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Two E. coli Cases Confirmed in Tennessee

By Pritzker | Ruohonen

Health officials in Tennessee have launched an intensive food poisoning investigation, interviewing more than 180 sick people and confirming two cases of E. coli O157:H7.

The Elk Valley Times newspaper in Fayetteville, Tenn., reported Wednesday that state laboratory tests confirmed two E. coli O157:H7 infections in the Lincoln County area.

"After an extensive investigation, so far no source for these cases of illness has been identified,'' Shelley Walker, spokeswoman for the Tennessee Department of Health in Nashville, told the newspaper.

The state did not release information about the two people who were sickened by the bacteria. Walker said the investigation is continuing

E. coli O157:H7 is a virulent micro-organism that lives harmlessly in the hind guts of cattle and other animals. The bacteria can spread when manure comes in contact with meat during processing. E. coli can also spread to fresh produce when water contaminated with the bug is used in irrigation.

Infections can lead to hemolytic uremic syndrome, or HUS, a complication that can turn fatal for children, the elderly and those who have weakened immune systems.

Full post as published by Food Poisoning Law Blog on November 12, 2008 (boomark / email).