Update on the E. coli O157:H7 Outbreak in St. Louis Region Linked to Schnucks Salad Bars
The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS), CDC and FDA continue their investigation of the E. coli O157:H7 outbreak in the St. Louis region that has been linked by epidemiological evidence to Schnucks salad bars. DHSS and the FDA are investigating the processing facilities of companies that supplied Schnucks with salad bar ingredients. The CDC is doing additional epidemiological studies.
Additional laboratory analysis is being done on E. coli isolates to determine who was sickened in the outbreak. Of the 51 people tested, 32 have confirmed cases of infection from the outbreak strain of E. coli O157:H7.
One of the specimens collected November 2, 2011 tested positive for the strain of E. coli observed in the outbreak, including the specific “fingerprint” analysis. However, that individual is considered a “secondary case” – one caused by exposure to an individual with the illness, not by exposure to the source of the illness. If the secondary case was caused by exposure to an E. coli victim who ate from a Schnucks salad bar, the person with the secondary case may have a claim against Schnucks and others. Contact Fred Pritzker for a free consultation.
