratory-confirmed cases of E. coli O157:H7 infection in siblings. One had onset in December and one had onset in January. A third case was identified in a neighbor who had onset in December and tested negative for E. coli infection, but is considered a probable case based on clinical symptoms.

Two of the three patients were hospitalized, and one remains hospitalized. At least one has developed hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a life-threatening complication of E coli O157:H7 infection that is the leading cause of kidney failure in children.

 The Ozaukee Health Department also is investigating a case of laboratory-confirmed cryptosporidiosis in a child from the same neighborhood. At this time there is no evidence that this infection is related to the three E. coli cases, however the investigation is ongoing. Both cryptosporidium and E. coli are found on farms and in animal manure and Belgium is in a farming area.

As a precaution, the Village of Belgium tested its water supply over the weekend and determined that the water is safe. In addition, the health department is working closely with the DNR and the Ozaukee County Department of Land and Water to assist in evaluating environmental concerns. 

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 A new CBS News poll has found that nearly one quarter of Americans grade our country's food safety system as "D" or "F".

The poll results, part of a larger Food Safety in America report by CBS correspondent Bill Whitaker, showed that just one in three Americans are very confident that the food they buy is safe.

Thirty-two percent say they are "very confident" about the safety of the food they buy, while 52 percent are "somewhat confident." The remaining 16 percent say they are not too confident or not at all confident in the safety of their food.

CBS reported that 25 percent of Americans get sick every from what they eat.  In England and France, that number is 2 percent or less.

On average, 76 million Americans each year become victims of foodborne illness, including HUS E. coli,, Salmonella, Campylobacter, Listeria and E. coli in the brain. About 325,000 of those victims are hospitalized and 5,000 die.

In terms of assigning letter grades on the country's record of ensuring the safety of the food supply, the most commonly offered grades were C, chosen by 34 percent of those surveyed, and B, chosen by 33 percent. 

Just seven percent gave the country an A when it comes to keeping the food supply safe. Eighteen percent offered a D, and six percent served up a failing grade.  

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 Applebee's was one of at least five restaurant chains affected by the December 24th recall of 248,000 pounds of steak and other beef products potentially contaminated with E. coli O157:H7, a spokeswoman for Applebee's told Nation's Restaurant News. 

“As a customer of NSP (National Steak and Poultry) we took immediate action when learning of this recall,'' Applebee's spokeswoman Nancy Mays said.

The trade publication also is quoting an official from Darden restaurants saying that the Olive Garden chain was similarly a customer affected by the National Steak and Poultry E. coli recall. 

California-based Applebee's has more than 2000 locations nationwide, but National Steak and Poultry omitted Applebee's and Olive Garden in its official announcement of the potential contamination. The problem at the company's Owasso, Oklahoma, plant has been tied by state and federal health investigators to an outbreak of E. coli O157:H7 that has sickened at least 21 people in 16 states, including nine patients hospitalized and one stricken with life-threatening hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS).

The CDC has said in interviews that E. coli cases have been confirmed in California, Colorado, Florida, Hawaii, Iowa, Indiana, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota Nevada, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Tennessee, Utah and Washington.

The recall announcement on December 24th said the steak E. coli recall primarily affected only three restaurant chains: Moe's Southwest Grill, Carino's Italian and KRM restaurants, parent of 54th Street Grill and Bar restaurants. That lack of complete disclosure was not corrected by USDA, even though it was an announcement that the agency issued.

Neither the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention nor the USDA has clarified which restaurants received meat recalled for potential contamination in this outbreak. The USDA has said quietly that it is prohibited from publishing such lists when it comes to restaurants. Meanwhile, it is a matter of urgency for the agency to name retail grocery chains when there is a similarly high-risk, pathogen-related recall related to meat destined for home consumption.

The confusion and lack of transparency has angered the food safety community, including lawyer Fred Pritzker, whose firm in Minneapolis was the first food safety organization in the country to announce that health investigators were probing an E. coli outbreak associated with mechanically tenderized steak sold at restaurants.

Pritzker said the information blackout amounts to a gag order on USDA and must be lifted to infuse greater transparency into the supply chain that we all rely on for our nutrition. “People have a right to know if the steak they ate at a restaurant was potentially laced with bacteria that could make them seriously ill or even kill them,”  he said.

If you or a loved one has information on this outbreak or questions about restaurant liability for E. coli illnesses, contact an E. coli lawyer at Pritzker Olsen at 1-888-377-8900 (Toll Free) or complete our free consultation form on the side of this Web page.

We are one of the few law firms in the country practicing extensively in the area of foodborne illness litigation and we have collected millions for our clients. We have been in touch with one of the victims of this outbreak and are accepting new cases. This outbreak could have been prevented and our firm actively supports a variety of efforts to wipe out food poisoning through scientific innovation, best practices and stronger government regulation.

