E. coli Outbreak in St. Louis County Linked to Andre’s Banquets & Catering and Events at Rockwood Summit High School: Nearly 100 Victims Identified
St. Louis County health officials have reported that 94 individuals, an increase of nearly 30 people since Food Poisoning News first reported on the incident, have now fallen ill in an E. coli outbreak linked to multiple events in early November 2024, according to npr.com. The cases are connected to four separate events that were hosted or catered by Andre’s Banquets & Catering, a local St. Louis County establishment.
According to health department reports, over half of those infected had connections to Rockwood Summit High School. While preliminary investigations suggest a salad may be the source of the contamination, health officials have not yet reached a definitive conclusion.
State and local health authorities are conducting a comprehensive investigation, which includes surveying event attendees and analyzing food and environmental samples. The health department stated in an official release that current findings do not point to any specific source or responsible party, and additional testing continues.
A lawsuit has been filed in St. Louis County Circuit Court by a woman whose child received emergency medical care after consuming food at an event catered by Andre’s on November 8. The legal complaint details that the child developed symptoms two days after the event, experiencing severe pain, significant weight loss, and bloody diarrhea.
The owner of Andre’s Banquets & Catering has disputed any connection between his business and the outbreak through media statements.
E. coli bacteria, which naturally occurs in human and animal digestive systems, can cause serious illness in certain strains. Symptoms typically include diarrhea, fever, and dehydration. In severe cases, some patients develop Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome (HUS), a severe complication that can lead to kidney failure, neurological damage, and in extreme cases, death.
A senior epidemiologist at the St. Louis Health Department told local media that the E. coli outbreak is not connected to a larger E. coli outbreak linked to organic carrots across 18 states that so far has led to 39 illnesses, 15 hospitalizations, and one death.
St. Louis County health officials have issued guidance for residents who may have been exposed, recommending immediate medical attention for anyone experiencing symptoms consistent with E. coli infection. The investigation remains active as officials work to determine the exact source of contamination through continued testing and data analysis.
Commenting on this article, Dr. Tony Coveny, an E. coli lawyer for Ron Simon & Associates, said, “Our firm has been retained by victims of this E. coli outbreak. We will conduct investigations to determine who is responsible for sickening so many people.”
