Recently, as many as 47 people have become sickened due to what is believed to be an outbreak of E. coli food poisoning O145 in New York, Ohio and Michigan. Across the 3 states, 15 of these illnesses have been confirmed by laboratory testing. Of the other 32 individuals thought to be sickened by E. coli, test results are still pending.
Several have become ill in New York lately, and these illnesses are believed to be linked to the Michigan and Ohio outbreaks of E. coli O145 as well. It seems that most of these individuals are college students, particularly those attending Daemen College in Buffalo. Across all three states, it seems to be college students who have been hit the hardest.
While four food sources have been tested for the bacteria to date, nothing has turned up to indicate the source of this outbreak so far. Susan R. Cerniglia, a spokeswoman for Washtenaw Country Public Health, stated that samples tested in Michigan were not contaminated with E. coli O145, but this did not come as a surprise since the samples were collected after individuals became ill and developed e. coli symptoms of infection.
This outbreak affects students at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, and Ohio State University in Columbus. There are 8 confirmed cases of the infection in Michigan, 5 in Ohio, and 1 confirmed in New York, where at least 11 more may be affected.
Washtenaw County Public Health issued a news release on April 29th stating that “Local, state and federal health officials are working together to identify a food source, supplier, or distributor common to the affected areas.”
Epidemiological and trace-back investigations will be carried out by federal and state agencies; in the meantime, public health departments in these areas affected in New York, Michigan and Ohio counties are recommending anyone who develops symptoms of gastroenteritis to seek medical attention at once. Symptoms include abdominal cramps, nausea, diarrhea and occasional fever.
Foodborne illnesses normally cause only mild symptoms in healthy individuals, but can lead to serious complications in very young children, the elderly or those with a weakened immune system. Contact a New York food poisoning attorney with questions about E. coli, and to learn about any rights you may have. Unfortunately, not all personal injury attorneys in New York have experience in food poisoning cases, so make sure you choose a law firm with food poisoning experience.
