Funeral visitors under 115 fell ill after eating salad contaminated with cow feces

Salad leaves ‘contaminated with cow feces’ are blamed for a major E. Coli outbreak in the Midwest.

The St. Louis County Department of Public Health has reported 115 cases, including 13 hospitalizations, in Missouri and neighboring states.

Two people remain hospitalized, while three victims have been diagnosed with hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a rare but serious form of kidney disease.

Health inspectors say genetic testing and patients’ diets continue to suggest the source of the outbreak was leafy greens.

According to local news outlet KSDK, 25 of the cases limited to St. Louis were directly linked to one specific business, Andre’s Banquets and Catering, which served food at multiple events.

The events currently under investigation include two music events at the high school, two funerals and a veterans event, which took place between November 6 and 9.

At least four lawsuits have been filed against Andre’s in connection with the outbreak.

This includes one case filed by a mother whose child received emergency medical care after consuming food at an event catered by Andre’s on November 8.

Salad leaves ‘contaminated with cow feces’ are blamed for a major E. coli outbreak in the north-central US.

The legal complaint filed in St. Louis County Circuit Court indicates that the child developed symptoms two days after the event, including severe pain and bloody diarrhea.

Attorney Bill Marler represents about a dozen people affected by the E. Coli outbreak.

From his experience with similar cases, he suspects that the lettuce leaves were contaminated at the place of origin.

He told KSDK, “They’re linking these things all to cattle, honestly, and it’s cattle feces. It’s close to where they grow the lettuce, too close.”

Jory Lange, another attorney representing several affected families, encouraged other victims to come forward.

He explained: ‘This has really devastated people’s lives.

‘Some people have had acute kidney failure, HUS, which can cause E. coli, can lead to lifelong complications and problems.

‘It really is a big deal and it is important that people know they are entitled to compensation for what they have experienced.’

Whole genome sequencing (WGS) has revealed additional E. Coli cases with matching profiles in several states, including Kansas, Illinois, North Dakota, South Dakota, Ohio and Indiana.

Attorney Bill Marler represents about a dozen people affected by the E. Coli outbreak. From experience he suspects that the lettuce leaves are contaminated with cow feces

John Armengol Jr., owner of Andre’s Banquets and Catering, released a statement on Facebook in light of the incidents, saying he was “immediately working” with the St. Louis County Department of Public Health.

He claims St. Louis County issued a press release “falsely implying that Andre’s was the source of the E. Coli” before the lettuce was tested.

In Mr. Armengol’s statement, issued on November 22, he added: ‘Earlier today, an environmental public health specialist from the State of Missouri informed me that tests on the samples were negative for E. Coli.

“While I am relieved to hear of the NEGATIVE test results from the Missouri State Public Health Laboratory, I will continue to work with state and local health departments as they now work to determine the source of E. Coli causing illness in the region has caused and which has resulted in individuals not attending events related to Andre’s contracting E. Coli.”

Despite the negative test result at Andre’s on an unopened bag of iceberg lettuce, the Department of Health says it has “not conclusively ruled out that the salad is the cause of the E. Coli outbreak.”

St. Louis County Health Department Senior Epidemiologist Amanda Brzozowski says they are almost certain it was a food product, but ‘we still don’t know if it’s on the farm, if it’s in storage, processing and distribution.”

E. coli O157:H7 can cause dehydration, bloody diarrhea and abdominal cramps for up to eight days after exposure.

While most people recover within a week, some develop a form of kidney failure called hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS).

This condition can occur in people of any age, but is most common in children under five years of age and older adults.

It is characterized by easy bruising, paleness and decreased urine production. Those who experience any of these symptoms have been told to seek medical attention immediately.

Commenting on the research, which is still ongoing, Dr. Kanika Cunningham, director of the Saint Louis County Department of Public Health, said: “With 25 cases linked to one specific business and no significant increase in new cases expected, we are confident that we are nearing the conclusion of this outbreak investigation .

“We are extremely grateful for the cooperation of affected individuals and families, especially those who participated in investigations. This data has been essential to our progress and confidence in these findings.”