Foodborne Illnesses / E. coli /

Germantown, Ohio E. coli O157:H7 Outbreak Linked to Picnic

Public Health officials in Dayton & Montgomery County responded to at least 79 E. coli O157:H7 cases linked to food consumed at a July 3 picnic at Neff’s Lawn Care in Germantown, Ohio. At least 14 of those sickened were hospitalized; 3 people, a four-year-old girl, a 14-year-old boy and a 73-year-old man, developed hemolytic uremic syndrome. The 73-year-old man died as a result of his E. coli infection and HUS after a 3-week illness.

Officials estimated that 200-300 people attended the Neff's Lawn Care annual customer appreciation picnic at 9400 Ekhart Road in Germantown.

Public Health officials of Dayton & Montgomery County announced August 24, 2012 that following an intensive investigation into the July outbreak in Germantown, they were unable to determine the cause of the outbreak. The investigation involved identifying where the foods at the event originated, how food was stored, handled, and maintained prior to and during the event as well as in-depth interviews with 117 individuals who attended the event.

Because the investigation of the outbreak began on July 9, when the first reports of illness occurred, there were no food items left for examination. The food served at the July 3 event was provided by the host and by the 300 individuals who brought carry-in foods. It was not possible to know with certainty the actual conditions and temperatures of food preparation and handling at the event or in the homes of those who brought carry-in items.

E. coli Symptoms and Warnings

E. coli infection symptoms include abdominal pain and severe stomach cramps, followed within 24 hours by diarrhea which is often bloody. Hemolytic uremic syndrome is a severe complication of E. coli infection that can result in acute kidney failure that typically affects young children and the elderly.

The incubation period, or the time from ingestion of E. coli bacteria until the symptoms start, is generally 2-4 days, but may be longer.

The Marler Clark attorneys have represented over 1,000 E. coli outbreak victims; over 100 of those suffered HUS.

Contact the Marler Clark E. coli Attorneys

If you or a family member became ill with an E. coli infection after consuming contaminated food and you’re interested in pursuing a legal claim, you can contact the Marler Clark E. coli attorneys for a free case evaluation. Marler Clark is the nation’s leading law firm representing victims of E. coli outbreaks and other foodborne illnesses. The law firm has represented thousands of victims of E. coli and other foodborne illness infections, and is the only firm in the nation with a practice focused exclusively on foodborne illness litigation.

You can fill out the contact form or call toll-free at 866-770-2032. There is no cost to you.

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