Missouri - E. coli bacteria sickens at least 37 people across the St. Louis region - HEALTH ALERT ISSUED

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E. coli outbreak sickens 14 in St. Louis County

BY PATRICK M. O'CONNELL ? poconnell@post-dispatch.com > 314-340-8126 STLtoday.com | Posted: Thursday, October 27, 2011 2:32 am

ST. LOUIS COUNTY ? Fourteen people have become sick since Tuesday from E. coli bacteria from an unknown food source, the St. Louis County Health Department said.

The victims, ages 4 to 94, have suffered bloody diarrhea. Health department spokesman John Shelton did not know Wednesday evening whether anyone had been hospitalized, but he said no one has died from the illness.

... The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services is assisting local health officials in the investigation and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention also has been notified.

Full text:
http://www.stltoday.com/news/local/...037-11e1-b8da-001a4bcf6878.html#ixzz1bzuiaZru

 

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Re: Missouri - E. coli outbreak sickens 16 in St. Louis County

Re: Missouri - E. coli outbreak sickens 16 in St. Louis County

Rare strain of E. coli sickens up to 16 in St. Louis area

BY BLYTHE BERNHARD ? bbernhard@post-dispatch.com > 314-340-8129 AND PATRICK M. O'CONNELL ? poconnell@post-dispatch.com > 314-340-8126 STLtoday.com | Posted: Thursday, October 27, 2011 11:32 am

ST. LOUIS COUNTY ? The E. coli bacteria that has sickened at least 14 people in St. Louis County appears to be a rare strain that does not respond to antibiotics, hospital officials said today.

Another two E. coli infections reported in Jefferson County may be linked to the St. Louis cases, county health officials said. At least one adult in Jefferson County had to be hospitalized.

Mercy Hospital in Creve Coeur has so far treated six patients for the bacterial infection that causes intestinal distress. Without effective antibiotic treatment, patients have to let the infection run its course, a hospital spokeswoman said.

Health officials confirmed the source of the E. coli 0157 is food-borne, and said they are talking with local grocery stores about foods in common eaten by the infected people. The stores have not been asked to pull any food from the shelves or salad bars, but may have voluntarily done so.

Read more: http://www.stltoday.com/news/local/...037-11e1-b8da-001a4bcf6878.html#ixzz1c0R7unvW

 

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Missouri - E. coli bacteria sickens at least 22 people across the St. Louis region

Missouri - E. coli bacteria sickens at least 22 people across the St. Louis region

St. Louis E. coli outbreak grows, may be linked to salad bars

BY BLYTHE BERNHARD ? bbernhard@post-dispatch.com > 314-340-8129 AND PAUL HAMPEL ? phampel@post-dispatch.com > 314-727-6234 STLtoday.com | Posted: Thursday, October 27, 2011 1:30 pm

The E. coli bacteria that has sickened at least 22 people across the St. Louis region may be linked to produce at local grocery stores.

The confirmed E. coli cases include 16 in St. Louis County, two in Jefferson County, two in St. Charles County, one in St. Louis City and one in St. Clair County. At least six people have been hospitalized.

Health officials confirmed the source of the E. coli 0157 is food-borne, but said the investigation is ongoing and all of the affected people have not been interviewed...

Read more: http://www.stltoday.com/news/local/...037-11e1-b8da-001a4bcf6878.html#ixzz1c0x2fs2f

 

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Re: Missouri - E. coli bacteria sickens at least 22 people across the St. Louis region

Re: Missouri - E. coli bacteria sickens at least 22 people across the St. Louis region

E. Coli Virus Packs a Wallop — but so far, No Deaths

October 27, 2011 3:51 PM

ST. LOUIS–(KMOX)–Local and state health officials are working to find the source of an E. Coli outbreak that has sickened at least 22 people in the region, including 16 in St. Louis County.

The St. Louis County Health Department reports nine people — ranging in age from 4 to 97 have been hospitalized...

