Ambassador E. coli Outbreak Raises Questions For Ill Food Workers, Managers
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.
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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.In some jurisdictions, health regulations spell out the responsibilities of food workers and their managers.
The national food safety law firm Pritzker Olsen is investigating The Ambassador outbreak to understand the circumstances for claims and liability purposes. Our law firm has collected millions of dollars for those harmed in outbreaks of foodborne illness and attorneys from the firm will answer questions for any family involved in the Houghton, Michigan, outbreak. Free case consultations are available at 1-888-377-8900 (Toll Free) or an attorney will call you if you leave your contact information.
E. coli O157:H7 is one of four infections that food workers must or should report to their managers. Normal protocol is that workers may not work if they have diarrhea or have been vomiting. Various food safety laws have different reporting requirements, but many agencies require a report be filed with health officials. Management responsibilities are to exclude any ill employees from the establishment until at least one test, and sometimes subsequent tests, show they are clear of the pathogen.
These rules generally stand for any toxic E. coli infection, Salmonella, Shigella or Hepatitis A. Four of The Ambassador E. coli outbreak victims were hospitalized with serious E. coli O157:H7 infections. In eight percent of infections involving this pathogen, patients develop life-threatening hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) and kidney function. Other complications can include stroke, severe anemia, heart attack and disorder of nervous systems, including the spinal cord.
A good E. coli lawyer will consider future illness, loss of income, future medical bills, loss of companionship and other considerations when representing a person harmed by unsafe food. Scientific studies show that the effects of an E. coli infection, even a mild one, can last throughout a person's life.
