Three people who ate food purchased at Mercado Los Amigos in Yakima, WA, according to the Yakima Health Department. The restaurant, located at 1409 Fruitvale Blvd, voluntarily closed on September 18 while the investigation takes place.
Do You Need an E. coli Lawyer?
E. coli Outbreak at Mercado Los Amigos
What is Shiga toxin-producing E. coli?
Three customers who ate meat, produce, and/or prepared foods from Mercado Los Amigos developed infections from Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) bacteria. Shiga toxins are poisonous to humans and cause severe illness. Six STEC strains account for most E. coli illnesses reported in the U.S. each year: E. coli O26, O45, O103, O111, O121, and O145.
How is E. coli Transmitted?
People get E. coli infections when they eat food contaminated with human or animal feces.
STEC live in the intestines of cows and other ruminant animals. Meat can become contaminated during slaughter, and plants can be tainted by contaminated water or direct contact with manure containing the bacteria. Leafy greens and ground beef are the top sources of E. coli.
Transmission can also occur if a person with an E. coli infection goes to the bathroom and then handles food without properly washing their hands. This is a common mode of transmission with restaurant-based outbreaks.
What are the Symptoms of a STEC Infection?
Symptoms of a STEC infection usually develop within one to three days of exposure. They include:
- Abdominal cramps
- Diarrhea that can be bloody
- Vomiting
Some people with these infections can experience dangerous complications including hemolytic-uremic syndrome (HUS), a form of kidney failure.
Over-the-counter antidiarrheal medications should not be given to patients with E. coli infections as they can increase the risk of developing HUS.
Experienced E. coli Lawyers
The E. coli Team at Pritzker Hageman has represented clients in every major U.S. E. coli outbreak.
If you or your family member developed an E. coli infection from contaminated food and you would like a free consultation with an experienced E. coli lawyer, please contact us by calling 1-888-377-8900, sending a text to 612-261-0856, or by completing the form below. The consultation is free and there is no obligation.