ONE DEAD IN E.COLI OUTBREAK
As many as 34 cases have been discovered following initial cluster in south-side restaurant, but source remains unknown, officials say
Public health officials say they have ramped up the search for the source of an E. coli outbreak in Edmonton that has now expanded to 34 cases and is believed to be responsible for one death.
“We are working very hard to get this under control and reduce the risk to the public,” Jasmine Hasselback, medical officer of health for Alberta Health Services, told reporters Friday.
“There is an urgency … because this bug is a problem.”
AHS released an update Friday showing infections have grown well beyond the initial cluster of five cases in late March.
Of the 34 patients identified to date, at least 29 are Edmonton residents while the remainder are people who recently visited the city. Eleven patients developed symptoms serious enough to be hospitalized.
The bacteria is also likely to blame for one death, although Hasselback said health officials are still investigating.
E. coli O157:H7 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.
AHS’s investigation initially focused on Mama Nita’s Binalot restaurant, where diners became infected. AHS said 21 of the 34 patients have been connected to the south-side eatery, many of whom are believed to be staff.
However, AHS also identified 13 cases with no apparent connection to the restaurant. That means public health officials have had to substantially expand the investigation to find the source, Hasselback said.
“We have learned a great deal more and we have really scaled up the avenues we are exploring,” she said.
She said interviews with the victims, lab results and an analysis of purchasing patterns provided investigators with some leads that have “narrowed down” the possibilities.
The 13 unconnected cases cover a fairly wide time frame.
Investigators identified infections from before the cluster at the restaurant. As well, new cases have continued to pop up, Hasselback said.
That means the source may pose an ongoing threat, though Hasselback said there is no reason to “drastically panic” because the risk can be mitigated by properly cooking food, washing hands and adhering to proper kitchen hygiene.
The patient who died had no connection to Mama Nita’s, she said.
The owners voluntarily closed the restaurant after the infection was discovered, but it has now reopened. AHS said it has no further public health concerns with the establishment.
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, although fresh produce can sometimes carry the bug.
The last major E. coli outbreak in Alberta occurred in 2014 and caused 119 infections. That outbreak was linked to contaminated pork products.
Anyone with symptoms is encouraged to see a doctor or call Health Link at 811.