“They’re St. Louis county residents ranging from Florissant to south county,” said department spokesman John Shelton, “They’re also in west county and central county. So there is no common cluster like they were all in north county. One thing I can tell you is there’s no indication they all attended the same event.”

Shelton says it appears the strain of E. Coli popping up here is one of the “top three most virulent” of some 700 different strains of E. Coli.

More...
http://stlouis.cbslocal.com/2011/10/27/e-coli-virus-packs-a-wallop-but-so-far-no-deaths/

 

[Missouriwatcher]

Re: Missouri - E. coli bacteria sickens at least 22 people across the St. Louis region - HEALTH ALERT ISSUED

Re: Missouri - E. coli bacteria sickens at least 22 people across the St. Louis region - HEALTH ALERT ISSUED

Health Alert (convey information of the highest level of importance which warrants immediate action or attention from Missouri health providers, emergency responders, public health agencies, and/or the public.)
October 28, 2011
FROM: MARGARET T. DONNELLY
DIRECTOR

SUBJECT: Increase in reported Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) Illnesses in St. Louis Area

Situational Update 10/28/11
All stools submitted to clinical laboratories for testing from patients with suspected E coli infection should be cultured for O157 STEC on selective and differential agar. These stools should be simultaneously assayed for non-O157 STEC with a test that detects the Shiga toxins or the genes encoding these toxins. Specimens or enrichment broths in which Shiga toxin or STEC are detected but from which O157 STEC are not recovered should be forwarded as soon as possible to the Missouri State Public Health Laboratory.

Situational Update 10/26/11
The St. Louis County Health Department has reported a marked increase in cases of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC). The cases are being investigated by the St. Louis County Health Department and the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS). At this time the cause of the illnesses is unknown.
http://search.mo.gov/search?q=e+col...L:d1&entqr=3&oe=UTF-8&ie=UTF-8&ud=1&site=dhss

Oct 27: Scientists with the Federal Center for Disease Control and Prevention will arrive in the area within the next 48 hours.
http://health.mo.gov/information/ne...as_more_food_borne_illness_cases_are_reported

Oct 29: The SPHL has received and begun testing 34 specimens reported to contain E. coli. While tests to definitively confirm a specific E. coli strain take several days, 18 of these specimens have tested positive for shiga toxin, a byproduct of E. coli. Testing of the other specimens is currently underway.

 

[Missouriwatcher]

Re: Missouri - E. coli bacteria sickens at least 22 people across the St. Louis region - HEALTH ALERT ISSUED

Re: Missouri - E. coli bacteria sickens at least 22 people across the St. Louis region - HEALTH ALERT ISSUED

Oct. 31, 2011 UPDATE
Testing continues at the Missouri State Public Health Laboratory (SPHL) as part of the investigation of suspected food borne illness in the St. Louis region. The SPHL has received and begun testing 35 specimens reported to contain E. coli. While tests to definitively confirm a specific E. coli strain take several days, 28 of these specimens have tested positive for E. coli O157:H7. Testing on other specimens is currently underway.

A team of DHSS epidemiologists, disease investigators and food safety experts is working in coordination with colleagues at the local and federal level to identify the cause of the reported illness.

Public health officials continue to urge anyone experiencing gastrointestinal symptoms, including severe stomach cramps, diarrhea or nausea, to seek medical attention.
http://health.mo.gov/information/news/2011/food_borne_illness10312011

UPDATE: (Nov 1) ...some of these samples are duplicate samples from individuals, DHSS can report that 26 individuals have laboratory-confirmed E. coli illness.

