A Deadly Outbreak of E. coli – 16 Victims in 5 States with 9 Hospitalizations
On the 2nd of February 2021, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced an E. coli outbreak, however the food source is unknown, and is being investigated. Illnesses are recorded beginning anytime between the dates the 23rd of December 2020, to the 7th of January 2021. Local and state officials are vigilantly looking into this mysterious E. coli outbreak and are asking the infected what they ate the prior week to becoming ill with Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC).
Outbreak Data – New York, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Virginia and Washington State
As of February 3rd, 2021, a total of 16 individuals from 5 different states have been infected with the E. coli outbreak strain, 9 have been hospitalized, and 1 has died. Infected individual’s ages range from 10 to 95 years old, with an average age of 31. 88% of the infected people are female. However, keep in mind it usually takes about 2 to 4 weeks for cases to be linked to an outbreak, so the afore-listed numbers may change significantly in the following days.
Symptoms of E. coli O157:H7
In this outbreak, the first victim became symptomatic with E. coli symptoms on December 23rd, another two became symptomatic on Christmas Eve and another two on Christmas Day. Six more became symptomatic before the close of 2020, and five more (as of January 7th) have been recorded in 2021. More may yet be identified due to the weeks that often pass between a victim becoming symptomatic and their case being reported to the CDC.
Symptoms resulting from Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) vary from each individual, but usually include (bloody) diarrhea, vomiting, and intense stomach cramps. While some infected may recover in about 5 to 7 days, STEC can be severe and even life threatening. Also, approximately 5 to 10% of individuals infected with Shiga toxin-producing E. coli develop the dangerous and life-threatening type of kidney-failure called Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome (HUS).
IN htis outbreak, 9 have been hospitalized and at least one person has died.
What to do
If experiencing symptoms such as diarrhea for more than 3 days and/or accompanied by a fever higher 102 degrees Fahrenheit, vomiting to the point of being unable to keep liquids down, or blood in the stool, contact a healthcare provider immediately. Click here to receive a Free E. Coli Case Consultation.
According to e. coli lawsuit lawyer Ron Simon, “It is vitally important that individuals who suffer from e. coli poisoning report their cases and seek medical attention. Only by identifying individuals with similar strains of E. coli can health workers put a stop to an outbreak.”
For more information about E. coli, visit https://www.cdc.gov/ecoli/general/index.html.
