Missouri is awash in E. coli O157:H7 right now. Dozens of people have been sickened by E. coli in and around St. Louis, an outbreak that is possibly linked to a salad bar product at area Schnucks stores. And this evening, KRCG 13 reports that several Boone County residents have tested positive for E. coli O157:H7, though the strain involved is different than the one in the Schnucks outbreak:
The Boone County Health Department is investigating three confirmed cases of e-coli. There are two more suspected cases.
Cases like these are rare in Mid-Missouri, but have been in the news lately since an outbreak sickened 33 people in St. Louis.
While the St. Louis cases may be connected to a grocery store salad bar, KRCG has learned there’s no known link between Boone County’s three cases. The Boone County patients range in age from 11 to 63.
Of course, Missouri health authorities and E. coli have faced off before. Good thing they’re a competent bunch. Prior Missouri E. coli outbreaks that we’ve represented people in: