40 Cases of E. coli O157:H7 Associated with Topps Frozen Hamburgers
The number of people with confirmed E. coli O157:H7 infections associated with Topps frozen hamburgers continues to rise as health investigators compare the “DNA fingerprint” patterns of E. coli O157 strains found in ground beef with “DNA fingerprint” patterns of E. coli O157 strains isolated from ill persons. There are now 40 cases of E. coli O157:H7 infection with PFGE patterns that match at least one of the patterns of E. coli strains found in Topp's brand frozen ground beef patties. People sickened in this Topps frozen hamburgers E. coli outbreak reside in 8 states: Connecticut (2), Florida (1), Indiana (1), Maine (1), New Jersey (9), New York (13), Ohio (1), and Pennsylvania (12).
Twenty-nine (88%) of 33 patients with a detailed food history consumed ground beef. The remaining 12% most likely contracted secondary infections from people who ate contaminated hamburgers.
Seven illnesses have confirmed associations with recalled products because the strain isolated from the person was also isolated from the meat in their home. This illustrates the importance of not disposing of or returning recalled meat (or any food product) until you are sure no one has been sickened by it. Contaminated food product can be used as evidence.
Thus far, two people have developed hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), one of the leading causes of kidney failure. HUS can cause permanent injury or death. In an unrelated case, a 20-month-old girl just died this week of E. coli-related HUS. She contracted an E. coli infection and 7 days later was dead. To say it is tragic seems inadequate.