Ohio: According to Wood County Department of Health, sixteen people in Wood County, Bowling Green, Ohio area have come down with E. coli in the past week, prompting the health department to begin investigating. From 2016 to 2020 the county only saw twenty-seven cases altogether. Those who have fallen ill range from ages 13 to 60 years old and those who contract the virus can experience different levels of sickness and gastrointestinal symptoms. Out of the 16 people who have contracted the virus in Wood County, five are currently in the hospital. One woman who I spoke to tonight was just released and indicated that the health department seems to be focusing on a local restaurant. The Wood County Health Department has sent lab samples to the Ohio Department of Health to learn whether the illnesses are connected. Results, and more information, are expected early next week.
Michigan: The Ottawa County Department of Public Health in Holland, Michigan is alerting the public to The Ottawa County Department of Public Health in Holland, Michigan is alerting the public to increasing cases of Shiga-toxin producing E. coli infections in the community. The Department is currently monitoring twelve cases of STEC, which is significantly higher than the typical number of cases reported at this time of the year. The Department is working with the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) and the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) to investigate possible links between the cases. Five of the twelve cases (two children) have been hospitalized for their symptoms.
E. coli: Marler Clark, The Food Safety Law Firm, is the nation’s leading law firm representing victims of E. coli outbreaks and hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). The E. coli lawyers of Marler Clark have represented thousands of victims of E. coli and other foodborne illness infections and have recovered over $800 million for clients. Marler Clark is the only law firm in the nation with a practice focused exclusively on foodborne illness litigation. Our E. coli lawyers have litigated E. coli and HUS cases stemming from outbreaks traced to ground beef, raw milk, lettuce, spinach, sprouts, and other food products. The law firm has brought E. coli lawsuits against such companies as Jack in the Box, Dole, ConAgra, Cargill, Wendy’s, and Jimmy John’s. We have proudly represented such victims as Brianne Kiner, Stephanie Smith and Linda Rivera.
Additional Resources: If you or a family member became ill with an E. coli infection or HUS after consuming food and you’re interested in pursuing a legal claim, contact the Marler Clark E. coli attorneys for a free case evaluation.