December 5, 2006

Nassau County Investigating Cases of E. Coli 0157:H7
Possible Link to Eating at Taco Bell

Nassau County is investigating ten (10) cases of diarrhea illness associated with eating at Taco Bell Restaurants.  One of the cases has been diagnosed with E. Coli 0157:H7.  In addition, another case is strongly suspected of having an E. Coli 0157:H7 infection.  Eight other cases are currently under investigation.

One patient became ill and was hospitalized on November 24th, discharged on the 26th and was readmitted on November 29th.  This patient, a 12-year old, had eaten at two Taco Bells, one in East Meadow, the other in Hempstead.  While improved, the patient remains hospitalized.

A second patient who resides outside Nassau County ate at two Taco Bells – one in the Roosevelt Field Mall in Garden City  and one at the Broadway Mall in Hempstead – late in October, tested positive for E. Coli 0157H7 infection. Two additional cases of E. Coli 0157:H7 have been identified in the last two weeks, but are not thought to be associated with Taco Bell restaurants.

“ We don’t want to panic the public and we’re not looking to put Taco Bell out of business,” said Nassau County Executive Thomas R. Suozzi.  “However, we do want to share with the public all the information we have at this time.”

 Nassau County is working closely with Suffolk County, New York State Department of Health, the Centers for Disease Prevention and Control and Taco Bell to determine possible sources of illness.

At the request of Nassau County officials, four Taco Bell restaurants were voluntarily closed last night due to concerns about E. Coli 0157:H7 contamination. Two of the restaurants, located at 1634 Front Street in East Meadow and 490 Peninsula Boulevard in Hempstead were thoroughly disinfected overnight and all food was discarded.   All four restaurants will reopen this afternoon having thoroughly disinfected overnight and all food was discarded.  Both reopened this morning.

Two other Taco Bell restaurants, located in the Roosevelt Field Mall in Garden City and the Broadway Mall in Hicksville, were in the process of discarding all their food and disinfecting their premises, and were expected to re-open this afternoon.

Two additional Taco Bells, one located at 3950 Sunrise Highway in Seaford and the other at 1650 Jericho Turnpike in New Hyde Park, are being inspected because of links to the newly- reported cases.

 “We want to encourage anyone with possible E. Coli symptoms to seek immediate medical attention,” said Dr. Abby Greenberg, Director of Disease Control.”  “Young children and the elderly, and anyone with compromised immune systems, are at increased risk.”

E. Coli 0157:H7 is a leading cause of foodborne illness and is characterized by often bloody diarrhea, abdominal cramps and little or no fever.  People become infected in a variety of ways, especially by eating undercooked ground beef or contaminated fresh vegetables.   Symptoms usually appear about three days after exposure, but can emerge anywhere from one to nine days. Most people recover without specific treatment in five to ten days.  However, young children and the elderly may be at increased risk of developing hemolytic uremic syndrome, or HUS, a serious condition characterized by red blood cell destruction and kidney failure, that can result in death.  Those who may be experiencing any symptoms of E. Coli 0157:H7 infection should contact their health care provider immediately.

Regionally, over thirty-five cases of E. coli O157:H7 associated with Taco Bell restaurants have been reported.