E. Coli 0157:H7 Can Be Deadly
Contamination from this organism recently has dominated the news. You've probably read quite a bit about the spinach contamination cases. Don't think that this problem is confined to California. Foodborne illnesses have become a major issue --- affecting the food supply coast to coast. While the CDC states that such foodborne illnesses have decreased in number over the past few years, long standing problems remain with the handling and growing of food in this country. Perhaps it's time for more food companies to be held accountable.
What are the long-term consequences of E. coli infection? First, note that not all E. coli strains are harmful. E. coli O157:H7 is one of hundreds of strains of the bacterium Escherichia coli. This form, however, can cause everything from bloody diarrhea to kidney failure to death.
Persons who only have diarrhea usually recover completely. A small number of infected individuals can develop a serious disease called hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). Such an infection can have lifelong implications, such as blindness, paralysis, persistent kidney failure, and the effects of having part of their bowel removed. Some HUS victims have mild abnormalities in kidney function many years later.
More in the Injury Law Report soon about this food borne illness.