First American E-Coli Victim Dies

Jun 07 2011           Jump To Discussion

NEW YORK – The ongoing E-Coli infection that is still holding most of Western Europe in a death clamp has now claimed its first victim in the United States.

Already scientists were aware that the EHEC bacteria had spread to Canada and the United States during earlier tests conducted on a Canadian man as well as four Americans, all of whom were recently in Germany and tested positive for carrying the virus.

The death of a young girl over the weekend in America, confirms the scientists’ discovery that E-Coli has indeed spread to the United States.

The 2 year old child from Dryden, Virginia, died at the Johnson City Medical Center on Sunday after being exposed to the lethal EHEC strain.

Robert Parker, an officer for the Virginia Department of Health Public Information said tests proved the bacteria was in the child.

‘The lab results confirm the presence of E.coli 0157:H7,’ Mr Parker said.

‘That’s a strain of E.coli that causes severe illness.’

Tricities.com says that the Coroner’s report released from the Sheriff’s Office in Washington County, TN shows that the child was brought to the medical center Pediatric Intensive Care Unit with bloody diarrhea after she was ‘believed to be exposed to E. coli from a contaminated pool.’

Her brother was also been brought in with similar symptoms.

More cases of people falling ill from E.coli are confirmed in America.  According to Medical Director Dr. David Kirschke of the Northeast Regional Health Office, a similar severe strain has been confirmed in Northeast Tennessee.

Dr. Kirschke said a Northeast Tennessee child is suffering complications in a Knoxville hospital and there are seven other confirmed cases of E. coli from four Northeast Tennessee counties.

The director  stated that ‘Everyone is doing fine,’ and added that ‘from the initial tests, these look like the less severe type of E coli. We are treating it like an outbreak. We are investigating it like an outbreak.’

U.S. authorities have instructed Americans to thoroughly cook their meat, wash raw fruits and vegetables, and avoid swimming in places like rivers and lakes that could have access to agricultural run-off.

The cause of the E-Coli virus is still unknown at this time.  Scientists have conducted several tests on various raw vegetables in Germany, where the virus was first discovered, which so far have been confirmed negative.

The search for the cause of the virus is still ongoing.  In the meantime, health officials throughout Europe warn individuals to refrain from consuming raw vegetables, including tomatoes, lettuce, sprouts and cucumbers until a positive discovery of the virus has been made.

 

Share This:

---

What's Your Opinion?

You must be logged in to post a comment.

MORE NEWS:

---

French Premier Causes Arabs ‘Penis’ Problem

PARIS – As is common practice when a new president takes office, the elect brings along a new staff, including a new vice-president or premier. Such was also the case with France’s recent election >> Full story

---

Dead Man Rises From Coffin

CAIRO – A 28-year-old waiter in southern Egypt who was declared dead, turns his own funeral into a celebration when he wakes up during the burial preparations. Hamdi Hafez al-Nubi was pronounced >> Full story

---

Parakeet Tells Cops Where He Lives

TOKYO – A pet parakeet was returned to its owner Wednesday after the lost bird told police its home address near Tokyo. The male bird had escaped early Sunday morning from its owner’s home in the >> Full story

---

11 Year Old Destroys 30 MacBooks

MECHANICSBURG – An eleven year old boy placed his school in financial difficulty when he peed on 30 Apple MacBooks. The boy who attends Upper Allen Elementary School in Mechanicsburg, >> Full story

---

Zookeeper Saves Monkey By Licking Its …

BEIJING – A rare monkey at the Wuhan Zoo in China owes its life to a ‘giving’ zookeeper who went over and above his job description to save the tiny critter from certain death. When Zhang >> Full story

---