Local and state health authorities are investigating an E. coli O157:H7 outbreak in Flathead County, Montana. The Flathead City-County Health Department (FCCHD), in collaboration with the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS) and other local health departments, is working to identify the source and contain the spread of the potentially dangerous pathogen
As of July 24, 2024, at least 13 cases have been linked to the outbreak, with many experiencing moderate to severe symptoms of E. coli infection. One death has been reported. Initial findings suggest that contaminated ground beef may be the source of the outbreak.
In a press release from the FCCHD, Health Officer Jennifer Rankosky expressed condolences to those affected and assured the public that swift action has been taken to mitigate risks. The investigation has revealed that the suspect ground beef was distributed to multiple restaurants and was not available for retail purchase by consumers . The agency worked with relevant businesses to remove any remaining product from the market.
Commenting on this story, one national E. coli lawyer said:
E. coli can easily spread from person to person, especially around the home or in a restaurant setting. I strongly urge anyone experiencing symptoms consistent with E. coli infection to practice proper hand hygiene and seek medical attention immediately to mitigate risk to their family and friends.
The passing of this victim comes, unfortunately, shortly after Montana lost two patrons of Dave’s Sushi, also due to food poisoning. These devastating events are still happening too often. Our office has been investigating the Dave’s Sushi outbreak for well over a year now, and will begin to examine what went wrong in this outbreak as well.
The last known date of consumption of the potentially contaminated beef was July 14 but health authorities have continued to conduct laboratory tests on clinical and food samples to confirm the source of the outbreak definitively.
According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), E. coli are bacteria and are found inhabiting diverse environments such as soil, water sources, and the digestive systems of humans and animals. They’re also frequently found in various food items.
The majority of E. coli strains are not harmful and play a crucial role in maintaining a healthy gut ecosystem by assisting in breaking down the food, contributing to the production of essential vitamins, and acting as a defense mechanism against more dangerous microorganisms.
However, E. coli O157:H7 is a particularly virulent strain of bacteria that can cause a range of health issues in humans, including gastrointestinal distress resulting in diarrhea, infections of the urinary tract, respiratory ailments like pneumonia, and even severe systemic infections such as sepsis. E. coli infections can sometimes lead to hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), which can be deadly because it can shut down the kidneys or other organs.
To prevent further spread of E. coli, FCCHD officials are urging the public to take precautionary measures. These include thoroughly cooking ground beef to an internal temperature of 160°F, washing hands with soap and water, especially after contact with animals or using the bathroom, and keeping raw meat separate from other foods during shopping and storage.
