As of May 16, 2014, a total of 11 persons infected with the outbreak strains of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli O157:H7 (STEC O157:H7) have been reported from 4 states.
The number of ill persons identified in each state is as follows: Massachusetts (1), Michigan (5), Missouri (1), and Ohio (4).
60% of ill persons have been hospitalized. No ill persons have developed hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), and no deaths have been reported.
Epidemiologic and traceback investigations conducted by local, state, and federal officials indicate that contaminated ground beef produced by Wolverine Packing Company is the likely source of this outbreak of STEC O157:H7 infections.
On May 19, 2014, Wolverine Packing Company voluntarily recalled approximately 1.8 million pounds of ground beef products that may be contaminated with STEC O157:H7.
The products subject to recall bear the establishment number “2574B.”
The recalled ground beef was shipped to distributors for retail and restaurant use nationwide. There was no distribution of the products to the Department of Defense, the National School Lunch Program, or catalog/internet sales.
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 $600 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, and Jimmy John’s. We have proudly represented such victims as Brianne Kiner, Stephanie Smith and Linda Rivera.