Toddler Dies and More Fall Ill on the day the Agriculture Secretary Assures Americans They Are Safe
In the shadow of the European Outbreak that has killed dozens and sickened thousands, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack made the extraordinary claim he was “reasonably confident” that America will not face a similar crisis. In the same interview, however, he warned that the European outbreak “reinforces that we need to remain vigilant here about food safety.”
Unfortunately, on the same day he gave the interview, a two-year-old victim died after exposure to E. coli 0157:H7. The young girl was taken to the Pediatric Unit of the Johnson Medical Centre in Washington County, Tennessee with bloody diarrhea but died soon after. A coroner’s report said that she was “believed to be exposed to E. coli from a contaminated pool.” This assessment remains unconfirmed at present. A spokesman for the Virginia Department of health confirmed it was investigating the death but that it was too early to tell the cause. “We can confirm the death of a child (within the last few days) in the Western Region of Virginia,” said Robert Parker, adding that the “child was ill with a toxin-producing bacterial infection in the gastrointestinal tract. The investigation is continuing. We are awaiting lab results. E. coli is one of a number of things that can cause these types of infections.”
Her brother was also reportedly taken to the hospital with similar symptoms. The Lee County, Virginia brother and sister who are infected are from the Dryden community.
Many More Ill in Eastern Tennessee
At least eight people have been treated at hospitals in East Tennessee so far this month for E.coli infections, prompting health officials to open investigations in at least 4 counties. According to Dr. David Kirschke, medical director of the Northeast Regional Health Office in Johnson City, “this is about as many cases as we would typically see in a year in Northeast Tennessee.”
Dr. Kirschke also noted that seven of the cases are from the same strain of bacteria. Unfortunately, according to The Knoxville News Sentinel, a common cause has not been found. Dr. Kirschke confirmed this finding: “We’ve interviewed everybody. We haven’t found any connections. They don’t particularly know each other. They haven’t been to the same places. We’ve asked about shopping at the same grocery stores.” Dr. Kirschke could only confirm that some of the patients apparently became ill after consuming improperly cooked meat, while others may have contracted the bacteria while swimming in untreated water.
Is this an Outbreak?
In Germany, the death toll stands at 23 people and there are at least 2,330 reportedly ill, and while Secretary Vilsack is optimistic, Public health experts have sharply contradicted him and said that a serious outbreak in the U.S. was likely. According to at least one infectious disease expert, Larry Lutwick of SUNY-Downstate College of Medicine in Brooklyn, such an outbreak may already be underway. It may be, as Health officials in southwest Virginia and East Tennessee are treating the 8 cases of E. coli so far in June as a possible outbreak. According to Dr. David Kirschke, the patients have been tested and the information has been sent to the Tennessee State Laboratory in Nashville for further lab processing and confirmation. “We are treating it like an outbreak and interviewing those involved,” he said.
If it is an outbreak, preventing the spread is the highest priority. Dr. Kirschke emphasized the importance of thoroughly cooking meat and washing all raw fruits and vegetables. Health authorities are also warning against unpasteurized milk and juices, unwashed fruits and vegetables, and contaminated water. Authorities have instructed people to thoroughly cook their meat, wash raw fruits and vegetables, and avoid swimming in places like rivers and lakes that could have access to agricultural run-off.
European Backlash Against Consecutive, Premature, German Declarations that the Source Had Been Found
Over the past days Germany first pointed a finger at Spanish cucumbers, then at local beansprouts, before backtracking on both. Unfortunately, the German withdrawal of its accusations came too late for Spanish cucumbers and German sprouts. Sales plummeted and prices have dropped, decimating both industries. Germany has been warned to take more care over its food safety announcements in the wake of the E.coli fiasco which caused panic across Europe. The European Union health chief warned Germany of premature and inaccurate conclusions on the sources of the contamination. Health Commissioner John Dalli told the EU parliament in Strasbourg that such public information must be scientifically sound and foolproof before it becomes public. Spanish farmers are demanding full compensation from Germany.
The EU’s farm chief has conceded that farmer will need help, and has proposed over 200 million in aid to help producers hit by the continent’s E. coli contamination crisis. As part of the discussions, the European Commission is considering lifting restrictions on state aid to the sector to allow governments to bail out those forced to dump their produce while the search continues for the cause of the strain.
Meanwhile, the hunt continues for the source of the outbreak, following negative testing so far on Spanish cucumbers and, as of yesterday, on bean sprouts from a German farm identified as a possible source of the lethal E. coli strain. The emphasis on the economic fallout of false accusations has not helped create an environment where effective investigation can exist.
If You or a Loved One Contracted E. Coli Poisoning – Simon & Luke Can Help
Simon & Luke has represented over 2500 victims of food poisoning in the past three years alone, recovering over $450,000,000 for our clients. The firm publishes articles on food poisoning and litigation at www.myfoodpoisoninglawyer.com and is frequently asked for commentary on food safety and outbreaks by television and print media nationwide.
Call us toll free at 1-888-335-4901 or contact us by email at ron@simonluke.com – we are happy to answer your questions free of charge.
