DHSS Press Release |
Date: December 11, 2006 DHSS-121-2006 |
| Vincent P. Meconi, Secretary Jay Lynch, Communications Director (302) 255-9037, Pager (302) 247-8523 Email: jay.lynch@state.de.us |
Contact: Reporters Phone: 302-744-4907 |
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
DIVISION OF PUBLIC HEALTH E. COLI UPDATE
Delaware's Division of Public Health (DPH) provides the following update on investigations of possible E. coli cases associated with Taco Bell restaurants, and food safety actions taken with the 15 restaurant locations in Delaware.
Note: The status of early cases may have changed. Cases are confirmed or not a case based on laboratory test results. Per policy, DPH does not provide or confirm names of cases or clients
| CDC CATEGORY | AGE | SEX | COUNTY RESIDING | TACO BELL | CURRENT STATUS | DATE DINED | DATE DPH NOTIFIED |
| confirmed | 15 | F | New Castle | Union County, N. Jersey | Not hospitalized | 11/18/06 | 11/28/06 |
| not a case | 22 | F | New Castle | 4302 Kirkwood Highway, Wilmington, DE | Not hospitalized | 12/03/06 | 12/7/06 |
| confirmed | 21 | M | New Castle | 3902 Concord Pike, DE | Not hospitalized | 11/20/06 | 12/8/06 |
| suspect | 59 | F | New Castle | 379 East Chestnut Hill Plaza, Newark, DE | Not hospitalized | 11/27/06 | 12/08/06 |
| suspect | 14 | M | New Castle | 3902 Concord Pike, Wilmington, DE | Not hospitalized | 12/02/06 | 12/08/06 |
TOTAL CASES = 4
Thirteen Delaware Taco Bell locations were re-inspected today by DPH, found in compliance and allowed to immediately re-open. The three restaurants found with violations Dec. 5, (1917 Lancaster Ave., Milford and Smyrna) were among those in compliance. Interventions were lifted for the Taco Bell at 4302 Kirkwood Highway after lab tests indicated that the ill individual who had dined there did not have E. coli.
Taco Bell restaurants at 379 East Chestnut Hill Plaza and 3902 Concord Pike remain closed pending completion of the following four interventions and test results on employee stool cultures. These laboratory results will be available next week.
- Clean and sanitize the entire facility.
- Discard and resupply foods currently on the restaurant premises.
- Collect stool samples from all food workers for testing for E. coli 0157. Any symptomatic workers or culture-positive workers must not work their labs tests are negative for E. coli.
- Provide enhanced training in proper food handling and hygiene to food workers.
Next update 12/11/06.
Delaware Health and Social Services is committed to improving the quality of the lives of Delaware's citizens by promoting health and well-being, fostering self-sufficiency, and protecting vulnerable populations.
