According to Food Safety News, Philadelphia officials have added more people to the patient list in an E. coli outbreak that is associated with “shared restaurant exposure.”

Earlier this month the Philadelphia Department of Public Health reported the outbreak but did not name a specific restaurant or restaurants. The department continues to decline to provide that information.

“A total of 19 cases were identified in this cluster. The last report was received on Sept. 6, and our investigation into the source continues,” department spokesman James Garrow told Food Safety News.

Outbreak investigations typically involve interviews with patients to find out what they ate and where they ate it in the days before becoming ill.

The first outbreak patient became sick Aug. 30. Health officials previously reported that the age range of the infected people was 14 to 70. The department did not immediately respond to requests regarding updated general demographic information such as age and gender of the victims.

City officials said in early September that the outbreak illnesses involved one of five shiga-toxin E. coli strains.

Additional Resources

• About E. coli – a complete online resource with information on symptoms and risks of E. coli infection
• Marler Clark E. coli Lawsuits and Litigation
• A downloadable Family Health Guide on E. coli (PDF)
• E. coli Informational Video
• About Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome

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 $650 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.

If you or a family member became ill with an E. coli infection or HUS after consuming food and you’re interested in pursuing a legal claim, contact the Marler Clark E. coli attorneys for a free case evaluation.