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In 1999, the USDA announced that non-intact cuts of beef contaminated with E. coli O157:H7 were to be considered adulterated and since that time there have been outbreaks and studies exposing the fact that steaks tenderized with blades and/or injected with brine or marinade can make them vehicles for E. coli infection.

Now national food safety law firm Pritzker Olsen is investigating a possible multi-state outbreak of E. coli O157:H7 involving meat injected with tenderizing ingredients and served at large restaurant chains in Minnesota and elsewhere.

Although E. coli steak outbreaks from mechanically tenderized and flavored beef cuts have occasionally been reported, most people think that unlike hamburger a steak should be free of pathogenic bacteria and that cooking just the surface should be adequate to destory any contamination that might be present. However, the steaks implicated in the current restaurant E. coli outbreak had their surfaces breached by processes that could drive bacteria into the centers. 

Since many consumers enjoy steak that is not well done, the pathogens can survive cooking and be ingested. According to a 2003 study cited by a Colorado State University report, about 94 percent of surveyed meat processors use similar methods to “mechanically tenderize” meat.

In 2005, a group of state and federal epidemiologists wrote a report about a 2003 steak E. coli outbreak that sickened 12 people in Minnesota, Michigan, Kansas, Iowa and North Dakota. All victims had consumed steaks that had been blade tenderized and injected with marinade at the same Illinois plant. The meat was sold door-to-door in frozen, vacuum packed wrapping. Three of the outbreak patients were hospitalized, including one 52-year-old man who was treated 25 days for hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) and was discharged with "residual neurological deficits.''

The report  warned that the restaurant industry should be aware of the potential increased risk posed by undercooked non-intact steaks. In late 2004, the Conference for Food Protection adopted a recommendation that the USDA and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration develop guidelines for restaurants describing the safe cooking of blade-tenderized steaks.

If you or a loved one have suffered damages from this potential E. coli O157:H7 restaurant steak outbreak or know anything about it, please contact the E. coli lawyers at Pritzker Olsen at 1-888-377-8900 (Toll Free) or complete the contact and information form on the side of this web page. We represent food poisoning victims in all corners of the United States and have recovered millions for our clients. We are one of the few law firms in the country practicing extensively in this area of litigation and we are actively involved in prevention efforts to boost food safety. 

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Consumers are still being warned by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to check their freezers for ground beef stamped with "EST 492'' inside the USDA mark of inspection.

If the products were purchased on or after September 15, 2009, and they have production date codes of 091409, 091509 or 091609 they are likely part of the Halloween recall of 545,699 pounds of ground beef and related products associated with the Fairbank Farms ground beef E. coli outbreak, which has killed 2 people and hospitalized 17 others. Five of the victims have developed life-threatening E. coli HUS. 

According to the final CDC update on the outbreak, two samples from opened packages of ground beef recovered from a patient's homes were tested by the Massachusetts and Connecticut Departments of Health and yielded E. coli O157:H7 isolates that matched the patient isolates by DNA analysis.

The cluster includes 26 persons from 8 states infected with matching strains of E. coli O157:H7. The number of ill persons identified in each state is as follows: California (1), Connecticut (6), Massachusetts (8), Maryland (1), Maine (4), New Hampshire (4), New York (1), and Vermont (1). Of these, the genetic associations of 24 human isolates and both of the product isolates have been confirmed by an advanced secondary DNA test; secondary tests are pending on others. 

Even though the CDC may not publish any additional updates on the outbreak, it is not over. The health agency said the number of cases could increase. The volume of ground beef recalled for the potential of E. coli O157:H7 contamination is very large and many consumers could still become ill if they are unaware of the threat.

The last person confirmed as a victim in the outbreak had an onset of illness on November 6.

If you or a loved one has been sickened in this outbreak, contact national food safety lawyers at Pritzker Olsen Attorneys, 1-888-377-8900 (Toll Free), or complete our online contact and information form on the side of this web page. We have been in contact with other victims of this outbreak and an E coli attorney at our firm will provide you with a free case consultation.

We are one of the few law firms in the country practicing extensively in the area of foodborne illness litigation and we have collected tens of millions of dollars for victims.

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Maine's Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has increased its surveillance of E. coli O157:H7 infections now that seven cases have been confirmed in the state since April 17.

Officials are not saying how many school-aged children are involved, but "school-based health centers'' received top billing on the list of recipients for the May 28 public health alert about the outbreak. The age range of the seven patients was listed as 14 years to 65, with a median age of 26.

According to the alert written by Dr. Dora Anne Mills, director of the Maine CDC, four of the seven cases are "considered part of a national cluster'' of genetically related infections. The matching "fingerprints'' were derived from pulse-field gel electrophoreses, or PFGE.

Mills reported that public health interviews of affected individuals have not resulted in any answers regarding the cause of the outbreak. The interviews of victims found "no common venues, events or foods,'' she wrote. The onset of illness in all seven cases fell between April 17-May 17, in Cumberland and York counties.

