--- title: Mystery reopened as to source of E. coli date: 2008-01-08T02:19:30-08:00 author: Bill Marler canonical_url: "https://marlerclark.com/news_events/mystery-reopened-as-to-source-of-e-coli" section: News --- [All News](/news_events) / [Outbreaks](https://marlerclark.com/news_events/outbreaks) / # Mystery reopened as to source of E. coli 13.dec.06The Northender Last week, it was confidently predicted that the source of E. coli 0157:H7 infections in the Tri State Area and elsewhere had been identified. Taco Bell Corp, the health departments of Nassau and Suffolk counties, and a number of other health agencies traced the outbreak of infections to green onions used at restaurants throughout the Taco Bell fast food chain. The chain promptly recalled all green onions from its roughly 5,800 locations. This week, it appears that white onions used at the restaurants are also infected with the bacteria. The number of confirmed and reported cases of infection continues to rise. Green onions were identified as the source when at least one unsealed package of them confiscated by health officials tested positive. The package was confiscated when eight Long Island Taco Bells were closed and inspected on December 4th (they reopened on December 5th). It was announced late yesterday that white onions taken at the same time from a Taco Bell in Hempstead also tested positive. The strain of the bacteria identified in the white onions, however, is different from that identified in individuals who have been infected. Both counties are working with each other and with the Center for Disease Control, the Food and Drug Administration, and the State Health Department. Nassau The Nassau County Department of Health has thus far reported 81 cases of people who became sick after eating at County Taco Bells. Only four of these cases are confirmed as E. coli infections. Ten of the individuals have been hospitalized. The latest person to be moved from the list of suspected cases to the list of confirmed cases is a 19-year-old who ate at the Taco Bell at 247 Merrick Road in Lynbrook. Thus, the Lynbrook location yesterday became the seventh Nassau County Taco Bell to receive orders to close, throw out its entire food stock, and disinfect thoroughly before being allowed to reopen. The locations of the six Taco Bells forced to follow this procedure last week are: 490 Peninsula Boulevard, Hempstead: 2 cases confirmed, 1 suspected 1634 Front Street, East Meadow: 1 case confirmed, 3 suspected 3950 Sunrise Highway, Seaford: 1 case confirmed, 1 suspected Broadway Mall, Hicksville: 1 case confirmed, 3 suspected 1650 Jericho Turnpike, New Hyde Park: 8 suspected Roosevelt Field Mall, Garden City: 1 confirmed (the same case as Broadway Mall). All 200 employees who work at the seven Nassau County Taco Bells in question have been tested for infection, under orders from the County Department of Health. One of the confirmed cases, a 51-year-old woman who ate at the Seaford Taco Bell, has been diagnosed with hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), generally identified as the most serious possible consequence of E. coli infection. HUS interferes with kidney function and can lead to kidney failure, paralysis, blindness and death. The woman has been released from the hospital. In all, 19 Nassau County Taco Bells have been associated with sick individuals. Those linked to cases suspected of E. coli infection, but not confirmed are located in Franklin Square, Glen Cove, Greenvale, Hicksville (restaurants on South Oyster Bay Road and Old Country Road), Levittown (Hempstead Turnpike), Long Beach (Long Beach Blvd), Merrick (Merrick Road), Oceanside (Long Beach Road), Rockville Centre (Sunrise Highway), Valley Stream (Sunrise Mall) and Westbury. Five more possible cases are under