The Massachusetts Department of Public Health has confirmed E. coli O157: H7 as the cause of death of a 6 year old child from Millbury, Massachusetts. He passed away on Saturday, May 26th from complications of hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), which is almost always caused by E. coli O157.
The evidence points to contaminated food as the source of the E. coli infection, but the investigation is ongoing.
E. coli O157 Transmission
E. coli bacteria are one-celled organisms about 0.5 microns wide and 2 microns long. A micron is one one-thousandth of a millimeter, and there are about 25.4 millimeters in an inch. It only takes a few E. coli cells to sicken a child.
E. coli must be swallowed to cause infection. In all cases of E. coli O157, the source of the pathogen is feces, usually cow manure, but deer, goats, llamas and other animals can also be carriers of E. coli bacteria. If contaminated feces gets on food or in water and is then consumed by a child, the child will get sick. (Note: As parents we understand the guilt that parents can feel, but we want them to know that E. coli poisoning is not their fault. It may help to give our E. coli lawyers a call just to talk about this and get legal help. You are under no obligation to hire our law firm to represent you and your child.)
E. coli and HUS illnesses have been linked to ground beef, mechanically-tenderized steak, raw milk, apple cider, salami, spinach, lettuce, sprouts, raw cookie dough, pepperoni pizza, other foods, and contaminated well water. The degree of illness depends on a number of variables. The CDC recommends that children with E. coli symptoms not be given antibiotics because they increase the risk of developing hemolytic uremic syndrome. (Again, parents, if your child took antibiotics and developed HUS, it is not your fault.)
Fred Pritzker is lead attorney for our E. coli O157 and HUS cases. He and his team of E. coli lawyers have won millions for their clients. Contact Fred for a free consultation.