A rapidly expanding E. coli outbreak has sickened at least 82 people in five states, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and state and local health departments. Health officials in Kentucky, Tennessee, Ohio, Virginia and Georgia are racing to pinpoint the food source of the E. coli O103 outbreak which, in one week’s time, has grown from 19 cases in Kentucky to 80 cases in five states.
Kentucky has been hardest hit by the outbreak with 46 confirmed cases and at least 18 suspected cases awaiting confirmation. Tennessee has reported 21 cases. Georgia has eight, Ohio has five, Virginia has two.
Symptoms of an E. coli infection include abdominal cramps and diarrhea that can be bloody. These symptoms usually appear between two and five days after the contaminated food was eaten. Illnesses in this outbreak were reported from March 2, 2019, to March 29, 2019.
Over-the-counter anti-diarrheal medicines should not be taken to treat symptoms of E. coli infections as they can increase the chance of developing serious and life-threatening complications.
If you have been sickened and would like to request a free consultation with the Pritzker Hageman E. coli Team, call 1(888) 377-8900; send a text to 612-261-0856, or complete the form below. Our team has represented clients nationwide in every major foodborne illness outbreak over the last 20 years.