Personal Injury Law

So, what's up with Wisconsin Pic n' Saves and E. coli O157:H7

By Bill Marler, Esq.

As of July 1, 2009, the CDC reported twenty-three persons infected with a strain of E. coli O157:H7 with a particular "DNA fingerprint" have been reported from 9 states – Wisconsin included. Of these, 17 (likely more now) have been confirmed by an advanced DNA test (MLVA) as having the outbreak strain. All have been linked to JBS Swift Meat Recall.

The number of ill persons identified in each state is as follows: California (4), Maine (1), Michigan (6), Minnesota (1), New Hampshire (1), New Jersey (2), New Mexico (1), New York (1) and Wisconsin (6). The first reported illness began on April 2, 2009, and the last began on June 13, 2009. This number is growing. Among 17 ill persons for whom hospitalization status is known, 12 (70%) were hospitalized. Two patients developed a type of kidney failure called hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS).

Interestingly, last evening I got a call from a concerned father. Both son's have been hit by E. coli O157:H7 – one still hospitalized with HUS. Both children, as of last night, have been linked to JBS Swift meat purchased at a Brookfield Wisconsin Pic n' Save. I assume that FSIS and CDC will update their numbers.

What is also interesting is that during the 2006 Dole Spinach E. coli O157:H7 outbreak, 49 E. coli O157:H7 cases where confirmed in Wisconsin out of 205 nationally. Dozens of those Wisconsin cases purchased their spinach at Pic n' Save and several specifically in Brookfield. Go figure

Full post as published by Marler Blog on August 07, 2009 (boomark / email).