An E. coli outbreak linked to organic yogurt sold under the brand names PCC and Pure Eire has expanded to include 15 cases, according to the latest information from the Washington Department of Health. Nine of the people sickened in this outbreak are children who are nine years of age or younger. Nine people have been hospitalized, four of them with hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a form of kidney failure associated with E. coli infections that most often affects children.
When the outbreak was identified earlier this month by health officials in King County, they initially believed the source to be some type of fresh, organic produce. But organic yogurt produced by Pure Eire Dairy of Othello, WA was identified as the likely source of the outbreak after most patients reported having eaten it before they became ill.
The grass-fed, organic yogurt was sold under the brand name Pure Eire at Super 1 Foods, Andy’s Market and Blue Valley Meats in Walla Walla County and elsewhere. And sold under the PCC label at PCC Community Markets in the Seattle area. On May 15, Pure Eire and PCC both issued yogurt recalls. Anyone who has these yogurts at home should not eat them.
All but one of the patients is from Washington. A secondary case in Arizona, a 2-year-old girl, did not eat the yogurt but appears to have been exposed to the bacteria by a relative visiting from Washington. She did not require hospitalization
As the investigation continues, Washington health officials said it is possible that other products also may be implicated.
Symptoms of E. coli, HUS
Symptoms of an E. coli infection, including abdominal cramps and diarrhea that can be bloody, usually develop within three to five days of eating contaminated food. Patients in this outbreak have reported onset of illness dates ranging from March 9 to April 21, 2021.
HUS affects between 5 percent and 10 percent of E. coli patients. Most often they are children. This complication, which can cause kidney failure, seizure, stroke, coma, and death, usually develops one week after the onset of E. coli symptoms. Symptoms of HUS include pale skin, decreased urination, fatigue, unexplained weakness and bruising, fainting, and bloody diarrhea. Anyone with HUS symptoms should seek immediate, emergency medical care.
E. coli Lawsuit Consultation
Pritzker Hageman E. coli lawyers have represented clients in every major E. coli outbreak in the U.S. Our clients have included those who battled HUS and families who have suffered the wrongful death of a loved one. If you were sickened in this outbreak and would like a free consultation with an experienced E. coli lawyer, please contact the Pritzker Hageman E. coli Legal Team. You can reach us by calling 1-888-377-8900, sending a text to 612-261-0856, or by completing the form below. There is no obligation and you don’t pay us unless we win.
