CONTACT: Stephanie Marquis, Communications Director 608-266-1683

NEW PACKING DETAILS FOR E. COLI CASES LINKED TO HAMBURGER PATTIES

Positive Cases Linked to Sam’s Club
Frozen Hamburger Patties Recall

MADISON - State health officials have identified new packaging information related to the E. coli O157:H7 investigations being conducted in Wisconsin. People should discard or return the following American Chef's Selection Angus Beef Patties:

• Packages with a case code of 7703100 and “Best If Used By” dates of February 5, 6, 12 and 13, 2008
• Packages with an establishment number of “Est.924A” and UPC code of 0002874907056

On Monday, October 8th, Wisconsin had one positive E. coli case in Milwaukee County linked to four Minnesota children that had become ill, where frozen hamburger patties purchased at Sam’s Club were the source of the E. coli. Wisconsin now has four individuals that have had positive laboratory confirmed E. coli infections related to the hamburger patties:

Milwaukee County 18 year old female
Milwaukee County 20 year old male
Outagamie County 49 year old female
Waukesha County 33 year old female

Health officials will continue to monitor for additional cases, so please be watching for E. coli symptoms, which typically appear from three to eight days following exposure. E. coli is a bacteria of the intestinal tract that usually causes diarrhea, which is often bloody, and severe abdominal cramps. Infected individuals generally have little or no fever. Some people may become infected, but display no symptoms. E. coli infection can be spread by eating contaminated food or water and by contact with fecal material from infected people or animals.

Since the organism is passed in the feces, and person-to-person spread of the bacteria is possible, people should follow proper hand washing methods. Always carefully wash your hands with plenty of soap and water after bowel movements, and before and after food preparation. Parents should stress proper hand washing habits to their children. If you are unable to wash your hands with soap and water, use an alcohol hand sanitizer

For more information about E. coli, go to: http://dhfs.wisconsin.gov/communicable/factsheets/ecoli.htm

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Last Revised:  October 10, 2007