investigation, with the sites still unidentified. Suffolk Suffolk County reports ten possible E. coli cases and two “probable cases”. The ten confirmed cases match the strain identified in cases in Delaware, New Jersey and upstate New York. Last week, the County confirmed twelve cases, but this week, it is calling “probably” two cases where the patient has tested positive for E. coli, but the exact strain has not been identified. Over 100 suspected cases are under investigation. The County reports that all twelve confirmed and probable cases reported eating at the four Suffolk County Taco Bells that closed on December 4th. Two of these cases developed HUS. One patient remains hospitalized. None of the confirmed cases reported eating at Taco Bell after November 28th, and neither of the probable cases reported eating at the restaurant after December 4th. E. coli The most common symptoms of E. coli infection are abdominal cramps, diarrhea and bloody diarrhea. E. coli is most dangerous for children and the elderly. Most of those infected will recover without treatment in less than ten days. In fact, if not for news of the outbreak, health officials last week implied that many of those infected would probably have passed their symptoms off as an ordinary upset stomach and not reported them. Nevertheless, officials continue to encourage anyone who believes they might have been infected to report to their county health department. ### Other E. coli Lawsuits [Raw Farms linked to another Raw Milk Cheese E.coli Outbreak - 9 People sickened - Company refuses to recall product](https://marlerclark.com/raw-farms-linked-to-another-raw-milk-cheese-e-coli-outbreak-7-people-sickened) [10 with E. coli linked to Cheese](https://marlerclark.com/3-with-e-coli-linked-to-cheese) [Sycamore Pool in Chico California Contaminated with E.coli - Two teens in ICU](https://marlerclark.com/sycamore-pool-in-chico-california-contaminated-with-e-coli-two-teens-in-icu) [Deadly Nationwide E.coli Outbreak Linked to Grimmway Farms Organic Baby and Whole Carrots sickens 48](https://marlerclark.com/nationwide-e-coli-outbreak-linked-to-grimmway-farms-organic-baby-and-whole-carrots) [E. coli Outbreak tied to Red Cow and Hen House Restaurants](https://marlerclark.com/e-coli-outbreak-tied-to-red-cow-and-hen-house-restaurants) [Rockwood Summit High School E. coli Outbreak](https://marlerclark.com/rockwood-summit-high-school-e-coli-outbreak) [McDonalds linked to 104 E. coli cases and 1 Death](https://marlerclark.com/mcdonalds-linked-to-nearly-50-e-coli-cases-and-1-death) [2 dead with 22 injured in E. coli Hamburger Outbreak in Montana](https://marlerclark.com/1-dead-with-13-injured-in-e-coli-hamburger-outbreak-in-montana) [E. coli Outbreak in Washington and California linked to Walnuts](https://marlerclark.com/e-coli-outbreak-in-washington-and-california-linked-to-walnuts) [Seattle PCC Market E. coli outbreak linked to Guacamole](https://marlerclark.com/seattle-ppc-market-e-coli-outbreak-linked-to-guacamole) [11 with E. coli linked to Raw Milk LLC Cheese](https://marlerclark.com/10-with-e-coli-linked-to-raw-milk-llc-cheese) [Miguel’s Cocina 4S Ranch E. coli Outbreak sickens 35](https://marlerclark.com/miguels-cocina-4s-ranch-e-coli-outbreak) ### Lawsuit updates about foodborne illnesses [Reactive Arthritis Lawsuit Updates](/news_events/case-news?illness=reactive-arthritis&year=all) [E. coli Lawsuit Updates](/news_events/case-news?illness=e-coli&year=all) [Guillain-Barre Syndrome Lawsuit Updates](/news_events/case-news?illness=guillain-barre-syndrome&year=all) [Salmonella Lawsuit Updates](/news_events/case-news?illness=salmonella&year=all) [Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome Lawsuit Updates](/news_events/case-news?illness=hemolytic-uremic-syndrome&year=all) [Listeria Lawsuit