---
title: Health officials look for source of Bend E. coli outbreak
date: 2005-10-25T00:11:00-07:00
author: admin
canonical_url: "https://marlerclark.com/news_events/health-officials-look-for-source-of-bend-e-coli-outbreak"
section: News
---
[All News](/news_events) / [Outbreaks](https://marlerclark.com/news_events/outbreaks) /

# Health officials look for source of Bend E. coli outbreak

 

 

 BEND, OR – Marler Clark, the Seattle law firm that has represented thousands of victims of E. coli poisoning, has learned that the Deschutes County Public Health Department is investigating the source of an E. coli O157:H7 outbreak that originated at McGrath’s Fish House in Bend. Two cases have been confirmed by the health department, and at least 18 other people presented with symptoms of E. coli infection, but their illnesses have not yet been confirmed. Health officials are interviewing patrons and food-workers to determine which foods served at the restaurant between October 12 and October 18 were associated with illness.

Recent E. coli outbreaks in other states have been traced to contaminated ground beef and prepackaged lettuce. One Oregon resident has been tied to the Dole lettuce outbreak that has primarily hit Minnesota. “It is important that restaurant operators, in addition to health officials, be aware of the number of E. coli outbreaks and illnesses occurring around the country for possible connections to the Bend outbreak,” said William Marler, managing partner of Marler Clark.

The bacterium, which first became widely known during the 1993 Jack in the Box outbreak that was traced to undercooked hamburgers, has since been linked to products such as apple juice, lettuce, spinach, sprouts, and cantaloupe. (See www.about-ecoli.com)

When ingested, E. coli O157:H7 attaches itself to the inside surface of the large intestine and causes inflammation of the intestinal wall. Symptoms of E. coli infection typically appear within 2-10 days, and include severe stomach cramping, followed by diarrhea, which can become grossly bloody. Children, the elderly, and persons with weakened immune systems are most at-risk for developing E. coli infection and Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome, a complication that can lead to kidney failure).

“With recent outbreaks generating significant media coverage, restaurant owners and operators should be particularly vigilant in ensuring their suppliers follow accepted food safety practices, and that food-workers are taking the necessary precautions to prevent illness among their patrons,” said William Marler, managing partner of Marler Clark.

\###

Background: William Marler and his legal partners at Marler Clark have extensive experience representing victims of E. coli O157:H7. Marler represented Brianne Kiner in her $15.6 million settlement in the 1993 Jack in the Box E. coli litigation. The firm has since obtained substantial settlements and verdicts on behalf of victims of E. coli illnesses traced to contaminated ground beef, lettuce, sprouts, cantaloupe, and other foods. Marler Clark has litigated against such companies as KFC, McDonald’s, Hardees, Subway, Carl’s Jr., Chili’s, Chi-Chi’s, and ConAgra. Marler Clark recently filed a lawsuit on behalf of a Minnesota couple who became ill with E. coli infections after eating contaminated Dole pre-packaged lettuce. To read more about E. coli litigation, visit www.EcoliLitigation.com.

More about the [parsley E. coli outbreak](http://www.marlerclark.com/case_news/view/parsley-e-coli-outbreak-washington-oregon "parsley E. coli outbreak") can be found in the Case News area of this site.

  

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##### Get Help

   

#### Affected by an outbreak or recall?

The team at Marler Clark is here to answer all your questions. Find out if you’re eligible for a lawsuit, what questions to ask your doctor, and more.

 [ Get a free consultation ](https://marlerclark.com/contact) 

##### Related Resources

   

 

######  [E. coli Food Poisoning](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/e-coli/e-coli-food-poisoning) 

What is E. coli and how does it cause food poisoning? Escherichia coli (E. coli) is a highly studied, common species of bacteria that belongs to the family Enterobacteriaceae, so...

 

######  [E. coli O157:H7](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/e-coli/e-coli-o157h7) 

E. coli O157:H7 is a foodborne pathogen that causes food poisoning. E. coli O157:H7 is the most commonly identified and the most notorious Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) serotype in...

 

######  [Non-O157 STEC](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/e-coli/non-o157-stec) 

Non-O157 Shiga Toxin-Producing E. coli can also cause food poisoning. E. coli O157:H7 may be the most notorious serotype of Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC), but there are at least...

 

######  [Sources of E. coli](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/e-coli/sources-of-e-coli) 

Where do E. coli O157:H7 and non-O157 Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) come from? The primary reservoirs, or ultimate sources, of E. coli O157:H7 and non-O157 STEC in nature are...

 

######  [Transmission of and Infection with E. coli](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/e-coli/transmission-of-and-infection-with-e-coli) 

While many dairy cattle-associated foodborne disease outbreaks are linked to raw milk and other raw dairy products (e.g., cheeses, butter, ice cream), dairy cattle still represent a source of contamination...

 

##### Outbreak Database

   

#### Looking for a comprehensive list of outbreaks?

The team at Marler Clark is here to answer all your questions. Find out if you’re eligible for a lawsuit, what questions to ask your doctor, and more.

 [ View Outbreak Database

  ](https://outbreakdatabase.com)
