E. coli outbreak
UNITED STATES – As reported in an online news article published by miamiherald.com, an E. coli outbreak linked to bison distributed by a Canadian company has reached 7 states, with a total of 21 confirmed cases of illness.
According to the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), a recent E. coli outbreak that has caused 21 people from 7 states to become ill has been linked to Northfork Bison Distributions, a company based out of Saint-Leonard, Quebec, Canada.
Northfork recalled numerous bison products including Bison Ground, ground bison patties, Bison Burgers, and Buffalo Burgers that were all produced between February 22, 2019, and April 30, 2019. The recall includes Bison Burgers sold in 4 packs of 4-ounce burgers with an expiration date of October 8, 2020. Customers are instructed to return the bison products to the store of purchase for a full refund.
The CDC states that the E. coli outbreak has reached New York (8 confirmed cases), Florida (4 confirmed cases), Pennsylvania (3 confirmed cases), New Jersey (2 confirmed cases), Michigan (1 confirmed case), Missouri (1 confirmed case), and Connecticut (1 confirmed case) for a total of 21 confirmed cases. Of the 21 confirmed cases, 8 people required hospitalization, but there are no reported fatalities.
The Dangers of E. Coli
E. coli is a bacterium that is commonly found in the lower intestine of people and animals. While some forms of E. coli are mild, others can be very severe and potentially fatal.E. coli can make a person ill 2 to 8 days after ingesting the bacterium, but the typical timeframe is 3 to 4 days. Most people who ingest E. coli will have diarrhea, stomach pain, and vomiting, all of which may last about 1 week. In serious cases, a person may develop “hemolytic uremic syndrome” (HUS), a form of kidney failure, which can be fatal.
