Milwaukee, Wisconsin, E. coli Outbreak
Pritzker | Ruohnonen, a leading food poisoning litigation law firm, is monitoring a possible E. coli outbreak in Milwaukee County, Wisconsin. [September 14, 2006, update: A national E. coli outbreak has been linked to fresh bagged spinach. A lawsuit against Dole has been filed, but health officials are not sure whether other brands were also involved in the outbreak that, to date, involves eight states. Wisconsin health officials have not indicated whether this Milwaukee E. coli outbreak is linked to fresh spinach.]
In Wisconsin, eleven people have been sickened by E. coli infections so far. According to a story by WISN Channel 12 (Milwaukee):
Health officials have not said if the cases [11 Milwaukee County E. coli cases] are related, but said they are searching for a common cause [update: the cause may be fresh bagged spinach, possibly baby spinach]. Children and adults have both been affected. Five people infected live in Milwaukee. The other six live in other parts of the county. Authorities . . . are talking with everyone who has been sick or their family members to see if they can find any link. Five children have been taken to Children's Hospital. Two have been released, but three remained hospitalized Wednesday night.
E. coli infections can lead to intestinal hemorrhaging (evidenced by bloody diarrhea), severe dehydration, and hemolytic uremic syndrome, the leading cause of kidney failure in children in the United States. Any of these can result in serious injury and death, particularly for young children. As we sit comfortably in our chairs reading about the E. coli outbreak in the Milwaukee, Wisconsin,area, we should consider that 3 children may be fighting for their lives.
According to lawyer Fred Priztker, "It is crucial to trace the outbreak-causing E. coli to its source. The microbiological link to a specific source will help prevent more tragic illnesses."
Fred Pritzker is founder and president of Pritzker | Ruohonen & Associates, P.A., a Minnesota law firm that is one of the few in the United States that practices extensively in the area of foodborne illness litigation, including E. coli lawsuits. The firm has collected millions of dollars on behalf of victims of E. coli O157:H7 poisoning and other foodborne illnesses. To contact Fred Pritzker call toll-free at 1-888-377-8900 or e-mail fhp@pritzkerlaw.com.
Source: Brenday Conway, E. coli Outbreak, WISN Channel 12, the Milwaukee Channel, http://www.themilwaukeechannel.com.
