DHSS Press Release |
Date: December 7, 2006 DHSS-118-2006 |
| Vincent P. Meconi, Secretary Jay Lynch, Communications Director (302) 255-9037, Pager (302) 247-8523 Email: jay.lynch@state.de.us |
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
DPH E. COLI INVESTIGATIONS, RESTAURANT CLOSINGS
Taco Bell Locations Voluntarily Close To Sanitize Restaurants
Delaware's Division of Public Health (DPH) is investigating a newly confirmed case and one case pending confirmation of E. coli. The two Delaware residents ate at separate East Coast Taco Bell restaurants. As of 3 p.m. today, a 15 year-old New Castle County resident's illness has been confirmed as E. coli by the Delaware Public Health Laboratory. The individual, who dined at a Taco Bell location in Union County, New Jersey, on Nov. 18, is not currently hospitalized and is expected to recover.
Another New Castle County resident, age 22, remains a suspect case due to illness after eating at the Taco Bell located at 4302 Kirkwood Highway in Wilmington, DE on Dec. 3. This individual is not hospitalized. Results for this suspect case are expected late Friday afternoon and will be announced to the public.
A health department update from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) at 3 p.m. reported nearly 50 probable and more than 100 suspect E. coli cases were reported in seven states, including New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Delaware, S. Carolina and Utah. All cases reported dining at a Taco Bell restaurant since Nov. 15. These numbers are subject to rapidly change as states release additional information. The specific food source or vehicle for the outbreak as not yet been determined by the CDC.
All cases of E. coli 0157:H7 must be reported by health care providers to DPH with Title 16 of Delaware Code. DPH's Bureau of Epidemiology investigates reported cases of intestinal disease and DPH has asked Delaware hospitals to enhance surveillance to detect additional cases. Due to this outbreak, DPH will investigate any possible cases of E. coli reported. DPH's Bureau of Epidemiology is working closely with the CDC and neighboring state health departments on this investigation. DPH also sent a health alert to Delaware health care providers informing them of Delaware's investigation and how to report possible cases.
The E.coli 0157:H7 bacterium causes diarrhea that is often bloody and accompanied by abdominal cramps, but fever is absent or mild. The illness typically resolves within a week. However, some people, especially young children and the elderly, develop the hemolytic uremic syndrome. The regional epidemiology investigation continues and has not yet definitively identified a common source of E. coli exposure.
See also the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention at www.cdc.gov/ecoli/.
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.
