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E. coli source unclear
By AARON DERFEL, The Gazette April 8, 2011
Public health authorities are still trying to pin down the source of an E. coli outbreak that has claimed the life of one Quebecer and caused severe kidney complications in another.
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one dead, Others ill in Quebec; Walnuts suspected, but tests are negative
By AARON DERFEL, The Gazette April 8, 2011
Public health authorities are still trying to pin down the source of an E. coli outbreak that has claimed the life of one Quebecer and caused severe kidney complications in another.
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency has advised people not to eat shelled walnuts, all originating from a St. Laurent-based importer of nuts and dried fruits.
However, none of the walnut samples - collected from the individuals who got sick, from stores and from the food importer's warehouse - have tested positive for the E. coli strain, the company's vicepresident said on Thursday.
Still, Amira Enterprises Inc. has voluntarily recalled all its walnuts from retail stores.
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Nathalie L?vesque, a provincial Health Department official, confirmed that a Quebecer, who was already in a weakened state with significant underlying medical conditions, has died from E. coli illness.
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Nathalie L?vesque, a provincial Health Department official, confirmed that a Quebecer, who was already in a weakened state with significant underlying medical conditions, has died from E. coli illness.
"The Canadian Food Inspection Agency has serious doubts as to whether the infections are related to walnuts, but it's the most probable source," L?vesque said.
CFIA officials could not be reached for comment. However, in an advisory issued on Monday, the agency declared that "at this time, the outbreak investigation indicates that several individuals have reported consuming raw shelled walnuts.
... To date, 13 Canadians have been infected with the following E. coli strain: E. O157: H7. That's the one that killed seven people and sickened hundreds of others in Walkerton, Ont., 11 years ago.
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