An E. coli outbreak has emerged in St. Louis County, Missouri, affecting dozens of individuals connected to Rockwood Summit High School. The St. Louis County Department of Public Health has confirmed 69 cases as of Friday afternoon, with the infections traced to two separate school-related events that involved catering services from Andre’s Banquets and Catering, according to ksdk.com. The St. Louis Post-Dispatch is reporting that approximately 12 of those affected have been hospitalized.
Health officials are currently focusing their investigation on salad items served at these events, though they have yet to identify the specific contaminated item or determine when the contamination occurred. The investigation remains active, with Andre’s Banquets and Catering reportedly cooperating with health authorities.
The situation first came to light on Wednesday when Rockwood Summit High School was notified by health officials about suspected E. coli infections following an “end-of-season event.” The school district later confirmed that a second school event was also under investigation. In response, the school has implemented extensive cleaning measures, including deep cleaning of classrooms, common areas, bathrooms, and doorknobs.
The St. Louis County Health Department is working with the Rockwood School District and other partners to identify the outbreak’s origin and implement measures to prevent future incidents.
The outbreak includes a mix of confirmed laboratory cases and individuals showing similar symptoms who have not undergone testing. Health department investigators are gathering information through interviews, focusing on eating habits, timing of symptom onset, and potential exposure points. Working with the school district, an electronic survey was distributed that has provided crucial data for the investigation.
Environmental Health Inspectors are conducting evaluations of relevant locations and collecting samples from both food and environmental sources for analysis. The health department emphasized that their current findings have not definitively identified any specific source or responsible party, and additional testing and data evaluation continue as they work to determine the exact contamination source.
Health officials have advised the public to watch for E. coli symptoms, which typically appear two to five days after exposure and can persist for up to ten days. Common symptoms include severe stomach cramps, bloody diarrhea, vomiting, and fever. Medical experts emphasize the importance of seeking immediate medical attention if these symptoms develop.
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, not all E. coli are benign. Certain strains 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.
Of particular concern, however, is the potential for some patients to develop Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome (HUS), a severe complication that can lead to kidney failure, neurological damage, and in extreme cases, death. This risk makes early medical intervention crucial for infected individuals.
The owner of Andre’s Banquets and Catering, John Armengol Jr., has strongly contested any suggestion that his business was responsible for the outbreak. In a statement released Friday, he said that his business served over 3,400 meals the previous week without any other reported incidents. Armengol highlighted his business’s food safety practices, including daily product inspections and the use of USDA-inspected suppliers.
Armengol expressed particular concern about the health department’s public statement, which he characterized as “reckless” and “defamatory” to his business’s reputation. He pointed to Andre’s long-standing presence in the community since 1980 and their track record of successfully catering approximately 3,500 events in the previous year.
In recent weeks, a large-scale E. coli outbreak at fast food chain McDonald’s has featured widely in the media. The outbreak, which has been linked to fresh, slivered onions served on menu items like the McDonald’s Quarter Pounder hamburger, has so far sickened 104 people, with 34 hospitalizations, and has led to one death.
Commenting on this article, national E. coli lawyer Dr. Tony Coveny, whose firm Ron Simon & Associates is representing over three dozen families affected by the McDonald’s onion E. coli outbreak, said “Restaurants, food manufacturers, and all suppliers of food services have a legal duty to ensure their products are safe. When they fail in that duty, and people become ill, those affected have the right to seek compensation for damages.”
