Home -> Law Blog Directory -> New Law Blogs Blogs -> Food Poisoning Law Blog

New Law Blogs

: Food Poisoning Law Blog

Two Confirmed Cases of E. coli in Cloquitt County, Georgia

By Pritzker | Ruohonen

There are now two confirmed cases of E. coli O157:H7 in Cloquitt County. Several other cases are probable. 

Southwest Georgia Public Health District Deputy Director Brenda Greene had this to say about the outbreak:

"This appears to be a cluster of E. coli 0157, which is one of the most commonly identified disease-causing groups of this bacteria in the United States. Public Health became involved last week after healthcare providers noticed a number of patients from Moultrie were experiencing similar symptoms. Symptoms ranged from stomach pain to bloody diarrhea."

The investigation is ongoing and we are doing everything we can to find out as quickly as possible what is behind the cluster of illnesses. In the meantime, we are urging people to practice good hand-washing and food preparation techniques to avoid this and other types of food-borne illnesses.

Symptoms of E. coli include stomach cramps, vomiting and diarrhea, which is often bloody. In some instances, fever occurs.

"Most people who become sick with E. coli become better within five to seven days without treatment. While some infections are very mild, others can be severe or even life-threatening," Greene said.

"If you are experiencing severe symptoms, you should consult your personal healthcare provider at once,"she said.

The investigation is focusing on patients who have been hospitalized or treated as outpatients, but is expected to expand to include persons who visited physicians or similar healthcare providers and did not go hospitals, she said.

Those most at risk of experiencing severe illness from E. coli include children, the elderly and people with compromised immune systems.

"As our disease investigators learn more, we will continue to update the community," said Greene. "We are looking for what the patients may have in common. Investigations such as these may take days or even weeks."

Along with looking at whether patients have foods or places and times they ate in common, investigators ask about activities such as swimming, since some disease-causing bacteria are found in water.

"Since we know illness occurs when E. coli bacteria are swallowed, we are reminding the public to take precautions when handling food,"Greene said. "At this time, however, we have not linked a type of food or any specific food item to the symptoms we are investigating."

Pritzker | Ruohonen is representing victims of E. coli outbreaks.  Our law firm has also recently settled an E. coli wrongful death case where an elderly woman contracted an E. coli outbreak that developed into hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS).  To contact our law firm, please call 1-888-377-8900 (toll-free), email Fred Pritzker or submit the firm's free case consultation form.

Full post as published by Food Poisoning Law Blog on July 01, 2008 (boomark / email).