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Escherichia coli, better known as E. coli, is a bacteria that lives in the lower digestive tract of mammals, including human beings and cows. They are absolutely critical to the digestive process, but in the wrong situation they can be deadly. As humans pass E. coli through their feces, the presence of the bacteria in groundwater or other areas is often a reliable indication of fecal contamination. Furthermore, a strain of E. coli called Escherichia coli O157:H7 is often found in cow manure, and can contaminate beef, milk, and other farm products such as fruit and vegetables.
New outbreaks of E. coli reported in Indiana
On December 15, 2006, the day after experts declared the recent Taco Bell E. coli outbreak over, 250 people reported E. coli symptoms after eating at an Olive Garden restaurant in Indianapolis, Indiana. People that ate at the restaurant between December 9 and December 13 reported nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and fever, and three people require hospitlization. If you suffered E. coli poisoning, you must contact us immediately. Your physical and financial health could depend on it.
E. coli found in Long Island Taco Bells
On Monday, December 5, 14 more people developed E. coli-related illnesses after eating at Taco Bell restaurants in Long Island, New York. This story continues to develop, but many experts believe that there will be more cases before this situation has run its course.
Taco Bells in New Jersey Contaminated with E. coli
At least 22 people in New Jersey have developed E. coli-related conditions after eating at one of several Taco Bell restaurants between November 17 and 28. Out of the 22 victims, all except four are under 18, and five had to be admitted to the hospital. Two of these innocent victims were in serious or critical condition with hemolytic uremic syndrome, which can permanently damage the kidneys. The restaurants affected were in:
- South Plainfield
- Edison
- Franklin Township
Authorities are testing other New Jersey Taco Bells for potential contamination. If you or someone you know was injured by E. coli illness due to eating at a Taco Bell in New Jersey, you need to contact an E. coli lawyer immediately.
Products that have been infected with E. coli are particularly dangerous because the bacteria can cause a number of serious and potentially fatal complications. Most E coli bacteria are harmless, but O157:H7 produces a deadly toxin that can lead to bloody diarrhea and kidney failure.
Experts believe that there are 73,000 cases of contamination that lead to 61 deaths each year in the United States. Typical products that have been infected with E. coli include:
- Undercooked ground beef
- Unpasteurized or "raw" milk or juice
- Salami
- Sprouts
- Lettuce
If these products are consumed by humans, or if people come into contact with the E coli O157:H7 through person to person contact, a number of situations can occur. The most serious syndromes and diseases caused by E coli are HUS (Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome) and TTP (Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Purpura).
- HUS usually occurs after bloody diarrhea common after a bout of E. coli poisoning, and can cause acute renal failure and death. Those who survive this devastating condition are left physically shattered, often requiring expensive and painful kidney dialysis treatments for the rest of their lives.
- TTP, or Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Purpura, is extremely similar to HUS, and even medical professionals have difficulty distinguishing between the two conditions. The primary difference between HUS and TTP is that TTP also causes severe neurological side effects such as strokes, headaches, and changes in mood, behavior, and mental states.
Although many people take the safety of their food for granted, recent news about E. coli outbreaks casts doubt into unlikely products. While infamous outbreaks of E coli have affected the hamburger and fast food industry, recently Dole lettuce and bagged salad mix were affected. According to a public health warning issued by the Food and Drug administration in October, 2005, almost 245,000 bags of Dole lettuce could potentially be contaminated with E. coli bacteria. Similar outbreaks occurred in 2002 and 2003 when people consumed allegedly safe pre-washed Dole bagged salad and lettuce.
On September 15, 2006, the Food and Drug Administration warned consumers about an outbreak of illnesses linked to bagged spinach allegedly contaminated with the bacteria E. coli. At least 58 people in 10 states have become seriously ill, and one person has died due to the presence of the bacteria normally found in animal feces. Unfortunately, the FDA cannot as of yet pinpoint the brand, supplier, or growing region responsible for the tainted produce, so it has advised consumers to avoid eating any bagged spinach until the crisis has passed. This alert bears a striking similarity to the recent outbreak of E. coli-related illnesses in Dole brand bagged lettuce and salad.
List of brands of Spinach Recalled due to e.coli:
The recalled brands are:
• Bellissima
• Cheney Brothers
• Coastline
• Compliments
• Cross Valley
• D'Arrigo Brothers
• Dole
• Earthbound Farm
• Emeril
• Farmers Market
• Fresh and Easy
• Fresh Point
• Green Harvest
• Hy Vee
• Jansal Valley
• Mann
• Mills Family Farm
• Natural Selection Foods
• Nature's Basket
• O Organic
• Premium Fresh
• President's Choice
• Pride of San Juan
• Pro-Mark
• Rave Spinach
• Ready Pac
• River Ranch
• Riverside Farms
• Snoboy
• Superior
• Sysco
• Tanimura & Antle
• The Farmer's Market
• Trader Joe's
Some of the most common symptoms of E. coli poisoning include:
- Hemorrhagic colitis
- Bloody stools
- Abdominal pain
- Severe cramps
- Fever may or may not be present
- Symptoms of E. coli usually develop over the period of 3-9 days
Many of the victims of the Dole lettuce E. coli outbreak must now deal with the crippling consequences of when an irresponsible corporation fails to take proper safety precautions. If you or someone you love suffered or shown symptoms of the devastating side effects of E. coli poisoning, you need to consult an E. coli attorney immediately. Laws called statutes of limitations restrict the amount of time you have to take action, so contact an E coli lawyer today.
