Number of E. coli cases linked to city restaurant climbs to 19 KEITH GEREIN

The number of people sickened with E. coli after eating at a southeast Edmonton restaurant has climbed to 19, including two who have developed symptoms serious enough to be admitted to hospital, Alberta Health Services said Thursday.

That’s a jump of 13 cases from a week ago, when the health authority announced the discovery of the first cluster of infections among people who ate at Mama Nita’s Binalot restaurant.

It’s believed at least some of those new cases are among restaurant staff.

Patrons were infected with E. coli O157:H7, which can produce diarrhea that may be bloody. While most infections clear up on their own in 10 days or so, in a small proportion of cases, the bacteria can cause severe complications such as kidney failure.

Public health officials are warning anyone who has dined at Mama Nita’s since March 15 to see a doctor if they have symptoms, and mention they may have been exposed to E. coli.

The sick patrons all ate at the restaurant within the same general time frame, but were not part of the same group and did not have the same meals, AHS has said.

The health authority has been working with Mama Nita’s for more than week, but has yet to pinpoint the source of the infection.

E. coli infections are typically caused by consuming food or drink contaminated with human or animal feces, or by direct contact with infected people or animals. Symptoms can occur up to 10 days after eating contaminated food.

Improperly cooked beef and pork are common culprits for such infections, although fresh produce can also sometimes carry the bug.

In addition to testing food stocks at the restaurant, Mama Nita’s staff have been asked to submit stool samples to determine if a worker has been carrying the bacteria.

A restaurant spokesperson could not be reached for comment.