Salad leaves “contaminated with cow feces” have been blamed for a major E. coli outbreak in the Midwest.
The St. Louis County Department of Public Health has reported 115 cases, including 13 hospitalizations, in Missouri and surrounding states.
Two people remain hospitalized, while three victims have been diagnosed with hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a rare but serious type of kidney disease.
Health inspectors say genetic testing and patients’ diets continue to suggest the source of the outbreak was leafy greens.
According to local news outlet KSDK, 25 of the cases confined to St. Louis were directly linked to a specific business, Andre’s Banquets and Catering, that served food at multiple events.
The events currently under investigation include two high school music events, two funerals and a veterans event, which took place between November 6 and 9.
At least four lawsuits have been filed against Andre’s in connection with the outbreak.
This includes a case filed by a mother whose child received emergency medical care after consuming food at an event hosted by Andre’s on November 8.
Salad leaves “contaminated with cow feces” have been blamed for a major E. coli outbreak in the north central US.
The legal complaint filed in St. Louis County Circuit Court details that the child developed symptoms two days after the event, including severe pain and bloody diarrhea.
Attorney Bill Marler represents about a dozen people affected by the E. Coli outbreak.
Based on his experience in similar cases, he suspects that the salad leaves were contaminated at their point of origin.
He told KSDK: ‘Everyone links these things to, frankly, cattle, and their cattle feces. It’s close to where they grow lettuce, too close to them.
Jory Lange, another attorney representing several affected families, encouraged other victims to come forward.
He explained: ‘This has really ruined people’s lives.
‘Some people have had acute kidney failure, HUS, which can cause E. coli, can lead to lifelong complications and problems.
“It’s a really big deal and it’s important that people know that they’re entitled to compensation for what they’ve been through.”
Whole genome sequencing (WGS) has revealed additional E. coli cases with matching profiles in several states, including Kansas, Illinois, North Dakota, South Dakota, Ohio, and Indiana.
Attorney Bill Marler represents about a dozen people affected by the E. Coli outbreak. Based on his experience, he suspects that the lettuce leaves were contaminated with cow feces.
John Armengol Jr, owner of Andre’s Banquets and Catering, issued a statement on Facebook in light of the incidents and said he “immediately cooperated” with the St. Louis County Department of Public Health.
It claims St. Louis County issued a press release “erroneously suggesting that Andre’s was the source of E. Coli” before the lettuce was tested.
In Mr. Armengol’s statement, issued on November 22, he added: ‘Earlier today, I was notified by an environmental public health specialist for the state of Missouri that tests performed on the samples came back negative for E. Coli.
“While I am relieved to learn of the NEGATIVE test results from the Missouri State Public Health Laboratory, I will continue to cooperate with state and local health departments as they work to determine the source of E. Coli that has caused illness in the region and which has resulted in people who did not attend any events affiliated with Andre contracting E. Coli.
Despite the negative result of the test conducted at Andre’s on an unopened bag of iceberg lettuce, the health department says it “does not conclusively rule out the salad as the source of the E. coli outbreak.”
Amanda Brzozowski, senior epidemiologist with the St. Louis County Health Department, says they’re almost certain it was a food product, but ‘We still don’t know if it’s on the farm, if it’s storage, processing, distribution.’
E. coli O157:H7 can cause dehydration, bloody diarrhea, and abdominal cramps for up to eight days after exposure.
While most people recover within a week, some develop a type of kidney failure called hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS).
This condition can occur in people of any age, but is most common in children under five years of age and older adults.
It is characterized by easy bruising, paleness, and decreased urine output, and those experiencing any of these symptoms have been advised to seek emergency medical care immediately.
Commenting on the investigation, which remains ongoing, Saint Louis County Department of Public Health Director Dr. Kanika Cunningham said, “With 25 cases linked to a specific business and no significant increase in cases expected new cases, we are confident that we are getting closer to the conclusion. of this outbreak investigation.
‘We are immensely grateful for the cooperation of affected individuals and families, particularly those who participated in the surveys. “This data has been essential to our progress and confidence in these findings.”