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Oklahoma E. coli Kills One and Three on Dialysis after Developing Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome

By Pritzker | Ruohonen

The Oklahoma State Department of Health has reported that the outbreak that has resulted in one death and dozens sickened is an E. coli outbreak. The Oklahoma State Department of Health's public health laboratory found "a type of E. coli bacteria" in 10 patient specimens tested. It is unclear why the Oklahoma State Department of Health has not specified the type of E. coli involved with this outbreak, but it is most certainly E. coli O157:H7, the type of E. coli that has sickened hundreds of people throughout the United States in several outbreaks this summer.

Four children sickened in this Oklahoma E. coli outbreak have developed hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS).  Three of those children are on dialysis.  Most cases of HUS are caused by E. coli O157:H7 infections.

We are representing people who contracted E. coli O157:H7 infections after eating at restaurants. One person we are representing developed hemolytic uremic syndrome and is in a coma.  Attorney Fred Pritzker spent two days in the intensive care unit with the family.

Antibiotics and anti-diarrheal medicines are not recommended for treating E. coli. Research has shown that antibiotics and anti-diarrheal medicines can lead to the development of hemolytic uremic syndrome.  Although the CDC has issued a warning to medical professionals regarding this, we have been contacted by people who have been prescribed these medications when they presented to a doctor with the symptoms of an E. coli O157:H7 infection.

For information about E. coli lawsuits, restaurant liability, or any other legal help, please contact our law firm: 1-888-377-8900 (toll-free) or email Fred Pritzker, managing attorney for our E. coli litigation cases.

Full post as published by Food Poisoning Law Blog on August 28, 2008 (boomark / email).