The devastating E. coli O157:H7 outbreak that has sickened at least 75 people in Germantown, Ohio, is continuing to cause a lot of pain.  A 73-year-old man died last week, and a 14-year-old boy was just released from the hospital, and is likely home recovering from the effects of hemolytic uremic syndrome.  A 4-year-old girl remains hospitalized in serious condition with HUS. 

The outbreak began with people who ate at a July 3 customer appreciation picnic for a lawn care business in Germantown, about 15 miles southwest of Dayton.  Fourteen people have been hospitalized. 

The Ohio Department of Health’s Outbreak Response and Bioterrorism Investigation Team (ORBIT) is still trying to figure out exactly what the source of infection was.  What we know is that the outbreak has been linked to a July 3 carry-in picnic at Neff’s Lawn Care in German Twp. An estimated 300 people attended the picnic, and many brought food to share. The hosts supplied and prepared some of the meat that was served.

For resources on hemolytic uremic syndrome, see www.about-hus.com.