Seven people became ill after eating contaminated ground beef that had been purchased at various locations on Long Island. The individuals became ill between June 9 and July 3. According to Dr. Humayun J. Chaudhry, Suffolk County (NY) Health Commissioner, most of the seven had eaten the ground beef at local barbecues rather than restaurants.
Included in the seven cases is an 8-year-old girl from North Carolina who experienced hemolytic uremic syndrome, a serious complication of E. coli food poisoning that can cause kidney failure. She is recovering, Dr. Chaudhry said.
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, two of the Long Island cases of E. coli O157 food poisoning have been identified as matches with E. coli strains tested in Minnesota and California cases, and one Long Island case matches an outbreak strain in Michigan. A fourth Long Island case resulted from a newly identified strain of E. coli that has not been identified in the U.S. before. Dr. Chaudry noted that both federal and local health officials are investigating the Long Island outbreak.
E. coli foodborne illness is most often associated with eating undercooked, contaminated ground beef and other meat products. Cooking meat to an internal temperature, at its thickest part, of at least 160 degrees Fahrenheit is one way to help prevent E. coli food poisoning.
Symptoms of E. coli food poisoning may include abdominal cramps and watery diarrhea. The diarrhea may become bloody, and can lead to dehydration. Fever may or may not be present. Sometimes there are no symptoms at all. Symptoms usually resolve in 5-10 days.
The Law Firm of Eric H. Weinberg currently represents victims of food poisoning outbreaks throughout the United States. If you or a loved one have been harmed by E. coli food poisoning, and you have a question about your legal rights, please call us toll free at 1-877-934-6274 for a free case evaluation, or click on free case evaluation to submit your questions. For more information about E. coli, visit the following pages of this website: “About E. coli” and “Common Symptoms and Complications.” You may also visit the website foodpoisoning.com.
To learn more about the
