A Chicago area daycare center has been hit with an E. coli outbreak that has sickened 21 children and one adult.

According to the Southtown Star newspaper, the Cook County Health Department has ordered that all children and adults at the KinderCare Learning Center in the Village of Lemont be tested for the potentially deadly bacteria.

The center has been allowed to remain open, but anyone who tests positive for E. coli or who has diarrhea is sent home and not allowed to return until tests for the bacteria come back negative twice within 24 hours.

Southtown Star reported that three of the children sickened by E. coli were hospitalized, but have since been released. The newspaper said KinderCare has undertaken extra sanitation measures since the outbreak began earlier this month.

E. coli symptoms may not start until seven days after a person is infected. The first sign is sudden, severe abdominal cramps, followed by diarrhea. Many patients develop bloody diarrhea that lasts from two to five days. Mild fever and nausea also can be symptoms of E. coli infection.

To thoroughly understand the risks of E. coli and to protect your legal rights, call the national food safety law firm of PritzkerOlsen Attorneys, 1-888-377-8900 (toll free). Our firm is involved in virtually every major foodborne illness outbreak in the United States and our lawyers are nationally recognized experts in representing E. coli victims and their families.

Labels: Chicago E coli lawyer, Chicago E coli outbreak, daycare E coli attorney