E coli » E. coli Outbreak

Hartmann Testifies Regarding Dairy Linked to E. coli Outbreak

Kathy Will — Wed, 08 Sep 2010 22:10:10 +0000

Dairy farmer Mike Hartmann testified in a Sibley County, Minnesota courtroom yesterday in an attempt to recover food confiscated by state officials during an investigation into a May, 2010 E. coli O157 outbreak that was linked to raw (unpasteurized) milk produced at his dairy. The outbreak sickened at least 8 people, including a toddler who developed hemolytic uremic syndrome, a severe illness that causes kidney failure and can be fatal.

In June, 28 environmental and animal samples obtained by the Minnesota Department of Health from the Hartmann farm tested positive for E. coli O157:H7. Twenty-six samples had the same DNA fingerprint as the outbreak strain of E. coli O157:H7.

Also in June, state officials confiscated milk, ice cream, cheese and other dairy products from Hartmann’s farm. Hartmann wants the confiscated food back. The state alleges that his dairy operation was unsanitary and the dairy products were adulterated under Minnesota law. The state wants the confiscated products from the Hartmann farm destroyed.

BJ’s Wholesale Club Ground Beef Recall for E. coli 026

Fred Pritzker — Sun, 29 Aug 2010 13:27:20 +0000

The only retailer identified so far as a distributor of recalled Cargill ground beef that may be contaminated with E. coli 026 is BJ’s Wholesale Club stores in eight northeastern and eastern states.

USDA has associated the Cargill E. coli ground beef recall with three confirmed illnesses caused by the identical strain of E. coli 026. There are two cases in Maine and one in New York. The agency’s initial Cargill ground beef recall distribution list includes 26 BJ’s Wholesale Club stores in Maine, New York, Connecticut, Maryland, Virginia, New Hampshire, New Jersey and New York.

An active E. coli ground beef investigation is continuing. The tainted Cargill ground beef was produced June 11 for use or freezing by July 1. People started to get sick June 24. Public health officials at the state and federal level are concerned that more outbreak cases could surface if consumers unknowingly pull recalled ground beef from their home freezers for meal preparation.

Cargill’s recalled ground beef was sold to BJ’s Wholesale Club in 42-pound cases. Fourteen-pound “chubs” inside the cases were for repackaging into trays of ground beef for sale in BJ’s Wholesale Club meat cases. The products subject to recall bear the establishment number “EST. 9400″ inside the USDA mark of inspection. The Class I recall covers 8,500 pounds of Cargill ground beef.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, E. coli O157:H7 causes 73,000 illnesses and 50 deaths every year in the United States. Another six E. coli strains – including O26 — are less pervasive but just as capable of causing severe illness, including hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS).

Due to a gaping shortfall in federal law, only E. coli 0157:H7 is banned from ground beef as an adulterant. The prohibition hasn’t ended E. coli 0157:H7 contamination, but it has forced meatpackers to constantly test for it and it also calls for routine government testing of the products.

Maine E. coli Ground Beef Investigation

Fred Pritzker — Sat, 28 Aug 2010 14:24:53 +0000

A Maine E. coli ground beef investigation traced E. coli 026 illnesses in Maine and New York to Cargill ground beef recalled early today in conjunction with USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS).

An FSIS ground beef recall announcement said Cargill Meat Solutions Corp of Pennsylvania is recalling 8.500 pounds of ground beef that may be contaminated with E. coli 026, a potentially lethal human pathogen. The meat was produced June 11 and sold in 14-pound “chubs” to retailers who repackaged it for meat case display. The affected store brands haven’t been announced yet. The tainted ground beef was initially shipped to distribution centers in Connecticut and Maryland for further sale.

Two people from Maine and one from New York have been infected by the same identical strain of E. coli 026 and health investigators in the two states are continuing their efforts to learn the extent of this outbreak. Cargill is a large multi-national corporation that has been involved in E. coli ground beef recalls and outbreaks in the past. FSIS has found a convincing association between the Maine and New York E. coli cases and ground beef from Cargill.

Eating ground beef is a well-established mode of shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC). The most prevalent type of STEC is O157:H7, but E. coli 026 also produces shiga toxin that attacks a person’s red blood cells. In 5 to 15 percent of STEC infections, patients develop hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) or thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP), a related condition.

