Topics
Recent Updates
September 08, 2010
TAKE STEPS TO PROTECT YOURSELF PART THREE
September 01, 2010
TAKE STEPS TO PROTECT YOURSELF PART TWO
August 27, 2010
TAKE STEPS TO PROTECT YOURSELF
August 25, 2010
HOW GOES THE HOUSING RECOVERY
August 23, 2010
DEATH GRIP OF DEBT
E.COLI CONTAMINATION
Posted by: Darrell Castle
November 11, 2009
Topic: Personal Injury
The dictionary definition of e.coli (escherichic coli) is one of several types of bacteria that normally inhabit the intestine of humans and animals. Some strains of e. coli are capable of causing disease under certain conditions when the immune system is compromised, or disease may result from an environmental exposure.
Yes indeed, disease may result from environmental exposure and has done so many times in recent years. Some of these higher profile cases have been widely reported in national newspapers such as the New York Times. E. coli bacteria may cause infections in wounds, the urinary tract, biliary tract, and abdominal cavity. It may cause septicemia, neonatal meningitis, infantile gastroenteritis, tourist diarrhea, and hemorrhagic diarrhea. Environmental exposure to e. coli, when food and water has been contaminated with human or animal feces or sewage, can give rise to a serious threat to public health.
Symptoms of e. coli infection can range from mild to severe depending on the level of exposure and the strain of bacteria. Symptoms can include bloody diarrhea, acute abdominal pain, vomiting, fever, and many severe symptoms up to and including death.
There have been several well publicized outbreaks of e. coli infection within the last few years resulting from contaminated ground beef. The United States Department of Agriculture is tasked with inspecting and safeguarding our meat supply and the department's officials tell us that they are taking e.coli very seriously. The agency reports that it has adopted additional procedures, including enhanced testing at slaughterhouses implicated in outbreaks and better training for investigators. The department recommends that hamburger be cooked at a temperature of at least 160 degrees.
If you have suffered an e. coli infection from an environmental source such as contaminated meat, seek medical attention immediately and when your condition permits, call the Law Offices of Darrell L. Castle and Associates for a free appointment with an experienced attorney.
