CBS NEWS – At least 106 cases of E. coli have been reported in St. Louis, Missouri, and more than half of the cases involve students, parents and guests of Rockwood Summit High School who attended events where food from Andre’s Banquets and Catering was served, according the St. Louis County Executive’s Office. At least two people have been hospitalized.
The outbreak is linked to five separate events hosted at or catered by the local company, the office said in a statement to CBS News. Two of those were attended by the Rockwood Summit High School community.
The current investigation of the outbreak suggests salad is the source of the illness, but officials have not identified the specific ingredient or the timing of the contamination, according to a news release from the state’s public health department.
The outbreak is being investigated by officials at the department, who are conducting interviews and surveys with event attendees to gather information on what they consumed.
Environmental inspectors from the state are also collecting samples to test for the bacteria, identified by the County Executive’s Office as the Escherichia coli O157 strain.
E. coli symptoms include nausea and stomach cramping, vomiting and diarrhea, according to the Mayo Clinic. It can become serious and those who experience persistent, severe or bloody diarrhea should contact a doctor.
Two people in St. Louis have been admitted to the hospital for E. coli infection after developing hemolytic uremic syndrome, a rare but serious disease that affects the kidneys and blood clotting system, according to the Missouri’s Department of Health.
It appears the cases began after a school band event on Nov. 6. Other events linked to the outbreak include a Nov. 7 band banquet, a veterans event on Nov. 8 and funerals on Nov. 8 and Nov. 9, all catered by Andre’s, the office of the county executive said.
It’s the latest E. coli outbreak reported in recent weeks. …
