DHSS Press Release |
Date: December 11, 2006 DHSS-123-2006 |
| 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 |
DIVISION OF PUBLIC HEALTH E. COLI UPDATE
Update as of 11a.m
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. There are no additional cases to report at this time. Tests performed by the Delaware Public Health Laboratory on food samples from the Taco Bell at 4302 Kirkwood Highway were found negative today for E. coli. Foods included lettuce, tomato, cilantro, cheese and salsa.
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 |
Only the 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.
- 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 until their labs tests are negative for E. coli. These laboratory results will be available at the end of the week. Symptomatic workers without a positive culture will be able to work in a non-food handling capacity, consistent with DPH and FDA code.
- Provide enhanced training in proper food handling and hygiene to food workers.
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.
