Internal documents reveal that State Health Department officials allowed the Locust Grove Country Cottage restaurant in Oklahoma to remain open temporarily—despite confirming six of eight initial food poisoning victims had eaten its food—in the largest E. coli O111 outbreak in United States history.

Health Department officials admitted last week there is no set ceiling in such cases for closing a restaurant suspected of being the source of an outbreak.  Meanwhile, one person died, 72 were hospitalized, and 241 people fell ill before the outbreak of a rare, but potentially deadly, form of E. coli was finally contained.  “Obviously, with an outbreak this large in scope, there will be lessons learned that we can apply to future outbreak investigations,” Health Department spokeswoman Leslea Bennet-Webb said. (more…)

Last week we reported on an ongoing E. coli outbreak in which 10 people were diagnosed with a food borne illness and one child was hospitalized.  The Vermont Department of Health issued two warnings against the consumption of undercooked meat in response to the growing E. coli infection that was initially thought to be linked to a single source of ground beef distributed to “a few restaurants in Vermont.”  Late last week we reported that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) confirmed that contamination was traced to the Vermont Livestock, Slaughter, and Processing Company located in Ferrisburgh.

Now, federal officials are reporting that despite that tests of suspicious ground beef revealed no E. coli they are certain they located the source of the Vermont outbreak.  Vermont Livestock Slaughter and Processing recalled over 2,758 pounds of ground beef Thursday.  Owner Carl Cushing said that while none of the government’s tests found E. coli in his meat, he would cooperate in the interest of safety.

Laura Reiser, a spokeswoman for the USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS), confirmed Friday that tests of Cushing’s beef came back negative, but said that did not mean there was no E. coli, explaining that testing is performed by taking a random sample from a batch of meat and testing it; therefore, E. coli can have a ‘local presence” in a batch of meat and thus remain undetected, she pointed out.  “Even if a test is negative, it’s possible that the E. coli wasn’t in the part that was (tested),” she said. (more…)

Water officials in Fulton, New York say it will be at least until this Wednesday before they lift the boil water advisory that was put in effect when it was discovered that the water system there was contaminated with the E. coli bacteria.  Right now, testing is ongoing to see if the city’s water supply still contains the E. Coli bacteria and officials are working to “clean flush the system and clean out the bacteria.” Officials are also flushing fire hydrants and taking water samples from schools, hospitals, and other major water users citywide to ensure the E. coli has not spread to other areas.  While all Fulton schools will be open today, students will be provided with bottled water and any other necessary provisions.

Officials remain unclear as to how the E. coli bacteria entered the water system; however, they were able to locate the contaminated areas. 

”It’s isolated to the north-eastern quadrant of the city, but we have to notify the whole city,” said Dan O’Brian, Fulton Water Works.  Health officials do suggest that all residents boil their water for at least one minute before using it, or use bottled water. (more…)

Those who have fallen ill from E. coli contamination linked to the Harvey’s chain restaurant in Ontario’s North Parry area has risen to 26 since last week.  The North Bay Parry Sound District Health Unit also confirmed yesterday that an additional 133 cases are being investigated to determine if they are linked to undercooked beef served at Harvey’s in North Bay.  Harvey’s has been closed since last Sunday.  Those sickened range in age from one-year-old to 90 years old.

North Parry health officials now believe that there are likely other cases that span Ontario because many of the Harvey’s customers traveled on the nearby Trans Canada Highway.  Medical authorities throughout Ontario have begun to investigate potential cases as well.  Dr. Catherine Whiting, the North Bay health unit’s medical officer, said more cases are likely to come.  “Although the number of new cases of E. coli O157: H7 is slowing down, it is essential that everyone prevent the spread of the bacteria by taking precautions, such as continuing thorough hand washing practices,” she said.  “As we refine our investigation, the numbers of cases directly linked to the outbreak may change.” (more…)

We have been reporting this week on an E. coli outbreak in which 10 people were diagnosed with a food borne illness and one child was hospitalized.  The Vermont Department of Health issued two warnings against the consumption of undercooked meat in response to the growing E. coli infection that was initially thought to be linked to a single source of ground beef distributed to “a few restaurants in Vermont.”  Now, the contamination has been traced to the Vermont Livestock, Slaughter, and Processing Company located in Ferrisburgh, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) said.

