Three-year-old recovering from E coli but woman still in coma
A three-year-old girl who needed dialysis after being caught up in an E coli outbreak is beginning to recover in hospital, her parents said today.
Abigail Hussey suffered kidney failure after eating from a takeaway in Wrexham, north Wales, and is one of two people undergoing hospital treatment after the outbreak last month. Karen Morrisroe-Clutton, a new mother who also had kidney failure, remains in a medically induced coma at Wrexham Maelor hospital. The North East Wales NHS trust said she was in a serious but stable condtion.
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She is in Alder Hey Children's hospital in Liverpool, which today released a statement from her mother, Sarah, who also fell ill, and her father, Jeff.
"Abigail's condition deteriorated and she was eventually referred to Wrexham hospital, who transferred her immediately to Alder Hey on Monday 27 July. She tested positive for E coli and was placed on dialysis. We are very relieved that Abigail is beginning to recover, is off dialysis and is eating and drinking quite well."
Sharon Mills, the mother of E. coli victim Mason Jones (left) said the latest Wales outbreak has brought horrific memories flooding back.
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“It’s terrible that more people are having to go through this. Mason fought for two weeks until he couldn’t fight any more and ever since I have fought on for him as I don’t want his death to be in vain.”
While the cause of the North Wales outbreak remains under investigation, Mills said she believes both the authorities and the public still fail to fully appreciate the terrible consequences of E.coli infection.
The Llay Fish Bar was allowed to continue business even though environmental health inspectors found poor hygiene conditions and was awarded the lowest rating of no stars during the August 2008 inspection.
Mills said:
“The threat of E.coli is not being taken on board. People really need to start listening and they need to start listening now. The message needs to be drummed home that E.coli is serious and can affect anyone, not just those with underlying health problems. it’s such a powerful bacteria.”
E. coli cause of kidney failure in Iowa child?
KSFY is reporting that a one-year-old boy from Sioux Center, Iowa is in a Sioux Falls hospital tonight, fighting hemolytic uremic syndrome or HUS.
His dad told Action News today that Isaiah is normally an active kid, but this has slown him down and their time in the hospital has been heart-wrenching saying "you never think you're going to see your child in the hospital and the reality of it is, is that it can happen to anyone. … It's hard on us, but with God's help we're doing OK."
Child stricken with HUS in France; link to frozen ground beef patties
Our French correspondent Albert forwarded a press release issued yesterday by the French Ministry of Health and Sports; Amy translated.
Following notification on February 11, 2009 to InVS (The French Institute for Public Health Surveillance) of a case of hemolytic uremic syndrome in a child who is hospitalized in the Parisian region, health authorities have begun an investigation to identify the source of contamination.
The tests done on the child indicated he or she was infected with E. coli.
Among the foods consumed was frozen ground beef patties on which tests were conducted. The results of these tests were relayed today to health authorities and demonstrated the presence of E. coli. The link between this case and the consumed food will only be confirmed after further testing which is currently in progress.
While waiting for those results, the authorities have asked the producer to proceed with a recall of CERGEL brand frozen ground beef patties sold in boxes of 10 with a best-by date of 10/31/09.
The health authorities are asking people who have bought these patties to not eat them and to return them to where they were purchased.
The Ministry also has some general advice, which seems a bit lacking, but maybe it got lost in translation.
Generally you are reminded that:
- Ground meat ordered at the butcher shop must be consumed that day and frozen ground meat must be used without any prior defrosting;
- Cooking the ground beef patties through to the center prevents the consequences of E. coli contamination. The bacteria is destroyed by a temperature of 65°C (149°F). Children and pregnant women should not consume rare meat.
- Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome (HUS) is an illness most frequently originating in food, rare in France, and potentially serious for the very young and very old. It can cause acute renal insufficiency in children under the age of 3.
Over 200 sick with E. coli from Harvey's; one child 'very ill' in hospital
The E. coli O157:H7 outbreak linked to a North Bay, Ontario, Harvey’s burger joint, is going from bad to worse.
The North Bay Parry Sound District Health Unit said today there are now a total of 207 cases, of which 39 are lab confirmed for E. coli O157:H7.
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“Although we can reveal few details to avoid identifying anyone, there is one child who is very ill and in hospital,” said Dr. Catherine Whiting, Medical Officer of Health. “This person meets the criteria for complications from an E. coli infection, specifically Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome or HUS.”
The restaurant has been closed since Oct. 12. That’s more than enough time for DNA fingerprinting and to see if there are any matches with rather numerous E. coli outbreaks going on throughout North America. The CBC reports food samples have tested negative for the E. coli strain, and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency's investigation has turned to testing food handlers. After only 11 days? Wow. If this was an animal disease, CFIA would be all over it. But, it’s just people.