Updates](/news_events/case-news?illness=listeria&year=all) [Irritable Bowel Syndrome Lawsuit Updates](/news_events/case-news?illness=irritable-bowel-syndrome&year=all) [Hepatitis A Lawsuit Updates](/news_events/case-news?illness=hepatitis-a&year=all) [Norovirus Lawsuit Updates](/news_events/case-news?illness=norovirus&year=all) [Botulism Lawsuit Updates](/news_events/case-news?illness=botulism&year=all) [Campylobacter Lawsuit Updates](/news_events/case-news?illness=campylobacter&year=all) [Shigella Lawsuit Updates](/news_events/case-news?illness=shigella&year=all) [Cyclospora Lawsuit Updates](/news_events/case-news?illness=cyclospora&year=all) ### Lawsuits updates by year [Foodborne Illness Lawsuits in 1998](https://marlerclark.com/news_events/case-news?illness=all&year=1998) [Foodborne Illness Lawsuits in 1999](https://marlerclark.com/news_events/case-news?illness=all&year=1999) [Foodborne Illness Lawsuits in 2000](https://marlerclark.com/news_events/case-news?illness=all&year=2000) [Foodborne Illness Lawsuits in 2001](https://marlerclark.com/news_events/case-news?illness=all&year=2001) [Foodborne Illness Lawsuits in 2002](https://marlerclark.com/news_events/case-news?illness=all&year=2002) [Foodborne Illness Lawsuits in 2003](https://marlerclark.com/news_events/case-news?illness=all&year=2003) [Foodborne Illness Lawsuits in 2004](https://marlerclark.com/news_events/case-news?illness=all&year=2004) [Foodborne Illness Lawsuits in 2005](https://marlerclark.com/news_events/case-news?illness=all&year=2005) [Foodborne Illness Lawsuits in 2006](https://marlerclark.com/news_events/case-news?illness=all&year=2006) [Foodborne Illness Lawsuits in 2007](https://marlerclark.com/news_events/case-news?illness=all&year=2007) [Foodborne Illness Lawsuits in 2008](https://marlerclark.com/news_events/case-news?illness=all&year=2008) [Foodborne Illness Lawsuits in 2009](https://marlerclark.com/news_events/case-news?illness=all&year=2009) [Foodborne Illness Lawsuits in 2010](https://marlerclark.com/news_events/case-news?illness=all&year=2010) [Foodborne Illness Lawsuits in 2011](https://marlerclark.com/news_events/case-news?illness=all&year=2011) [Foodborne Illness Lawsuits in 2012](https://marlerclark.com/news_events/case-news?illness=all&year=2012) [Foodborne Illness Lawsuits in 2013](https://marlerclark.com/news_events/case-news?illness=all&year=2013) [Foodborne Illness Lawsuits in 2014](https://marlerclark.com/news_events/case-news?illness=all&year=2014) [Foodborne Illness Lawsuits in 2015](https://marlerclark.com/news_events/case-news?illness=all&year=2015) [Foodborne Illness Lawsuits in 2016](https://marlerclark.com/news_events/case-news?illness=all&year=2016) [Foodborne Illness Lawsuits in 2017](https://marlerclark.com/news_events/case-news?illness=all&year=2017) [Foodborne Illness Lawsuits in 2018](https://marlerclark.com/news_events/case-news?illness=all&year=2018) [Foodborne Illness Lawsuits in 2019](https://marlerclark.com/news_events/case-news?illness=all&year=2019) [Foodborne Illness Lawsuits in 2020](https://marlerclark.com/news_events/case-news?illness=all&year=2020) [Foodborne Illness Lawsuits in 2021](https://marlerclark.com/news_events/case-news?illness=all&year=2021) [Foodborne Illness Lawsuits in 2022](https://marlerclark.com/news_events/case-news?illness=all&year=2022) [Foodborne Illness Lawsuits in 2023](https://marlerclark.com/news_events/case-news?illness=all&year=2023) [Foodborne Illness Lawsuits in 2024](https://marlerclark.com/news_events/case-news?illness=all&year=2024) [Foodborne Illness Lawsuits in 2025](https://marlerclark.com/news_events/case-news?illness=all&year=2025) [Foodborne Illness Lawsuits in 2026](https://marlerclark.com/news_events/case-news?illness=all&year=2026) ##### 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)