HUS is the leading cause of kidney failure, worldwide, in children. It also can damage other parts of a person’s body, including the heart, brain and central nervous system. HUS in children is deadly in about 5 percent of cases.

Here is the Cargill E. coli ground beef recall announcement:

The products subject to recall bear the establishment number “EST. 9400″ inside the USDA mark of inspection. The recall includes 42-pound cases of “GROUND BEEF FINE 90/10,” containing three (3) – approximately 14 pound chubs each. These products have a “use/freeze by” date of “07/01/10,” and an identifying product code of “W69032.”

Three Children Who Attended Grand Traverse County Fair Contract E. coli Infections

Kathy Will — Thu, 26 Aug 2010 04:26:42 +0000

Grand Traverse County health officials are investigating a cluster of E. coli O157:H7 infections in three children who attended the Grand Traverse County Fair. The connection between the three children stops there, however. They did not eat food from the same vendors or tend the same animals.

The first two cases of E. coli O157 was reported to the health department last Friday. The third case was reported on Monday. Health officials have sent E. coli isolates taken from the three children to a lab for genetic testing to determine if they have the same genetic fingerprint. This would be evidence that all of the children were sickened by the same E. coli source.

Health officials have taken environmental samples throughout the fairgrounds, including water samples, to try to find the source of the outbreak. Extremely small amounts of E. coli bacteria can result in infection and serious illness, including hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), which can cause kidney failure, brain damage, pancreatitis, blindness and death. The water was tested before the fair began, and E. coli bacterium were not found, but this does not mean it was free of the bacteria when the children visited.

The Grand Traverse County Health Department learned about two cases on Friday and a third on Monday, but officials haven’t been able to connect them except through the annual fair in Blair Township.

The children, who are not related, range from 5 to 15 years old. They did not work with the same livestock and did not eat from the same vendors, said Fred Keeslar, department health officer.

“We were hoping to find some common links, but didn’t,” he said.

Health officials have no positive proof the outbreak originated at the fair, but it remains the likeliest connection.

“There are lots of animals coming together and people touching animals that are kicking up dust,” Keeslar said.

Humans may be exposed to E. coli through contact with animal fecal matter. Symptoms include vomiting, stomach cramps and diarrhea, sometimes bloody diarrhea.

“It can lead to, in the worst case, renal failure and death,” Keeslar said.

Further testing is under way to pinpoint the specific type of E. coli. The best preventative measure is frequent hand-washing when in contact with barnyard animals.

Fair President Dana Cederquist could not be reached for comment.

Nancy Schroeder, secretary for the Northwest Michigan 4-H Livestock Council, said sanitation and hand-washing is part of annual plans at the fair.

“We have five hand-washing stations with running water and antibacterial soap. We also have hand sanitizer at the petting zoo,” she said.

Schroeder said fair-goers are encouraged to wash their hands before and after contacting animals, with warnings on banners hung at the fairgrounds, as well as signs posted at all barn entrances and in the restrooms.

“We try to make the public aware and we try to provide them with what they need on the grounds,” she said.

Darrel Robinson, president of the livestock council, said the bacteria associated with the ill children is a known risk with livestock and the reason warnings are prominently displayed across the fairgrounds. Additionally, fair planners participate in annual biohazard training in preparation for the fair, he said.

At least two of the stricken children are not involved with 4-H, though the third could have handled livestock, Keeslar said.

Shiga toxin-producing E. coli, also called STEC infections, can affect people of any age, though the very young and elderly are the most susceptible, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

STEC live in the guts of cud-chewing hoofed animals, including cattle, goats and sheep, though the primary source for human illnesses is cattle. Other kinds of animals, including pigs and birds, sometimes pick up STEC from the environment and may spread it, according to the CDC.

Keeslar said all three infected Grand Traverse area children are expected to fully recover, though the 5-year-old remained hospitalized on Tuesday. The other two children were treated and released.

Officials tested water sources at the fairgrounds before the week-long event and on Tuesday took new samples to verify whether water became contaminated. Results are expected in several days, Keeslar said.

Health officials notified area doctors to watch for STEC symptoms in their patients because those who came into contact with the bacteria but didn’t become ill could still spread the infection to others, particularly those with weakened immune systems.

