Maryland E. coli O157:H7 and Fresh Spinach
Maryland health officials have confirmed the state's first three E. coli O157:H7 cases linked to fresh spinach (Dole baby spinach and other brands). They are also investigating the death of an 86-year-old woman and 3 other E. coli cases in Maryland. The 3 confirmed cases are children.
Below is the press release issued by the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. Pritzker | Ruohonen is reprinting it here as a public service. Pritzker | Ruohonen practices extensively in the area of food poisoning litigation, including E. coli lawsuits. Pritzker | Ruohonen was the first law firm to file a lawsuit against Dole relating to the 2005 E. coli O157:H7 outbreak linked to Dole bagged salad. (In this outbreak, E. coli O157:H7 matching the outbreak strain was found in a bag of Dole baby spinach.) The firm has collected millions for victims of food poisoning, including over $6,000,000 for a mother who lost her unborn twins. To contact a lawyer at the firm, call toll-free at 1-888-377-8900, e-mail fhp@pritzkerlaw.com or fill out the online, attorney-consultation form. Read about E. coli lawyer Fred Pritzker on the Pritzker | Ruohonen website, www.pritzkerlaw.com.
BALTIMORE, MD (September 22, 2006) - As a result of extensive epidemiological investigations, the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DHMH) has discovered three cases of E. coli 0157:H7 illness among Maryland residents who consumed spinach.
There have been no deaths definitively associated with this outbreak in Maryland.
"The discovery of these cases shows our surveillance protocols are working exactly as they should," said Dr. Michelle A. Gourdine, DHMH deputy secretary for Public Health Services. "The minute we learned about the issue, we began researching any possible links to cases in Maryland. Today's news represents early results from this effort."
The cases involve children, each of whom consumed the spinach before the national alert was issued in mid-September.
As a part of its role in the national investigation DHMH officials have studied reported cases of E. coli in Maryland dating back to August 1 of this year, the point in time corresponding to the onset of the first case nationally.
In that time frame, the department has identified a total of 10 cases of E. coli 0157:H7. Of those, the three reported cases been confirmed and three have been ruled out as being related to the national outbreak [linked to fresh spinach, including Dole baby spinach]. There is no evidence to conclusively link the remaining four, one of which involves a death, to spinach. DHMH continues to study these cases to see if links can be established. Results of these four cases are all pending further investigation and testing.
Maryland health officials strongly urge state residents to follow recommendations issued by the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) that advise against eating any fresh spinach or mixes containing fresh spinach. Information on other types of E. coli exposure is available on the CDC Web site at www.cdc.gov
DHMH officials continue to recommend to anyone who believes they are ill as a result of eating spinach to contact their health care provider or local health department.
The department will continue to vigorously research any similar cases of E. coli illness to determine if they are linked to the outbreak associated with spinach. Officials caution, however, that some suspected cases may never be totally confirmed as a part of the outbreak. As with many epidemiological investigations, samples provided to the department for testing are not always sufficient to draw definite conclusions.
The particular strain of E. coli that is causing these illnesses, E. coli 0157:H7, is a strain that produces a toxin and can cause severe illness [hemolytic uremic syndrome and other illnesses]. It can cause severe diarrhea and abdominal cramps. Symptoms typically begin two to eight days after exposure. Most people recover without specific treatment in five to 10 days. Fluid and electrolyte replacement is important when diarrhea is watery or there are signs of dehydration.
E coli O157:H7 infection is a reportable condition in Maryland. On average, 20 to 30 cases are reported each year. So far this year, DHMH has received reports of 23 laboratory-confirmed E. coli cases.
