E. Coli Infections Rise to 19 in N.J.
Pastor Dale Morgan
E. Coli Infections Rise to 19 in N.J.*
Monday December 4, 2006 4:16 PM
By CHRIS NEWMARKER
Associated Press Writer
TRENTON, N.J. (AP) - An outbreak of E. coli bacterial infections in
central New Jersey has grown to 19 confirmed cases, a health official
said Monday.
Authorities were still trying to determine how and where the victims
became infected over the past two weeks. At least 11 of them ate at a
Taco Bell restaurant in South Plainfield, and authorities were expected
to finish tests on restaurant workers Monday.
Seven of the 19 patients were still hospitalized Monday, said Stephanie
Brown, an epidemiologist for Middlesex County. Two of them developed a
condition called hemolytic uremic syndrome that can permanently damage
the kidneys.
``It's a significant outbreak and it's a serious disease,'' Middlesex
County Director of Health David Papi said Sunday.
At least two of the victims were adults, while most others ranged in age
from 7 to 14, Papi said.
Papi said an inspection of the restaurant, which was closed voluntarily,
did not detect any significant health code violations. Tests were being
performed on 21 restaurant employees and officials were still looking
for a few other workers.
The restaurant chain's employees are required to adhere to strict
food-handling rules, said Rob Poetsch, a spokesman for Taco Bell Corp.,
based in Irvine, Calif.
``We have taken every precaution, including temporarily closing the
restaurant until the investigation is completed, as nothing is more
important to us than the health and safety of our customers and
employees,'' Poetsch said in a statement.
E. coli, short for Escherichia coli, is a common and ordinarily harmless
intestinal bacteria.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the strain
of E. coli that caused the New Jersey infections is often found in the
intestines of healthy goats, sheep and cattle.
Most E. coli infections are associated with undercooked meat. However,
the bacteria also can be found on sprouts or green leafy vegetables such
as spinach, the CDC said. Earlier this year, three people died and more
than 200 fell ill from an E. coli outbreak that was traced to packaged
spinach grown in California.
The bacteria also can be passed from person to person if they don't take
steps such as thoroughly washing their hands.
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On the Net:
National Institutes of Health:
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ecoliinfections.html