In response, the USDA recalled over a ton of ground beef processed at the plant and distributed to restaurants, food services, and institutions in Vermont and Plattsburgh, New York, the USDA said.  The 2,758 pounds of ground beef subject to the recall was shipped in five-pound packages that are labeled VT BURGER CO GROUND BEEF and that bear the number EST 9558 inside the USDA mark of inspection with a lot code of 090508A, 090808A, 091208A, 091908A, or 092208A.  Also, the products were shipped two packages per box and were produced on September 5, 8, 12, 19, and 22. (more…)

Earlier this week we reported on an emerging E. coli outbreak in which eight people were diagnosed with a food borne illness that was possibly linked to undercooked ground beef.  Now, the Vermont Department of Health issued another warning against the consumption of undercooked meat in response to two new cases of E. coli infection.  All of those infected—including one child who was hospitalized—are recovering from bacterial illnesses, which health experts traced to a single source of ground beef distributed to “a few restaurants in Vermont,” according to a department release.

E. coli are a group of bacteria found in animal intestines and feces.  Some strains are necessary for digestion; some are harmful, even deadly, such as the very rare and toxin-producing strain E. coli O111 that made headlines in the recent Oklahoma outbreak representing the largest U.S. outbreak of E. coli O111 in history.  Also, of concern is the virulent, sometimes deadly E. coli O157:H7 strain that is generally found to be the culprit in E. coli-related food-borne illness outbreaks.  Both strains are among those E. coli that may cause serious disease and death and are in a group called Verocytotoxigenic E. coli (VTEC) that are linked to food poisoning.  VTECs are very serious and can cause fatal blood poisoning, cystitis, deadly septicemia, and death. (more…)

Aunt Mid’s, the company linked to an ongoing E. coli outbreak in connection with its large, industrial-sized iceberg lettuce salad packages, has resumed production of the packages at its Detroit facility.  Meanwhile, an investigation into an E.coli outbreak blamed on California lettuce used by Aunt Mid’s continues, Michigan health and agriculture officials reported yesterday.

The Michigan Department of Agriculture conducted product and environmental sample testing at Aunt Mid’s the last week of September, with additional testing conducted by the state health department, Michigan State University, the federal Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and Aunt Mid’s.  The tests all came back negative because, according to state health officials, lettuce from the outbreak was not available at the time of the testing. (more…)

The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) continues to work to isolate the source of two fatal cases of E. coli poisoning that claimed the lives of two children in as many days.  The deaths occurred in Seward and Chase counties in Kansas and the KDHE says the deaths were not related and were caused by different E. coli serotypes.

Both boys died after being taken to Wesley Medical Center in Wichita.  An 18-month-old died Wednesday; authorities remain unclear as to how he came into contact with the deadly bacteria.  His brother was also exposed, but will recover.  A Chase County four-year-old died Sunday.  “He’s the only case in Chase County right now,” said Cheryl Jones with the Chase County Health Department.  “He has an infant sister [that] is well and no one else associated with him has become ill.”  Jones says the deceased boy’s father is a rancher and because cow manure is a major E. coli source, the boy might have come into contact with and ingested cow manure or manure-tainted water. (more…)

The Associated Press is reporting on  yet another E. coli outbreak in which eight people have been diagnosed with food borne illnesses that seem to be possibly linked to undercooked ground beef.  The E. coli cases were reported in Vermont’s Chittenden and Washington counties.

Acting State Epidemiologist Patsy Kelso reported that the Vermont Health Department is working to track down the illness’ source, but were focused on ground beef.  Kelso also stated that all of the people who fell ill from apparent E. coli poisoning reported having eaten out.  Kelso warns that this does not mean that restaurants are the only source of E coli contaminated food.  The Health Department there is warning people not to eat undercooked hamburger and also recommends avoiding unpasteurized milk, and washing fruits and vegetables. (more…)

Canada’s North Bay Parry Sound District Health Unit is investigating a possible food borne E. coli outbreak.  Laboratory tests confirm at least one person is ill, with at least 13 other cases under investigation.  “We recommend that anyone who has these symptoms should seek medical attention,” said Dr. Catherine Whiting, medical officer of health with the unit.

E. coli are a group of bacteria found in animal intestines and feces.  Some strains are necessary for digestion; some are harmful, even deadly, such as the very rare and toxin-producing strain E. coli O111 that made headlines in the recent Oklahoma outbreak representing the largest U.S. outbreak of E. coli O111 in history.  Also, of concern is the virulent, sometimes deadly E. coli O157:H7 strain that is generally found to be the culprit in E. coli-related food-borne illness outbreaks.  Both strains are among those E. coli that may cause serious disease and death and are in a group called Verocytotoxigenic E. coli (VTEC) that are linked to food poisoning.  VTECs are very serious and can cause fatal blood poisoning, cystitis, deadly septicemia, and death.  In the US, E. coli is the leading cause of food-borne illness, accounting for about 73,000 infections and 61 deaths; last year, over 22 million pounds of beef and vegetables were recalled due to E. coli outbreaks. (more…)