The CDC has released updated illness counts on the multistate E. coli O157:H7 outbreak attributed to Nestle Toll House cookie dough. As of Friday, July 31, 2009, 80 persons infected with a strain of E. coli O157:H7 with a particular DNA fingerprint have been reported from 31 states. Of these, 70 have been confirmed by an advanced DNA test as having the outbreak strain; these confirmatory test results are pending on the others. The number of ill persons identified in each state is as follows: Arizona (2), California (5), Colorado (6), Connecticut (1), Delaware (1), Georgia (2), Iowa (2), Idaho (1), Illinois (7), Kentucky (2), Massachusetts (4), Maryland (2), Maine (3), Minnesota (8), Missouri (1), Montana (1), North Carolina (2), New Hampshire (2), New Jersey (1), Nevada (2), New York (1), Ohio (3), Oklahoma (1), Oregon (1), Pennsylvania (2), South Carolina (1), Texas (3), Utah (4), Virginia (2), Washington (6), and Wisconsin (1).
Most persons became ill during May and June. Ill persons range in age from 2 to 65 years; however, 66% are less than 19 years old; 69% are female. Thirty-five persons have been hospitalized, 10 developed hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS); none have died.
To view our prior articles on this outbreak, click here.
Investigation of the Outbreak
In an epidemiologic study, ill persons answered questions about foods consumed during the days before becoming ill and investigators compared their responses to those of persons of similar age and gender previously reported to State Health Departments with other illnesses. Preliminary results of this investigation indicate a strong association with eating raw prepackaged cookie dough. Most patients reported eating refrigerated prepackaged Nestle Toll House cookie dough products raw.
On June 29, 2009, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced that a culture of a sample of prepackaged Nestle Toll House refrigerated cookie dough currently under recall yielded E. coli O157:H7. The contaminated sample was collected at the firm on June 25, 2009. Further laboratory testing showed that the strain in the sample was not the outbreak strain.
E. coli O157:H7 has not been previously associated with eating raw cookie dough. The CDC, state health departments, and federal regulatory partners are working together in this ongoing investigation.
Clinical Features
Most people infected with E. coli O157:H7 develop diarrhea (often bloody) and abdominal cramps 2-8 days (average of 3-4 days) after swallowing the organism, but some illnesses last longer and are more severe. Infection is usually diagnosed by culture of a stool sample. Most people recover within a week, but some develop a severe infection. A type of kidney failure called hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) can begin as the diarrhea is improving; this can occur in people of any age but is most common in children under 5 years old and the elderly.
Advice to Consumers
The Food and Drug Administration and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention continue to warn consumers not to eat any varieties of the recalled Nestle Toll House refrigerated cookie dough due to the risk of contamination with E. coli O157:H7. This includes Nestle Toll House cookie dough that does not say “new batch” on the labeling. Consumers who have the recalled prepackaged, refrigerated Nestle Toll House cookie dough products in their homes should throw it away. Cooking the dough is not recommended because consumers might get the bacteria on their hands or on surfaces. The recall does not include Nestle Toll House morsels, which are used as an ingredient in many home-made baked goods and other baked cookie products. The recall also does not include newly made Nestle refrigerated cookie dough products; these products can be identified by labels with shields that say “new batch” on them.
Individuals who have recently eaten recalled prepackaged, refrigerated Toll House cookie dough and have experienced any of these symptoms should contact their doctor or health care provider immediately. Any such illnesses should be reported to state or local public health authorities.
What Can I do If I contracted E. coli O157:H7 after eating cookie dough?
If you have contracted E. coli O157:H7 after consuming raw cookie dough, you may be entitled to substantial compensation. The E. coli lawyers at Simon & Luke will be happy to answer any questions you may have, and we will file and prosecute your E. coli lawsuit if necessary. Contact us toll free at 1-888-335-4901 for a free consultation on your legal rights.
