Indiana Student Diagnosed with E. coli
(Update to below: There are now 6 students who have E. coli. The venue of the outbreak appears to be Galena Elementary School.)
An Indiana elementary student has been diagnosed with E. coli. Another student has symptoms suggesting E. coli poisoning. Both students were hospitalized on Thursday. Further testing is needed to determine if the type of E. coli is E. coli O157:H7, the pathogen responsible for most E. coli outbreaks and cases of hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), the leading cause of kidney failure in children in the United States. In addition to damaging the kidneys (often permanently), HUS can also cause brain damage and injury to the pancreas, heart, and other organs. HUS can also cause death.
To find the source of the Indiana E. coli infection(s), health officials need to interview the sickened students, test the students’ stools to determine the PFGE (genetic fingerprint) of the E. coli involved, test food served at the school and the drinking water, test any animals the two children touched, and test any swimming pool both children used.
Getting the genetic fingerprints of the E. coli involved is critical. For these 2 cases of E. coli (this is assuming the reported case becomes a confirmed case) to be considered an outbreak (caused by the same source), the genetic fingerprints of the E. coli in the 2 cases will have to match. Anyone else sickened by E. coli with matching genetic fingerprints will also be part of the outbreak.
Food poiisoning attorney Fred Pritzker will continue to monitor this situation. To contact the firm, please call toll-free at 1-888-377-8900 or submit the firm’s online consultation form.
