Home -> Law Blog Directory -> New Law Blogs Blogs -> Food Poisoning Law Blog

New Law Blogs

: Food Poisoning Law Blog

Ohio E. coli Cases May Be Connected

By Pritzker | Ruohonen

Several cases of E. coli in central Ohio may be connected.  Seven cases were reported to three counties in July:

• Delaware County (1)
• Fairfield (3)
• Franklin (3)

Because these cases were reported within a short period of time, health officials believe they may be connected.  According to a story in the Columbus Dispatch, the most recent case of E. coli involved a woman who was hospitalized for three days:

A 55-year-old Delaware County woman who was hospitalized for three days with an E. coli infection brings the total number of central Ohio cases reported since June 4 to seven.

The woman is now home and has been interviewed about what and where she ate prior to the infection, said Jesse Carter, spokesman for the Delaware General Health District.

Health officials are also looking into the May 27 death of a Gahanna woman who had been hospitalized with an E. coli infection, according to the Columbus Dispatch story. 

E. coli can be spread through contaminated food or water, animal contact, or person-to-person contact.  Recent foodborne outbreaks of E. coli infections have involved spinach, lettuce and ground beef.  An E. coli outbreak in Washington State has been associated with bagged, commercial romaine lettuce.

Full post as published by Food Poisoning Law Blog on June 13, 2008 (boomark / email).