 

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Re: Missouri - E. coli bacteria sickens at least 28 people across the St. Louis region - HEALTH ALERT ISSUED

Re: Missouri - E. coli bacteria sickens at least 28 people across the St. Louis region - HEALTH ALERT ISSUED

Health officials tracking down source of E. coli in Missouri​

​

Posted: 8:14 AM
Last Updated: 26 minutes ago​

By: CNN News

At least nine people in the Saint Louis area have been hospitalized after contracting E. coli. The cause isn't known, but a local supermarket may be involved.​

With 66 stores across the St. Louis region, it's not surprising most people have eaten Schnucks food in recent days. What is surprising is the number of people who've become ill.​

"The percentage of people that are exhibiting symptoms or have developed lab confirmed E. coli did eat at a schnucks salad bar, higher than you'd expect, but that by itself does not explain all the cases we've found,? said Craig Lefebvre with the St. Louis County health department.​

The Missouri health department now reports 35 E. coli cases suspected in the state; 28 confirmed.​

Read more: http://www.nbcactionnews.com/dpp/ne...wn-source-of-e-coli-in-missouri#ixzz1cSmc3Ari

 

[Missouriwatcher]

Re: Missouri - E. coli bacteria sickens at least 26 people across the St. Louis region - HEALTH ALERT ISSUED

Re: Missouri - E. coli bacteria sickens at least 26 people across the St. Louis region - HEALTH ALERT ISSUED

November 1, 2011
**UPDATE** State health department updates status of investigation into E. coli outbreak in St. Louis region

...To date, the Missouri State Public Health Laboratory is testing or has tested 41 samples from individuals suspected to have the illness. So far, 28 of those samples have tested positive for E. coli O157:H7. Because some of these samples are duplicate samples from individuals, DHSS can report that 26 individuals have laboratory-confirmed E. coli illness. The State Lab has also tested 17 food samples taken from individuals' homes and local Schnuck's salad bars. That testing indicated that none of the samples contained E. coli or shiga toxin, its harmful byproduct. Testing of additional human and food samples continues, along with the other components that are involved in investigating an outbreak of this type...

...To date, investigators have discovered that 85% of patients (17 of 20) who reported shopping at Schnuck's stores also reported obtaining food from the salad bar. While this suggests a source, investigators cannot at this point say with certainty that they have identified the source, as they continue to search for an explanation for the remaining cases. As has been reported, all suspected items were voluntarily removed as a precautionary measure on October 26 from Schnuck's salad bars in the region and replaced with items from different sources.

Thus far, 28 of 41 human stool samples have tested positive for a strain of E. coli known as E. coli O157:H7. In addition 26 of the samples have completed the process down to "fingerprint" identification. All 26 match, suggesting that all are part of this outbreak and that only one specific organism is involved. The completion of testing on remaining samples continues, with results expected this week...

...Laboratory testing also determines whether E. coli is present in any food samples submitted. As with human samples, this testing takes several days. Thus far, 17 samples have been submitted, and all have come back negative for E. coli. These samples included two strawberries retrieved from sick individuals' homes. The remaining samples consist of lettuce, strawberries, and Caesar dressing taken from several Schnuck's stores in the region. Testing of additional food samples continues...
http://www.health.mo.gov/information/news/2011/food_borne_illness_110111

 

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Re: Missouri - E. coli bacteria sickens at least 26 people across the St. Louis region - HEALTH ALERT ISSUED

Re: Missouri - E. coli bacteria sickens at least 26 people across the St. Louis region - HEALTH ALERT ISSUED

Doctors Concerned About E.coli

Local doctors are watching out for cases of E.coli. It started after 41 people fell ill in St. Louis, possibly because of items from salad bars at Schnucks grocery stores.

A stomach bug is also going around Mid-Missouri with similar symptoms. About 50 people have checked-in to local urgent care clinics recently with a viral stomach bug, which closely resembles someone sickened by E.coli.

"You shouldn't be in significant pain so if you see any blood in your stool, any mucus in your stool the pain is significant or have really high fevers you should go see a doctor," Providence Urgent Care Dr. Scott Schultz tells ABC 17 News...

