St. Louis E. Coli Outbreak Sickens 36
Over the last four weeks, three dozen people have been sickened by the St. Louis E. coli outbreak. Health officials leading the investigation believe that the infection rate has peaked, but say they still have not been able to determine the source.
Interviews with patients established a link to salad bars at Schnucks grocery stores, but E. coli contamination was never found in any Schuncks store location. The investigation, which now includes suppliers and distributors to Schnucks stores, has included testing on 55 food samples.The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is now the lead agency for the investigation.
The E. coli strain at the heart of this outbreak caused severe illness and many patients required hospitalization. Although there are now 36 confirmed cases, it's likely many more people who weren't tested also became ill, according to the CDC.
E. coli poisoning symptoms include abdominal cramping and bloody diarrhea and in severe cases, hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) or TTP HUS, thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura, which can cause kidney failure, stroke, heart attacks, and brain injuries.
The E. coli experts at the national food safety law firm PritzkerOlsen P.A. can answer legal questions about an illnesses or hospitalizations associated with this outbreak. Contact them for a free consultation.
