Northwestern Michigan Fair E. coli Cases
Three E. coli cases in children who attended the Northwestern Michigan Fair are under investigation by state and county health officials.
The illnesses began in the children between August 15-17. The Grand Traverse County Health Department said the victims appear to be infected with a shiga toxin-producing E. coli strain. E. coli 0157:H7 is the most prevalent shiga toxin E. coli, but there are many other types.
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Dr. Michael Collins, medical director for the county health department, told UpNorthLive.com that it seems likely the kids contracted their infections from animals at the fair, but officials also are testing the fairground's water supply.
Because of the cluster of E. coli illnesses, physicians in northwestern Michigan have been put on notice to order stool cultures for people showing symptoms of E. coli infection.
E. coli symptoms include abdominal cramping followed by diarrhea that progressively worsens and is often bloody.
In five to 15 percent of E. coli cases, the toxins enter the bloodstream, causing hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), which can lead to kidney failure, anemia, internal bleeding, and the destruction of vital organs.
About 5 percent of the children who develop hemolytic uremic syndrome are killed by it. Those who survive are often left with permanent disabilities, such as blindness or paralysis.
If your family is involved in the Northwestern Michigan Fair E. coli cluster, answers to your legal questions about compensation for medical expenses and other harms can be answered by an E. coli lawyer at PritzkerOlsen, P.A. at 1-888-377-8900 (Toll Free). Free case consultations also are available by completing the form on the side of this Web page.
PritzkerOlsen is a leading practitioner of foodborne illness litigation and has a record of winning lawsuits for people infected with E. coli and other pathogens at fairs, livestock shows and petting zoos.
