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Additional information points to Rockwood E. coli outbreak linked to multi-state outbreak. With the cluster making up nearly a quarter of illnesses in the larger-scale outbreak, these Rockwood illnesses may be the key to identifying the food source.
Right now, an unspecified leafy green is the suspected source.
Here’s what we know about the Rockwood E. coli outbreak linked to multi-state outbreak associated with leafy greens.
It all started in early November. Students, staff, and parents of Rockwood School District began to fall sick after attending off-campus events catered by Andre’s Banquets and Catering. All with symptoms of the same illness.
E. coli infections.
As of December 3, 2024, the county health department has identified 115 cases associated with this outbreak. There have been 13 illnesses serious enough to require hospitalization. Two people remain hospitalized.
Three people were diagnosed with a serious and life-threatening complication known as hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS).
Results of genetic testing revealed several connections.
According to the county health department, 25 of the 115 cases are linked to the caterer. This makes this connection the largest subcluster of the E. coli illnesses in the outbreak. Investigators are trying to understand why the Rockwood area has so many illnesses.
“Our part of the outbreak looks really different from those of other states,” says Amanda Bzozowski, senior epidemiologist and supervisor for the Communicable Disease Investigation program at the St. Louis County Department of Public Health.
Genetic data also reveals connections to a larger, multi-state outbreak. Whole genome sequencing (WGS) was used to identify matches to other E. coli illnesses in Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, North Dakota, Ohio, and South Dakota.
So far, leafy greens of some kind have been a common factor. The specific leafy green and the true source has not yet been revealed.
For the Rockwood area cluster, salad served at the catered events is believed to be the source of those illnesses. However, the Missouri State Public Health Laboratory testing did not reveal the presence of E. coli in the salads.
This negative test, however, does not mean that the salads were not the source. There are many different reasons why a single sample may not be sufficient to represent the presence or absence of the pathogen in food.
We discuss this phenomenon in another post, “Negative Test Result Does Not Get Andre’s Catering Off the Hook in St. Louis E. coli Outbreak.”
The connection to other E. coli illnesses in several other states does indicate that contamination likely occurred from a food supplier. “Whether that contamination occurred at the farm or on a truck, that part we don’t know,” says Brzozowski.
The outbreak was caused by contamination of some sort by a microscopic germ called Escherichia coli. Or E. coli for short.
This bacteria lives and grows in the digestive system of humans and animals and can thrive in the environment.
Some E. coli bacteria are harmless. They even make up a good part of a healthy gut microbiome. Others, like those that made these people sick, can cause serious or even life-threatening illness.
The symptoms of E. coli infections can vary from mild to severe. Most people begin feeling sick around three to four days after exposure. However, some may begin feeling sick as early as one day or as late as 10 days or more after eating contaminated food.
Symptoms to look out for include:
Normally healthy people generally recover from E. coli infection within five to seven days. Some people, on the other hand, may experience other complications. These complications may lead to hospitalization or even death.
The elderly, young children (under five years), and those with a weakened immune system may experience more severe illness or develop serious complications. For example, at least three people developed HUS.
At least three people have developed HUS so far.
HUS, is a rare, but serious health condition that can develop after becoming sick with a toxin-producing bacteria like E. coli.
This complication develops when toxins rupture blood cells. These ruptured bloods cells clog the filtering aspects of the kidney. This can result in kidney failure and cause other downstream negative health effects.
People with HUS require hospitalization and monitoring to prevent further damage.
Symptoms to look out for include decreased urination, paleness in cheeks and inside of lower eyelids, and fatigue.
If you have been sick with symptoms consistent with E. coli infection and begin experiencing these HUS symptoms, get medical help right away!
Several lawsuits have been filed in response to this Rockwood E. coli outbreak linked to multi-state outbreak so far. Several others are likely to come as people begin to pick of the pieces after serious illness.
If you have been impacted by this Rockwood E. coli outbreak linked to multi-state outbreak and wish to make a legal claim, The Lange Law Firm, PLLC can help!
The experienced E. coli Lawyers at The Lange Law Firm, PLLC have successfully represented cases just like yours and won millions of dollars in foodborne contaminations lawsuits just like this. The firm is already entrusted to represent patients in this outbreak, and they can help you too!
A knowledgeable E. coli lawyer knows the right questions to ask and has answers to all of yours. Navigating the legal system can be difficult. Medical bills, lost work, and all the burdens that go into caring for someone who is sick in a foodborne illness outbreak can be stressful.
Contact The Lange Law Firm, PLLC today for a free, no obligation consultation to go over the details of your situation. Call (833) 330-3663 or fill out the online submission form today.
By: Heather Van Tassell (contributing writer, non-lawyer)
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