Foodborne Illnesses / E. coli /

Oregon Raw Milk E. coli Outbreak Traced to Foundation Farm Cow Share

The Marler Clark E. coli lawyers learned on April 13, 2012 that a raw milk E. coli outbreak had been traced to unpasteurized milk sold through the Foundation Farm cow share program in Clackamas County, Oregon. According to a later statement from the Oregon Health Authority, at least 19 people became ill with E. coli O157:H7 infections that could be linked to Foundation Farm raw milk. Four children were hospitalized with hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) and were on kidney support. A Clark County, Washington, child was among those who became ill with E. coli infections after drinking raw milk from Foundation Farm.

Foundation Farm Raw Milk Tests Positive for E. coli O157:H7

Members of the Foundation Farm cow share program--48 households in Clackamas, Multnomah and Washington Counties--were notified of the E. coli outbreak associated with raw milk, and were encouraged to discard the milk. Oregon Public Health announced that leftover milk recovered from one household, rectal swabs from two of four cows, and multiple manure and other environmental samples collected at the farm tested positive for E. coli O157:H7.

On April 30, 2012, Oregon health officials announced that 2 Foundation Farm cow share members had become ill after drinking raw milk--one with cryptosporidiosis, a parasitic infection, and one with Campylobacteriosis, a bacterial infection. It had not been determined whether the infections came from the consumption of Foundation Farm cow share raw milk at that time.

Raw Milk E. coli Lawsuits

The Marler Clark attorneys have represented victims of several raw milk E. coli outbreaks in lawsuits and litigation against raw milk producers and sellers. The law firm represented children who were hospitalized in Portland with hemolytic uremic syndrome after consuming E. coli-contaminated raw milk from a southwestern Washington dairy in 2005. Our E. coli attorneys have also represented children and adults who became ill with E. coli infections after consuming raw milk from dairies and cow share programs in Missouri, California, and Washington state. See the list of E. coli lawsuits and litigation the Marler Clark attorneys have been involved in for more information.

E. coli infection and HUS

E. coli infections are characterized by acute gastroenteritis. E. coli infection symptoms include abdominal pain and severe stomach cramps, followed within 24 hours by diarrhea. The diarrhea caused by E. coli is often bloody. The incubation period, or the time from ingestion of E. coli bacteria until the symptoms start, is generally 2-4 days. Hemolytic uremic syndrome is a severe complication of E. coli infection that can result in acute kidney failure. A small percentage of E. coli outbreak victims – mostly young children and elderly people – suffer this complication. 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 raw milk 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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