Child E. coli HUS case Prompts Look at County Fair

Fred Pritzker — Wed, 25 Aug 2010 03:52:49 +0000

Three children aged 5 through 15 were all sickened by shiga toxin-producing E. coli after attending the Northwestern Michigan County Fair. If the cause of the illnesses came from the fair, officials say the most likely source of transmission was contact with animals that carried the bacteria.

The cluster of E. coli is being investigated by the Michigan state health authority and the Grand Traverse County Health Department. 9 & 10 News reported tonight that one of the children remains hospitalized. Children under 5 are in the age group most susceptible to developing a complication of E. coli infection known as hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). HUS can keep children hospitalized for lengthy periods with kidney failure and many other impairments caused by the toxin.

Michigan health officials are taking the opportunity of the outbreak to remind families to practice strict hand hygiene at county fairs and other animal exhibits. Cattle and other animals shed E. coli from their feces and it can survive on the hides of cattle and other animals.

Canadian E. coli Outbreak Associated With Festival

Fred Pritzker — Tue, 24 Aug 2010 12:41:54 +0000

At least 26 people have fallen sick from a suspected E. coli outbreak in Winnipeg, Manitoba. Canadian health officials have associated the majority of cases with food eaten at the Russsian pavilion of the annual Folklorama multicultural festivals, CBC News-Radio Canada reports. The Winnipeg Regional Health Authority issued a warning last week after 15 suspected cases had surfaced since the beginning of August.

Of those who have become sick, 14 have been confirmed to have E. coli, including two children who are still recovering in hospital, according to the CBC report. Folklorama ended August 14, but there is a risk of secondary infection. Once someone has eaten contaminated food, the infection can be passed person to person, by hand-to-mouth contact.

Valley Meat E. coli Recall Amended

Fred Pritzker — Sat, 21 Aug 2010 12:04:01 +0000

USDA has ammended its recall announcement regarding Valley Meat Company, Modesto, California, a meatpacker that recalled about 1 million pounds of frozen hamburger patties and other ground beef due to possible E. coli 0157:H7 contamination. The meat has been associated with a cluster of 7 E. coli infections in people who live in California.

The recall announcement is being amended to revise the geographic distribution and to note that some of the recalled products were distributed to a firm in California for further processing. The further-processing facility is not named. The products subject to recall bear the establishment number “EST. 8268″ inside the USDA mark of inspection as well as a production code of 27509 through 01210. These products were produced on various dates between Oct. 2, 2009 and Jan. 12, 2010. They were distributed to retail outlets and institutional foodservice providers in California, Nevada, Washington, Oregon, Arizona and internationally, and to a firm in California for further processing, the amended recall said.

USDA became aware of the problem on July 15 when the agency was notified by the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) of a small E. coli O157:H7 cluster of illnesses with a rare strain as determined by DNA fingerprinting. A total of six patients with illness onset dates between April 8 and June 18, 2010 were reported at that time. After further review, CDPH added another patient from February to the case count, bringing the count to seven.

FSIS is continuing to work with the CDPH and the company on the investigation. Anyone with signs or symptoms of foodborne illness should contact a health care provider.

Valley Meat Co. E.coli Recall Retail List Posted

Fred Pritzker — Wed, 11 Aug 2010 21:28:48 +0000

The Valley Meat Company E. coli recall distribution list has been posted by the USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS). On August 6, the Modesto, California company recalled about one million pounds of ground beef that could potentially be contaminated with E. coli. The recall came after an E. coli outbreak in which seven people became sick. Federal health officials began investigating the cluster of illnesses after the California Department of Public Health notified them that the E. coli O157:H7 cases matched the same PFGE pattern, or “genetic fingerprint.”

Valley Meat Company E. coli Recall Retail Distribution List

Meat was recalled from stores in Arizona, California, Hawaii, Texas, Nevada, Washington and Oregon. The Recalled products were manufactured from Oct. 2009-Jan. 2010. The establishment number on the recalled frozen beef products is EST. 8268 and the production codes are 25709 through 01210.

