A Monroe, Iowa, teenager died on Friday at a Des Moines hospital, where she had been taken with complications of E. coli food poisoning.
The source of the E. coli that infected Kayla Boner, 14, is not known. The Jasper County Health Department is investigating.
Six cases of E. coli food poisoning had been reported in October to the Polk County Health Department, which is investigating. Among those six were a 16-month-old girl and a 17-month-old boy who attended the same daycare center.
Boner had developed flu-like symptoms two weeks ago, according to Dave Edwards, a family friend and Boner’s former basketball and softball coach. When she became sicker, her family to her to the hospital.
Boner’s kidney began to shut down, and on Wednesday she started to have seizures, Edwards said. He added that the following day her lungs began to fill with fluids and her brain swelled.
“She affected a lot of people,” Edwards said with regard to Boner.
Symptoms of E. coli food poisoning include severe abdominal cramps and watery diarrhea. The diarrhea may become bloody and can lead to dehydration. Complications of E. coli food poisoning may include Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome (HUS), a serious medical condition that occurs 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. Blood transfusions and kidney dialysis are often required.
For more information about E. coli food poisoning, please see About E. coli and E. coli Symptoms and Complications.
The Law Firm of Eric H. Weinberg represents victims of recent E. coli food poisoning outbreaks. If you or a loved one has 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 fill out a Free Case Evaluation form. To learn more about the Law Firm of Eric H. Weinberg, please see Food Poisoning Lawyer or E. coli Lawyer.
