Source of Wisconsin E. coli Outbreak Unknown
UPDATE to information below (Sept. 18, 2006): On September 14, 2006, the FDA announced a nationwide E. coli outbreak linked to fresh bagged spinach, including baby spinach. Wisconsin is one of the eight affected states. The Manitowoc County E. coli outbreak is part of the larger, multi-state E. coli O157:H7 outbreak that has sickened over 100 people and killed at least one. For E. coli lawsuit information, contact Minneapolis, Minnesota, lawyer Fred Pritzker, one of the few attorneys in the United States with a national reputation in the area of foodborne illness litigation, including E. coli lawsuits. For a free consultation call toll-free at 1-888-377 or e-mail fhp@pritzkerlaw.com.
The following is the original entry dated September 12, 2006 with some modifications.
The Manitowoc County Health Department is investigating a recent Wisconsin E. coli outbreak that has sickened at least 7 people. According to a story in the Herald Times, the department is waiting for test results from a state lab to determine the source of the infections. Health officials are also interviewing victims of this Wisconsin E. coli outbreak regarding where they have been and what they have been in contact with.
The cases, which occurred from Aug. 26-Sept.1 in Wisconsin, are from areas throughout Manitowoc County and the victims are from all age groups.
Fresh produce, including, has also been the source of several outbreaks, including a recent one in Utah. Spinach and lettuce can be contaminated anywhere from farm to fork. One farm in California is suspected of being the source of several E. coli outbreaks, but health officials have never found the smoking gun. The farm is subject to periodic flooding, which saturates the soil with E. coli-contaminated water.
Pritzker | Ruohonen & Associates, P.A. is one of the few law firms 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 poisoning and other foodborne illnesses. To contact a lawyer at Pritzker | Ruohonen for a free consultation, call toll-free at 1-888-377-8900 or e-mail fhp@pritzkerlaw.com.
