Matador Restaurant E. coli Outbreak Announcement – King County Public Health is investigating a possible E. coli food poisoning outbreak that may be associated with the Matador Restaurant in Ballard, WA.
Matador Restaurant E. coli Outbreak
The cluster of five E. coli infections was caused by Shiga-toxin producing E. coli (also called STEC). Four of those sickened ate at the Matador on August 14, 2016, and one person ate at the restaurant on August 22, 2016. The agency says that it received the first illness report on August 22, 2016, and the most recent illness was reported on September 6, 2016. The outbreak victims developed symptoms that included diarrhea and abdominal cramps. Four people developed bloody diarrhea. Three people required hospitalization, with one person developing a type of kidney injury called hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). All five patients have recovered according to public health officials.
According to a King County press release, public health officials have temporarily suspended Matador’s food business permit while the restaurant undergoes a thorough sanitization, stating….”Our investigation is in progress but due to food processing equipment cleaning and the possibility of cross contamination that were observed during an inspection by our Environmental Health team, Public Health has temporarily suspended Matador’s food business permit to allow time for thorough cleaning and sanitizing.”
Matador Restaurant E. coli Outbreak – King County Public Health Advice
Consumers are cautioned that if they develop diarrhea or blooding diarrhea within 10 days of eating at the Matador to contact their healthcare provider to determine if testing is necessary. The agency also cautioned that “STEC and other foodborne infections occur year round but may increase during the summer months. If you or your child develop new painful or bloody diarrhea, contact your healthcare provider to see if testing for STEC is needed.”
About E. coli
Escherichia coli or E. coli is a type of bacterium that lives in the intestines of healthy humans and animals. While many strains of E. coli are harmless, some strains are capable of producing a powerful toxin, known as Shiga toxin, and can cause severe, life-threatening illness. To learn more, please see E. coli Symptoms.
Food Poisoning Lawsuit Help
The personal injury lawyers at the Weinberg Law Firm have helped food poisoning victims nationwide receive compensation for their injuries and related damages. To learn more about recent E. coli outbreaks, please see General Mills Flour Recall and E. coli Carbon Mexican Grill.
If you or a loved one has been injured after eating a contaminated food product, and you would like to know more about your legal rights, please call our lawyers at 1-877-934-6274 or fill out the Free Legal Case Evaluation Form found on this page.
