Minnesota E. coli Outbreak Linked to Taco John's
MINNESOTA E. COLI OUTBREAK LINKED TO GROUND BEEF SOLD AT BYERLY'S AND LUNDS STORES - MINNESOTA E. COLI LAWYER: Minnesota E. coli lawyer Fred Pritzker has extensive experience with Escherichia coli O157:H7 (E. coli O157:H7) lawsuits. He has obtained settlements in excess of one million dollars for victims of Minnesota E. coli outbreaks linked to ground beef. He has gained a national reputation in this area and has been interviewed by the New York Times, Wall Street Journal,and other publications. In recognition of his accomplishments, he has been included in The Best Lawyers in America and has been named, once again, a "Minnesota Super Lawyer" by Minnesota Law & Politics magazine.
To contact Fred Pritzker, call toll-free at 1-888-377-8900 or e-mail Fred Pritzker.
Below is information on a past Minnesota E. coli outbreak linked to Taco John's restaurants. We will provide updated information on the Minnesota E. coli outbreak linked to Byerly's and Lunds as the information becomes available.
Minnesota Department of Health Investigates E. coli Infections Linked to Taco John's
The Minnesota Department of Health has identified several people with E. coli infections or probable E. coli infections in the Albert Lea and Austin area that may be linked to Taco John’s restaurants. Interviews with three patients indicated they ate at the Taco John’s restaurant in Albert Lea during the period from Nov. 30 to Dec. 2, which is within the time period associated with the Taco John’s E. coli outbreak in Iowa, Nov. 28 through Dec. 6.
The Minnesota Department of Health is working cooperatively with the Minnesota Department of Agriculture and the restaurant owner to inspect the facility, collect and analyze samples from the restaurant and assess possible sources of the illnesses.
“We do not yet know whether these cases in Minnesota are actually linked to any cases in Iowa,” said Dr. Kirk Smith, who supervises foodborne investigation for MDH. “We won’t know that conclusively until we can conduct genetic fingerprint analysis on samples, and that won’t be complete for at least two days. However, because of concern over the Iowa cases and our preliminary findings in Minnesota, we wanted to make residents aware of our investigation.”
At this point, Smith said, there is no indication that this outbreak is related to the recent Taco Bell-associated E. coli O157 outbreak in the Northeastern United States.
Symptoms of E. coli O157 illness include stomach cramps and diarrhea. Bloody diarrhea may develop. E. coli O157 disease sometimes leads to a serious complication called hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), which can cause kidney failure. People typically become ill two to five days after eating contaminated food. E. coli O157 disease should not be treated with antibiotics, which can cause additional complications.
Anyone who has eaten at a Taco John’s restaurant since Thanksgiving and has experienced bloody diarrhea is asked to call the Minnesota Department of Health at 651-201-3920 or 1-800-657-3903 between 5 and 8 p.m. today (Monday) and 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Tuesday through Friday. If you are diagnosed with E. coli, please contact Pritzker | Ruohonen toll-free at 1-888-377-8900 or fill out the firm’s online consultation form.
There have been no reports of anyone developing hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) from an E. coli infection linked to Taco John's in Minnesota. HUS causes kidney damage (often kidney failure) and is the leading cause of death from an E. coli infection. If your family member has HUS, damages sought in a lawsuit should be substantial. If someone dies of HUS, the family can make a Minnesota wrongful death claim.