Author: Brad Johnson
Nov 2, 2011 6:08 PM

More...
http://www.abc17news.com/news.php?id=4183

 

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Re: Missouri - E. coli bacteria sickens at least 26 people across the St. Louis region - HEALTH ALERT ISSUED

Re: Missouri - E. coli bacteria sickens at least 26 people across the St. Louis region - HEALTH ALERT ISSUED

E-coli cases confirmed in Mid-Mo
by Teresa Snow

Posted: 11.02.2011 at 9:41 PM

The Boone County Health Department is investigating three confirmed cases of e-coli. There are two more suspected cases.

Cases like these are rare in Mid-Missouri, but have been in the news lately since an outbreak sickened 33 people in St. Louis.

While the St. Louis cases may be connected to a grocery store salad bar, KRCG has learned there's no known link between Boone County's three cases. The Boone County patients range in age from 11 to 63.

More...
http://www.connectmidmissouri.com/news/story.aspx?id=682052

 

[Missouriwatcher]

Re: Missouri - E. coli bacteria sickens at least 26 people across the St. Louis region - HEALTH ALERT ISSUED

Re: Missouri - E. coli bacteria sickens at least 26 people across the St. Louis region - HEALTH ALERT ISSUED

November 2, 2011
**UPDATE** Department of Health and Senior Services updates status of investigation into E. coli outbreak in St. Louis region

...The Missouri State Public Health Laboratory last night received an additional 38 food samples collected from five Schnuck's stores as a result of patient interviews. Testing of those samples is currently underway. The 38 food samples on which testing began today include: Bistro Salad Dressing, broccoli florets, deviled eggs, diced hard boiled eggs, honey Dijon dressing, Italian dressing, pineapple chunks, red wine vinaigrette, shredded carrots, shredded radishes, shredded zucchini, sliced red onions, and the following packaged salads that included salad bar ingredients: Bistro Chopped Salad, Fresco House Salad, Fried Chicken Salad, Garden Salad, Italian Salad, and Turkey Cobb Salad. Additional food samples are being collected and tested as the investigation continues.

To date, the State Lab is testing or has tested 51 samples from individuals suspected to have the illness. So far, DHSS can report that 26 individuals have laboratory-confirmed E. coli illness. The completion of testing on remaining samples continues...
http://health.mo.gov/information/ne...ation_into_E_coli_outbreak_in_St_Louis_region

 

[Missouriwatcher]

Re: Missouri - E. coli bacteria sickens at least 24 people across the St. Louis region - HEALTH ALERT ISSUED

Re: Missouri - E. coli bacteria sickens at least 24 people across the St. Louis region - HEALTH ALERT ISSUED

** Nov 3, 2011 UPDATE ** Department of Health and Senior Services updates status of investigation into E. coli outbreak in St. Louis region

Numbers Update - October 7 to November 3

Number of individuals confirmed to have E. coli connected to the St. Louis investigation: 24

Number of food samples, connected to the St. Louis outbreak, tested to date: 55

Number of food samples confirmed to have E. coli (for 17 samples, these results are final; for 38 samples, these are preliminary screening results): 0

Since yesterday's update, two new cases based on samples previously received at the State Public Health Laboratory have been confirmed and added; however, four cases previously thought to be connected have been determined upon further interview and analysis to be not connected to the St. Louis outbreak...

DHSS can also confirm that the State Lab has received four specimens from Boone County for E. coli testing. Three have tested positive; one is still pending. DHSS scientists are working with health officials in Boone County to investigate those cases in the same way that the St. Louis cases have been handled. At this point, it does not appear that the Boone County cases are connected to the St. Louis cases.

