New E. coli outbreak associated with hamburgers from restaurants in Minnesota

Health officials are urging people to contact their health care provider if they ate a hamburger, especially if undercooked, at a table-service restaurant in Minnesota since Oct. 31 and then developed diarrhea, particularly bloody diarrhea, in the following week.

The Minnesota Department of Health has identified 10 cases of E. coli O157 infection in people who ate burgers at multiple locations of Red Cow, a table-service restaurant chain with locations in Hennepin, Ramsey and Olmsted counties.

One additional patient reported dining at Hen House Eatery in Minneapolis, which received the same ground beef product suspected in this investigation. The ground beef product was also distributed to other establishments, so additional patients from other locations could be identified. 

So far, patients have reported meal dates of Oct. 31 through Nov. 7, and illness onset dates range from Nov. 4 through Nov. 9. Patients range in age from 9 to 70 years. Two patients have been hospitalized. Additional potential cases are under investigation.  

Red Cow and Hen House Eatery owners are fully cooperating with the investigation and have made multiple changes, including product changes, to prevent further illnesses. The health department is working with the Minnesota Department of Agriculture and multiple local environmental health agencies during this ongoing investigation. 

About E. coli infections
Anyone who has developed symptoms of E. coli infection should seek medical attention and tell their doctor about their possible exposure to the bacteria. Specific tests are required to diagnose the infections, which can mimic other illnesses.

The symptoms of E. coli infections vary for each person but often include severe stomach cramps and diarrhea, which is often bloody. Some patients may also have a fever. Most patients recover within five to seven days. Others can develop severe or life-threatening symptoms and complications, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

About 5 to 10 percent of those diagnosed with E. coli infections develop a potentially life-threatening kidney failure complication, known as a hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). Symptoms of HUS include fever, abdominal pain, feeling very tired, decreased frequency of urination, small unexplained bruises or bleeding, and pallor. 

Many people with HUS recover within a few weeks, but some suffer permanent injuries or death. This condition can occur among people of any age but is most common in children younger than five years old because of their immature immune systems, older adults because of deteriorating immune systems, and people with compromised immune systems such as cancer patients. 

People who experience HUS symptoms should immediately seek emergency medical care. People with HUS will likely be hospitalized because the condition can cause other serious and ongoing problems such as hypertension, chronic kidney disease, brain damage, and neurologic problems.

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