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Alabama E. coli outbreak May be Linked to Church Supper

By Pritzker | Ruohonen

Eight cases of E. coli have been associated with a church supper at Eastern Shore First Baptist Church. 5 of the 8 were hospitalized. One boy is still hospitalized.

According to the Press-Register:  

Out of approximately 150 people interviewed by the health department as of Monday morning, 20 said they were ill, Porter said. Eight cultures have tested positive for E. coli O157:H7, a strain of the bacteria that can cause severe illness, [according to Theresa Porter, a Baldwin County surveillance nurse coordinator for the Alabama Department of Public Health Porter].

Three patients -- ages 15, 74 and 81 -- were admitted to Thomas Hospital in Fairhope between Thursday and Saturday, said Diana Brewer, a spokeswoman for Infirmary Health System, which operates Thomas. All were discharged by Sunday, she said.

Three others -- ages 10, 11 and 11 -- were treated for the bacteria with fluids and released, or referred to the hospital for lab work by a local physician.

Porter and Wilson [Ken Wilson, associate pastor of the Daphne church] said it may be difficult to identify the exact source of the bacteria because of the wide variety of food served at the event. Some of the food was prepared and brought to the dinner, while some people donated meat to be cooked for the event, Wilson said.

To read more about the Alabama E. coli outbreak linked to Eastern Shore First Baptist Church, click here.  

Full post as published by Food Poisoning Law Blog on February 27, 2008 (boomark / email).