Nebraska Roast Beef Outbreak
A recent E. coli outbreak in Nebraska associated with roast beef sickened at least 14 people. Epidemiological evidence indicated that those sickened ate the roast beef at a private event at a Sarpy County reception hall on March 26, 2008.
A positive E. coli test on leftover roast beef served at the event indicated that the roast beef was the source of the outbreak. The presence of E. coli was also confirmed in the 14 people that were sickened. Four of the fourteen were hospitalized. For privacy reasons, health officials did not provide information on the medical conditions of those sickened. Our law firm is a strong supporter of patient privacy, and we support state and local health officials in their decision to withhold medical information.
At this time, health officials do not know the serotype of the E. coli involved in the outbreak. E. coli serotype O157:H7 is frequently the cause of large outbreaks such as this. Health officials are awaiting additional test results to see if E. coli O157:H7 is indeed the source of this outbreak.
The roast beef was prepared at a person’s home and brought to the Sarpy County event. Health officials are still investigating how the beef got contaminated with E. coli. The U.S. Department of Agriculture is attempting to determine the producer of the beef, an important step towards prevention of further outbreaks.
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