July 12, 2009: Cuyahoga County Health Officials Investigating E. Coli O157:H7 Cases

The Cuyahoga County Board of Health announced that it is investigating three cases of E. coli O157:H7 infection in children.  All three children developed Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome (HUS).  HUS is a serious complication of E. coli O157:H7 infection. HUS occurs in about 2%-7% of E. coli infections, and is characterized by destruction of red blood cells, damage to the lining of blood vessel walls, and in severe cases, kidney failure.  Children and the elderly are at greatest risk for developing HUS.  HUS is the principal cause of acute kidney failure in children in the United States.

Two other cases of HUS in Ohio children are also being investigated for a connection to E. coli infection.

State public health officials and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) are currently investigating two nationwide E. coli outbreaks, the Nestle Cookie Dough E. coli Outbreak and the JBS Swift Beef E. coli Outbreak.

JBS Swift beef was shipped to processors and grocery retailers.  The recalled JBS beef may be difficult for consumers to identify since it was sold under multiple labels.  Please see JBS Swift E. coli Recall for a partial list of affected products.

If you or a family member has suffered from E. coli food poisoning, and you have a question about your legal rights, you can request a free case evaluation from our firm by clicking on free case evaluation. You may also contact us toll free at 1-877-934-6274.

For more than 25 years, the Law Firm of Eric H. Weinberg has been committed to obtaining compensation for individuals injured by defective pharmaceutical drugs, medical devices, and food poisoning outbreaks.  We are currently assisting individuals injured by Hydroxycut, Zicam, and the quinalone antibiotics Levaquin and Ciprofloxacin.

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July 12, 2009: Beef E. coli Outbreak Update

In its last statement regarding the JBS Swift E coli outbreak, dated July 1, 2009, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that there are a total of 23 E. coli food poisoning cases from 9 states linked to the recalled beef.  At that time, the CDC made the following statement:

Twenty-three persons infected with a strain of E. coli O157:H7 with a particular “DNA fingerprint” have been reported from 9 states. Of these, 17 have been confirmed by an advanced DNA test as having the outbreak strain; confirmatory tests are pending on others. The number of ill persons identified in each state is as follows: California (4), Maine (1), Michigan (6), Minnesota (1), New Hampshire (1), New Jersey (2), New Mexico (1), New York (1) and Wisconsin (6).

Most ill persons reported consumption of ground beef, and many reported that it was undercooked. Ground beef with the outbreak strain was obtained from the home of one person infected with that strain. The first reported illness began on April 2, 2009, and the last began on June 13, 2009. Among 17 ill persons for whom hospitalization status is known, 12 (70%) were hospitalized. Two patients developed a type of kidney failure called hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). No deaths have been reported. Of patients with available information, 14 (64%) were male and 59% are less than 19 years old (range 2 to 74 years).

Below is a partial list of the companies affected by the recall with links to their product recall information.

BJ’s Wholesale Club, Bloom and Food Lion, CostCo Food 4 Less, Frye’s Stores, HEB, Hannaford Bros., Kroger, Price Chopper, Roundy’s Supermarkets Inc., Smiths Foods and Drug Stores, Stop & Shop Supermarket Company, Sweetbay Supermarket and WinCo Foods, LLC stores.

The Law Firm of Eric H. Weinberg is currently assisting victims of food poisoning outbreaks nationwide.  We are ready to help you.  Please submit a Case Evaluation Form or call us toll free at 1-877-934-6274, for a free legal consultation.

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