Times Super Market
King Market
Oak Creek Market, Inc.
Four Corners Market
Anza Village Market
Big Trees Market
Spencers Fresh Market
Ponderosa Market
Banning Village Market
Rio Ranch Market
My T Fine Foods
Ben Lomand Market
Andronico’s Markets, Inc.
Manor Market Inc
Boron Food Mart, Inc.
Dinsmor Store
Mollie Stones
Mike’s Discount Food Market
P W Supermarket Inc.
Page’s Market
Al Mancasola’s Grocery Markets
Farmers Fresco Supermarket
Foods Etc.
Oaks Red and White
Colfax Sierra Market
Solano Market
The Original Irvine Ranch Market
Best Deal Food Company Inc.
Del Sol Market
El Sol Market
Erickson Supermarket
Fairway Stores
IGA
J. Solanki Meat
McKays
Mi Pueblo San Jose Inc.
Safeway
Select Markets
Super A Foods, Inc.
Super Center Concepts, Inc
Ukas Big Saver Foods
Vons
Buy-Low Market
Glazier’s Food Marketplace
Mariana’s
The Sierra Nevada Trading Company
PC Hometown Market
Two Boys Grocery
Hometown Foods Drain
Red Apple
Halsey Select Market
Jefferson Hometown Market
Stewarts Market
Martins Food Center
Mill City Market Place
Mohler Co-Op
Steve’s Market
Food 4 Less
Price Slasher
Mt Hood Foods
Jack’s Family Market
Ken & Sons Select
Shady Cove Market
Sheridan Select
Noels Market Inc
Stanfield Main St Market
Thriftway
Sentry
Main Street Market
Auburn’s Main Street Market
Matthew’s Thriftway
Ralph’s Red Apple Market
Andy’s Market
Plaza Market
Holcomb’s Market
Bridle Trails Red Apple
Cascade Mercantile
Food Emporium
Pay-Less Supermarkets

Clark County, WA Warns of Possible E coli O157 Risk

Kathy Will — Mon, 09 Aug 2010 12:27:26 +0000

A child who recently tested positive for E. coli O157:H7 attended a supervised play area at Lake Shore Athletic Club near Vancouver, Washington while possibly contagious. Clark County Public Health and Lake Shore managers are asking parents to watch for symptoms among children who visited the play area between July 10 and August 4.

Clark county health officials continue to work with Lake Shore management to contain the situation and eliminate any risk of additional exposures. The child’s positive test for E. coli was reported to Public Health by a clinical laboratory. The original source of the infection is not known. In a continuing investigation, Public Health is contacting people who may have been exposed at the athletic club or at other locations visited by the infected child or others who have reported symptoms possibly related to the incident.

To date, there are 30 probable cases of E coli O157 in the area that are associated with Lake Shore Athletic Club. Four of the probable cases are staff members of the athletic club and 28 are children who attended the supervised child care center.

Children who contract E coli O157:H7 infections are at risk for developing hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS-E coli), a severe illness that causes kidney failure, brain damage and death. Clark county officials recommend that children with symptoms of an E coli infection should see a health care provider immediately. In addition, their parents should contact Public Health at (360) 397-8022. The initial symptoms of an E coli O157:H7 infection include nausea, vomiting and diarrhea that may be bloody.

Valley Meat Beef Recall Follows E. coli Outbreak

Marni Ginther — Fri, 06 Aug 2010 13:57:00 +0000

Valley Meat Company of Modesto, CA has recalled one million pounds of ground beef following an E. coli outbreak in California, according to the USDA’s Food Safety Inspection Service (FSIS). Seven people have been sickened in the outbreak, which federal health officials began investigating in July after receiving notification from the California Department of Public Health regarding a cluster of E. coli O157:H7 cases that all matched the same PFGE pattern, or “genetic fingerprint.”

Distributed to institutional foodservice facilities and retail locations in Arizona, California, Texas and Oregon, the beef products were manufactured from Oct. 2009-Jan. 2010. The establishment number on the recalled frozen beef products is EST. 8268 and the production codes are 25709 through 01210. FSIS will post retail distribution information updates as that information becomes available. The FSIS is concerned that consumers may still have frozen recalled product in their freezers at home that could potentially be contaminated. FSIS advises consumers to check freezers to see if any of the following recalled products are there, and discard them immediately:

