ST. LOUIS COUNTY — County well being officers on Tuesday stated the E. coli outbreak final month that sickened dozens right here has been tied to a wave of instances in six different states.
Twenty-five native instances, they stated, have been genetically linked to Andre’s Banquets & Catering, the corporate that officers stated offered meals to a number of occasions in query.
In whole, officers have now recognized 115 individuals who obtained sick, 13 who have been hospitalized and three who contracted a severe situation that may harm kidneys.
Investigators launched the replace Tuesday, saying the probe into the outbreak was winding down. They known as it the “largest of its form recognized within the space.”
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Additional instances with matching entire genome sequencing profiles have been reported in Kansas, Illinois, North Dakota, South Dakota, Ohio and Indiana.
“At this time, the genetic information and meals histories proceed to recommend leafy greens as an publicity issue, though the assault charges from the St. Louis occasions are notably increased than these in different areas,” stated Sara Dayley, a spokesperson for the St. Louis County Department of Public Health.
Escherichia coli micro organism stay within the intestines of wholesome individuals and animals. When shared, most sorts are comparatively innocent. But 0157, the pressure within the St. Louis County outbreak, produces a toxin that may trigger extreme diarrhea and result in kidney failure, particularly in younger youngsters or older adults.
St. Louis County officers on Tuesday stated there have been three instances of hemolytic uremic syndrome, a severe situation that causes blood to clot and might harm kidneys and different organs. Two individuals with the syndrome remained hospitalized.
Officials have maintained all through the investigation that individuals who obtained sick ate meals served at occasions catered by Andre’s Banquets.
“With 25 instances tied to 1 particular enterprise and no important enhance in new instances anticipated, we’re assured that we’re nearing the conclusion of this outbreak investigation,” stated county well being division Director Dr. Kanika Cunningham.
But a spokesman for Andre’s famous on Tuesday that well being officers have been “nonetheless working to seek out the reason for our native outbreak.”
“We have stated all alongside that it was unfair to call Andre’s earlier than the lettuce was examined and earlier than the investigation was full,” stated spokesman Ed Rhode.
Andre’s discovered itself on the middle of the outbreak Nov. 15, when county well being officers stated that 64 suspected or confirmed E. coli instances have been tied to 2 Rockwood Summit High School events catered by the chain early in November.
A number of days later, county officers stated the outbreak was related to a total of five events — together with an Oakville High band banquet and two funeral-related gatherings — all catered by Andre’s, because the variety of recorded instances continued to extend.
John Armengol Jr., the second-generation proprietor of Andre’s, repeatedly, adamantly denied the outbreak was tied to Andre’s.
And, late final month, the state well being division stated an unopened bundle of iceberg lettuce collected from his enterprise was not infected with the bacteria.
But legal professionals have stated that regardless of the damaging E. coli outcomes, Armengol can still be held legally liable for serving the contaminated meals beneath the state’s strict product legal responsibility regulation.
And lawsuits towards Andre’s have continued rolling in.
As of Tuesday, the caterer was dealing with eight fits.
The most up-to-date: On Nov. 25, High Ridge resident Gary Swearingen sued Andre’s on behalf of his son, who fell ailing Nov. 11 and was hospitalized for 5 days.
Two days later, Kimberly Everding sued. She stated on Nov. 8 she attended a funeral at Andre’s South on Telegraph Road, the place she ate a roll, salad, inexperienced beans, pasta, mashed potatoes and roast beef. She fell ailing with E. coli and was hospitalized for 9 days.
The final go well with got here Monday, when Andrew and Kristi Gordon sued the cater after their daughter fell ailing after consuming at one of many Rockwood occasions. She is without doubt one of the three E. coli sufferers who fell ailing with hemolytic uremic syndrome, the go well with stated.
She “underwent a number of blood transfusions and days of dialysis” and remained hospitalized Monday, the go well with stated.
Bill Marler, a Seattle-based meals poisoning lawyer who has filed 5 of the fits, stated on Tuesday he anticipated submitting extra.
Andre’s has been served in his current instances, he stated.
“(We are) ready on who’s going to be protection counsel,” Marler stated.
What to find out about E. coli, introduced by Dr. Kimberly Baker of Clemson University