The State Lab has performed preliminary screening on 38 food samples it received on Tuesday night. Preliminary tests on all samples were negative for E. coli. Further testing is being done to confirm these results...
http://www.health.mo.gov/informatio...ation_into_E_coli_outbreak_in_St_Louis_region

 

[Missouriwatcher]

Re: Missouri - E. coli bacteria sickens at least 25 people across the St. Louis region - HEALTH ALERT ISSUED

Re: Missouri - E. coli bacteria sickens at least 25 people across the St. Louis region - HEALTH ALERT ISSUED

** Nov 4, 2011 UPDATE ** Department of Health and Senior Services updates status of investigation into E. coli outbreak in St. Louis region

Numbers Update - October 7 to November 4

Number of Individuals confirmed to have E. coli connected to the St. Louis investigation: 25
Number of food samples, connected to the St. Louis outbreak, tested to date: 55
Number of food samples confirmed to have E. coli (testing final as to all but three samples): 0

Today lab results were finalized on one additional case that has the E. coli strain observed in the outbreak. That increases the total number of individuals confirmed to have E. coli connected to the St. Louis investigation from 24 to 25. Note that, as previously indicated, some individuals may be added to or removed from the count following further interview and analysis by the epidemiological team.

http://www.health.mo.gov/informatio...ation_into_E_coli_outbreak_in_St_Louis_region

 

[Missouriwatcher]

Re: Missouri - E. coli bacteria sickens at least 27 people across the St. Louis region - HEALTH ALERT ISSUED

Re: Missouri - E. coli bacteria sickens at least 27 people across the St. Louis region - HEALTH ALERT ISSUED

**Nov. 5, 2011 UPDATE** DHSS updates status of investigation into E. coli outbreak in St. Louis region

Numbers Update - October 7 to November 5

Number of individuals confirmed to have E. coli connected to the St. Louis investigation: 27
Number of food samples, connected to the St. Louis outbreak, tested to date: 55
Number of food samples confirmed to have E. Coli: 0

DHSS today added two new cases based on lab results from specimens submitted to the State Public Health Laboratory last week. The two cases have the same E. coli fingerprint as that observed in the outbreak. One of the specimens is from a person in Boone County. That case is being added to the count because the individual reported spending time in St. Louis during the timeframe established by the investigative team for the outbreak. Investigators continue to work with public health officials to determine whether three other specimens previously submitted from Boone County are connected to the outbreak...
http://www.health.mo.gov/information/news/2011/food_borne_illness_11511

 

[Missouriwatcher]

Re: Missouri - E. coli bacteria sickens at least 28 people across the St. Louis region - HEALTH ALERT ISSUED

Re: Missouri - E. coli bacteria sickens at least 28 people across the St. Louis region - HEALTH ALERT ISSUED

**Nov. 6, 2011 UPDATE** State health department updates status of investigation into E. coli outbreak in St. Louis region

Numbers Update - October 7 to November 6
Number of individuals confirmed to have E. coli connected to the St. Louis investigation: 28
Number of food samples, connected to the St. Louis outbreak, tested to date: 55
Number of food samples confirmed to have E. coli: 0

DHSS today added one new case based on lab results from specimens submitted to the State Public Health Laboratory last week. The case has the same E. coli fingerprint as that observed in the outbreak.
http://www.health.mo.gov/information/news/2011/food_borne_illness_110611

 

[Missouriwatcher]

Re: Missouri - E. coli bacteria sickens at least 30 people across the St. Louis region - HEALTH ALERT ISSUED

Re: Missouri - E. coli bacteria sickens at least 30 people across the St. Louis region - HEALTH ALERT ISSUED

**Nov. 7, 2011 UPDATE** Department of Health and Senior Services updates status of investigation into E. coli outbreak in St. Louis region

Numbers Update - October 7 to November 7

Number of individuals confirmed to have E. coli connected to the St. Louis investigation: 30
Number of food samples, connected to the St. Louis outbreak, tested to date: 55
Number of food samples confirmed to have E. coli: 0

DHSS today added two new cases based on lab results from specimens submitted to the State Public Health Laboratory last week. The cases have the same E. coli fingerprint as that observed in the outbreak. There are no other specimens at the State Lab believed to be connected to the outbreak on which testing is still pending...
http://health.mo.gov/information/ne...ation_into_E_coli_outbreak_in_St_Louis_region