Valley Meat Company Beef Recall: Product Details

(#2155) *IQF* 80/20% BEEF PATTIES 8/1R
(#2503) SMASHBURGER 40/7 OZ. – VAC PACK
(#2510) IQF 80/20% BEEF PATTIES 2/1 OVAL
(#2515) *IQF* 80/20% BEEF PATTIES 2/1 R
(#2535) IQF 80/20% BEEF PATTIES 3/1 OVAL
(#2545) IQF 80/20% BEEF PATTIES 3/1R
(#2575) *IQF* 80/20% BEEF PATTIES 4/1R
(#2595) IQF – 80/20% PATTIES 4/1R THIN
(#2605) *IQF* 80/20% BEEF PATTIES 5/1R
(#2635) *IQF* 80/20% BEEF PATTIES 6/1R
(#2668) BEEF CHUCK PATTIES 7 OZ- 21#
(#3075) *IQF* 85/15% PATTIES 4/1R USFI
(#3090) ‘RPQ’ 85/15 PATTIES 160/4 OZ.
(#3325) “RPQ” 90/10 BEEF PATTIES 40/4 OZ
(#3350) 90/10% BEEF PATTIES 160/4 OZ.
(#3450)SUPREMAS BEEF PATTIES 12/3#
(#3519) *IQF* 4/1 SOY PATTIES 80/20%
(#3520) *IQF* 5/1 SOY PATTIES 80/20%
(#3522) *IQF* 6/1 SOY PATTIES 80/20%
(#3675) BEEF SOY PATTIES RETAIL 6/5#
(#3700) 73/27% RETAIL PATTIES – 12/3#
(#3705) 73/27% RETAIL PATTIES – 6/5#
(#3710) 73/27% RETAIL PATTIES – 8/3#
(#3715) BIGGER VALLEY BURGER – 6/5#
(#3725) 80/20 BIGGER BURGER 12/3#
(#3751) 80/20% RETAIL PATTIES 12/3#
(#3800) 85/15% RETAIL PATTIES – 12/3#
(#3850) BLACK ANGUS BURGER 12/2# BOX
(#3875) 93/7% BEEF PATTIES 12/3# RETAIL
(#3880) SAFEWAY 73/27 RETAIL BOXES 8#
(#3882) SAFEWAY 73/27 PATTIES 12/2.5#
(#3883) SAFEWAY 80/20 PATTIES 12/2.5#
(#4000) 73/27% GROUND BEEF 10/1#
(#4001) 73/27% GROUND BEEF 20/2#
(#4005) 73/27% GROUND BEEF – 40/1#
(#4015) 73/27% GROUND BEEF 4/5#
(#4020) 73/27% GROUND BEEF – 8/5#
(#4030) 73/27% GROUND BEEF 4/10#
(#4035) 73/27% GROUND BEEF 15/3#
(#4300) 80/20% GROUND BEEF 10/1#
(#4305) 80/20% GROUND BEEF – 40/1#
(#4310) 80/20% GROUND BEEF 4/5#
(#4315) 80/20% GROUND BEEF 8/5#
(#4325) 80/20% GROUND BEEF – 4/10#
(#4326)*FRESH** 80/20% GROUND BEEF 4/10#
(#4328)80/20 GROUND BEEF 4/10# WHITE BOX
(#4329) ‘RPQ’ 80/20% GROUND BEEF 4/10#
(#4335)80/20% GROUND BEEF 2/5# – PRINTED
(#4610) 85/15% GROUND BEEF 4/5#
(#4615) 85/15% GROUND BEEF 8/5#
(#4625) “RPQ” 85/15% GROUND BEEF 4/10#
(#4630) 85/15% G B 4/10# CLEAR-generic
<>(#4915) 90/10% GROUND BEEF – 8/5#
(#4925) 90/10% GROUND BEEF 4/10# / WHITE
(#4930) 90/10% G B 4/10# / CLEAR-generic
(#4980) 93/7% GROUND BEEF 4/10#
(2714) HEARST 80/20 PATTIES 5/1R -10#
(2715) HEARST GROUND BEEF 12/1# RETAIL

E. coli food poisoning infections can lead to life-threatening complications such as hemolytic uremic syndrome (E.coli HUS) especially in children, the elderly and people with weak immune systems. Anyone who thinks they may have an E. coli infection from contaminated ground beef should visit a doctor immediately and get tested for the E. coli O157:H7 bacteria.