Mills has asked health practitioners in the state to be on extra alert for possible E. coli infections in patients with diarrheal illness. Symptoms of the disease include severe stomach cramping, diarrhea (often bloody) and possible nausea and vomiting.

National food safety law firm Pritzker Olsen Attorneys is monitoring the Maine investigation and studying whether it is part of an emerging national outbreak. At this time of year, undercooked hamburgers on the grill are a common vehicle for E. coli O157:H7 food poisoning. But large summertime outbreaks of E. coli also have been linked to contaminated fresh produce.

 If you have concerns about a possible E. coli infection that may be related to this outbreak, see a physician and call anE. coli lawyer at Pritzker Olsen. The number is 1-888-377-8900 (Toll Free), or complete our online form for a free case consultation.

Pritzker Olsen has years of experience representing victims of E. coli O157:H7 outbreaks. The organism, which grows in the hindguts of cattle, is a zero-tolerance adulterant in ground beef products. Most healthy adults overcome E. coli  without medical treatment, but the pathogen can lead to death in young children, elderly adults and others with weakened immune systems. Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome, the leading cause of E. coli deaths, is a complication that can result in kidney failure.

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The Oklahoma Department of Health will do more testing to determine the type of E. coli bacteria found in water wells around Locust Grove, the location of an E. coli 0111 outbreak last year that killed a man and sickened 313 others.

Health officials have known since the outbreak occurred in August 2008 that the E. coli was spread by Country Cottage restaurant in Locust Grove, but no one has ever pinpointed the cause. The issue arose again in mid-February when Oklahoma Attorney General Drew Edmondson issued a report saying that chicken manure spread in area fields was the possible source of the problem.

In conjunction with the report, the Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality tested water wells within a five-mile radius of the restaurant. The results showed 17 of 59 water wells contained  E. coli.

Leslea Bennett-Webb, a spokesman for the state Department of Health, told the Arkansas Democrat Gazette, that Health Department officials will conduct additional tests in an effort to find the cause of the E. coli contamination. At this point, the state doesn't even know what type of E. coli was found in the wells. Bennett-Webb said "we're going to be looking for 0111."

The region around Locust Grove is known for poultry production, but industry officials have repeatedly said there is no link between the spreading of chicken litter on area pastures and the presence of E. coli in well water supplies.

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Health officials in Denver are investigating a correlation between a growing number of E. coli O157:H7 infections and attendance at the National Western Stock Show.

Dr. Chris Urbina of Denver Public Health told the Denver Post that 20 people have been infected with the same strain of E. coli O157:H7, including 16 children who attended the two-week animal show in Denver that ended January 25.

"We are trying to figure out the source -- whether food, water or animals,'' Urbina said.

A spokesman for the Stock Show said officials are cooperating with the investigation but stressed that no one has yet established a scientific link. Urbina says the number of lab-confirmed infections is expected to grow. More than 643,000 people attended the animal show in Denver, many of them children on school or family outings. The youngest child to be sickened with the pathogen is 17 months old.

Because it sometimes takes eight to 10 days after exposure to the organism for a child to feel sick, health officials fear that some infected children returned to day care centers or schools and further spread the E. coli.

PritzkerOlsen Attorneys, a national food safety law firm, is currently representing victims of the nationwide Salmonella outbreak linked to peanut butter and peanut products from the South Georgia processing plant of Peanut Corporation of America. PritzkerOlsen has considerable experience and a reputation for success in representing survivors of all foodborne illnesses, especially E. coli O157:H7 and a complication of the infection known as Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome, or HUS.

In the peanut butter Salmonella outbreak, firm president Fred Pritzker represents the families of two Minnesota women who died with infections matching the outbreak strain. He has already filed a wrongful death lawsuit in one of the cases and will soon file a second one.

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The Oklahoma State Department of Health has issued an update regarding the E. coli outbreak that has been linked to the Country Cottage restaurant in Locust Grove, Oklahoma. According to the update:

The Oklahoma State Department of Health (OSDH) has narrowed the focus of its investigation into a severe diarrheal outbreak in northeastern Oklahoma to the Country Cottage restaurant in Locust Grove, OK. The OSDH is trying to determine how food served at the restaurant might have become contaminated. The restaurant continues to remain closed while the outbreak investigation continues.

Yesterday the OSDH confirmed that this is an Oklahoma E. coli outbreak. One man has died, four children have developed hemolytic uremic syndrome (three of them are on dialysis and fighting to recover), at least 50 people have been hospitalized and at least 23 others have been sickened but not hospitalized.

The OSDH is trying to determine how food served at the restaurant might have become contaminated.  Contact our law firm regarding restaurant liability: 1-888-377-8900 (toll-free) or email attorney Fred Pritzker, managing partner for our E. coli litigation practice.

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