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New Findings in Colorado Stock Show E. coli Outbreak

By PritzkerLaw

Since 1996 there have been more than 100 human infectious disease outbreaks involving animals in public settings reported to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

In 2000, two E. coli O157:H7 outbreaks at animal shows in Pennsylvania and Washington prompted the CDC to issue guidelines to acknowledge the risk factors: Direct animal contact and inadequate hand washing.

The latest major outbreak at an animal show was the E. coli O157:H7 outbreak at the National Western Stock Show in Denver, Colorado. The show ran from Jan. 10-25, 2009, drawing 650,000 attendees. When it was over, there were 29 confirmed cases of E. coli O157:H7 (19 primary and 10 secondary), including nine hospitalizations and two individuals with HUS, or hemolytic uremic syndrome, a severe complication most often in children that attacks their red blood cells and kidneys. The victims from the outbreak lived in seven counties along Colorado's front range.

National food safety law firm Pritzker Olsen Attorneys is representing survivors of this outbreak and is accepting additional cases. Recently, an update on the outbreak investigation was made public by the health agencies that conducted the probe.

According to the investigation update, the outbreak strains of E. coli were found in four samples taken from floor sweepings and mats on which animals stood on the third floor "Feed the Animals Exhibit.'' In the update, the definition of a case is described as one that was confirmed through stool sample; onset of illness since January 10; and with a genetic fingerprint matching one of two outbreak strains of E coli.

 E. coli O157:H7 at petting zoos is a well-known and preventable danger. In 2005, the National Association of State Public Health Veterinarians issued a document entitled "Compendium of Measures to Prevent Disease Associated with Animals in Public Setting.'' It was endorsed by a number or organizations, including the CDC. The document was updated in 2009 and it appears the National Western Stock Show failed to follow a number of these measures.

If you or someone you love contracted  E. coli 0157:H7 as part of the NWSS outbreak, contact an E. coli attorney at Pritzker Olsen. Our firm is one of America's most experience foodborne illness law firms and we have collected tens of millions of dollars for victims of E. coli, Salmonella and other infectious diseases.

If you would like to learn more about us, visit us on the web, call 1-888-377-8900 (Toll Free) or email firm president Fred Pritzker at fhp@pritzkerlaw.com. In addition, you can receive a free case consultation online by completing one of our forms.

Full post as published by Food Poisoning Law Blog on July 06, 2009 (boomark / email).