 

[Missouriwatcher]

Re: Missouri - E. coli bacteria sickens at least 31 people across the St. Louis region - HEALTH ALERT ISSUED

Re: Missouri - E. coli bacteria sickens at least 31 people across the St. Louis region - HEALTH ALERT ISSUED

**Nov. 9, 2011 UPDATE** State health department updates status of investigation into E. coli outbreak in St. Louis region

Numbers Update - October 7 to November 9

Number of individuals confirmed to have E. coli connected to the St. Louis investigation: 31
Number of food samples, connected to the St. Louis outbreak, tested to date: 55
Number of food samples confirmed to have E. coli: 0

DHSS added one new case today based on a specimen that was collected from an individual on October 28, 2011.
http://www.health.mo.gov/information/news/2011/food_borne_illness_110911

Nov 10 UPDATE:
The State Public Health Laboratory today received one new human specimen which was collected on November 6 in the St. Louis area. This new specimen is being analyzed to determine if it contains E. coli. As with all suspected cases, lab testing and patient interviews will determine whether this specimen is connected to the outbreak.
http://www.health.mo.gov/informatio...ation_into_E_coli_outbreak_in_St_Louis_region

 

[Missouriwatcher]

Re: Missouri - E. coli bacteria sickens at least 32 people across the St. Louis region - HEALTH ALERT ISSUED

Re: Missouri - E. coli bacteria sickens at least 32 people across the St. Louis region - HEALTH ALERT ISSUED

**Nov. 11, 2011 UPDATE** State health department updates status of investigation into E. coli outbreak in St. Louis region

Numbers Update ? October 7 to November 11
Number of individuals confirmed to have E. coli connected to the St. Louis investigation: 32
Number of food samples, connected to the St. Louis outbreak, tested to date: 55
Number of food samples confirmed to have E. coli: 0

DHSS added one new case today based on a specimen collected on November 3, 2011. Another specimen collected November 2, 2011 tested positive for the strain of E. coli observed in the outbreak, including the specific ?fingerprint? analysis. However, that individual is considered a ?secondary case? ? one caused by exposure to an individual with the illness, not by exposure to the source of the illness. Secondary cases are common in outbreaks, and of course require the same medical attention as primary cases. But secondary cases by their nature do not give investigators additional information about the source of the outbreak. E. coli illness can be transmitted from person to person; however, the contact must be very close...
http://health.mo.gov/information/news/2011/111111ecoliupdate.php

 

[Missouriwatcher]

Re: Missouri - E. coli bacteria sickens at least 33 people across the St. Louis region - HEALTH ALERT ISSUED

Re: Missouri - E. coli bacteria sickens at least 33 people across the St. Louis region - HEALTH ALERT ISSUED

...Moving forward the department will continue to update results of testing on its website. That information can be found here: http://www.health.mo.gov/information/news/EcoliUpdate.pdf

The following chart, which will now be located online and updated daily, reflects testing results to date:

Missouri Numbers Update - October 7 to November 16

Number of Missourians confirmed to have E. coli connected to the St. Louis investigation: 33

Number of food samples, connected to the St. Louis outbreak, tested to date: 55

Number of food samples confirmed to have E. coli: 0
http://health.mo.gov/information/news/2011/food_borne_illness_111611

 

[Missouriwatcher]

Re: Missouri - E. coli bacteria sickens at least 35 people across the St. Louis region - HEALTH ALERT ISSUED

Re: Missouri - E. coli bacteria sickens at least 35 people across the St. Louis region - HEALTH ALERT ISSUED

Missouri Numbers Update ? October 7 to November 18
Number of Missourians confirmed to have E. coli connected to the St. Louis investigation: 35
Number of food samples, connected to the St. Louis outbreak, tested to date: 55
Number of food samples confirmed to have E. coli: 0