The E. coli O157 outbreak linked to Los Chilangos, a Bellevue, WA-based food truck has grown to 10, according to officials with the Seattle and King County Public Health Department Thursday.

Image/CDC
Image/CDC

Los Chilangoes reopened Wednesday after they took all actions that the health department has required to resume safe operations going forward to include: Disposed of all food that could have potentially been a source of the outbreak, assured that all food workers are not ill, identified and signed a contract with a new commissary, which we have approved following a site inspection, washed, rinsed and sanitized all of their equipment before moving it to the new commissary and made all staff available for additional food safety education from public health inspectors including sanitation, cross-contamination, and cold and hot holding.

Officials note that the Eastside Commercial Kitchen, a place where several food businesses share space and equipment, remained closed as of Wednesday.

The investigation is ongoing.

In a follow-up to the E. coli O157 outbreak affecting four Canadian provinces, Public Health Canada reports two additional cases from Ontario, bringing the total to 26.

The breakdown by province is as follows: Alberta (1), Ontario (9), Quebec (14) and Nova Scotia (2).

A specific source or product has not been identified yet, and the investigation is ongoing, health officials said.

E. coli O157:H7 is a potentially deadly bacterium that can cause bloody diarrhea, dehydration, and in the most severe cases, kidney failure. The very young, seniors and persons with weak immune systems are the most susceptible to foodborne illness.

The symptoms of  E. coli O157:H7 infections vary for each person but often include severe stomach cramps, diarrhea (often bloody), and vomiting. If there is fever, it usually is not very high (less than 101˚F/less than 38.5˚C). Most people get better within 5–7 days. Some infections are very mild, but others are severe or even life-threatening.

Around 5–10% of those who are diagnosed with E. coli O157:H7 infection develop a potentially life-threatening complication known as hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS).

Robert Herriman is a microbiologist and the Editor-in-Chief of Outbreak News Today

Follow @bactiman63

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