According to Dr. Debra Williams of the Madison County Health Department in Alabama, eight more individuals have tested positive for E. coli, bringing the total to 14 confirmed cases. Most of the victims are children or young adults, and five remain hospitalized. It is expected that more cases will be confirmed.
Dr. Williams also indicated that while the exact source of the bacteria has not been determined, most of the patients had eaten at Little Rosie's Taqueria on Whitesburg Drive in Huntsville in late June.
Initial symptoms of E. coli food poisoning may include abdominal cramps and watery diarrhea. The diarrhea may become bloody, and can lead to dehydration. Fever may or may not be present. Sometimes there are no symptoms at all. Symptoms usually resolve in 5-10 days.
Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome (HUS), a serious complication of E. coli infection, may occur in about 2%-7% of cases. HUS is characterized by destruction of red blood cells, damage to the lining of blood vessel walls, and, in severe cases, kidney failure. Children and the elderly are at greatest risk for developing HUS.
The Law Firm of Eric H. Weinberg currently represents victims of food poisoning outbreaks throughout the United States. If you or a loved one have been harmed by E. coli food poisoning, and you have a question about your legal rights, please call us toll free at 1-877-934-6274 for a free case evaluation, or click on free case evaluation to submit your questions. For more information about E. coli, please visit our sponsored websites at www.foodpoisoning.com and www.ecolilawsuit.com .
For information concerning recent food poisoning outbreaks, please see Salmonella Lawyer and Salmonella Lawsuit.