December 11, 2006

State Health Officials: White Onions at Nassau County Taco Bell Test Positive for E. Coli 0157:H7

The New York State Department of Health reports that white onions collected from a Taco Bell in Hempstead have tested positive for E. coli 0157:H7 – although the strain is different from the one that is identified with the Taco Bell customers who have become ill.

Taco Bell officials previously said that tests results from green onions had preliminarily tested positive for E. coli and they pulled green onions from their outlets. But New York State health department officials now say there is no confirmation that the green onions are the source of the current E. coli outbreak.

The Nassau County Department of Health, meanwhile, has received reports of 81 Nassau County residents who became ill after eating at Taco Bell restaurants, including four probable cases of E. coli 0157:H7 and 77 additional suspect cases under investigation. Of the total 81 patients, ten patients - two E. coli 0157:H7 cases and two suspected cases - were hospitalized. Currently, two suspect patients remain in the hospital.

The latest patient to test positive for E. coli 0157:H7 was a 19-year-old who ate at the Taco Bell in Lynbrook, at 247 Merrick Road. This patient, who was not hospitalized, had previously been on the list of suspected cases. At the request of the county health department, the Lynbrook Taco Bell will close, discard its current food supply and disinfect before reopening.

The Nassau County Department of Health has directed Taco Bell to test the more than 200 employees who work at the seven Nassau Taco Bells associated with E. coli infection.

The other six Taco Bells are:

490 PENINSULA BLVD., HEMPSTEAD: 3 (2 cases and 1 suspect)
1634 FRONT ST., EAST MEADOW: 4 ( 1 case and 3 suspects)
3950 SUNRISE HWY., SEAFORD: 2 (1 case and 1 suspect)
BROADWAY MALL, HICKSVILLE: 4 (3 suspects and 1 Suffolk County case)
1650 JERICHO TPKE., NEW HYDE PARK: 6 (5 suspects and 1 NYC suspect)
ROOSEVELT FIELD MALL, GARDEN CITY: 1 Suffolk County case (the same case as Broadway Mall)

These six Taco Bells last week complied with the county’s request to close down, discard all their food and disinfect their premises. Eight people who ate at the New Hyde Park location within a two-day period reported gastro-intestinal problems. At this time, none of these cases are confirmed E. coli 0157:H7 infections.

In all, 19 Taco Bells in Nassau County have been associated with ill individuals.

“We are taking every possible step to protect and inform the public as quickly as information becomes available,” said Nassau County Executive Thomas R. Suozzi. “We are working closely with the New York State Department of Health, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Taco Bell and Suffolk County to closely monitor the situation and get out information quickly and accurately.”

Taco Bell had announced last Wednesday that it would order the removal of all green onions as a precaution, after its restaurants in three states were linked to E. coli infections.

Details on the four Nassau County residents who tested positive for E. coli:

• One patient, a 12-year-old boy, became ill and was hospitalized on November 24th, discharged on the 26th and was readmitted on November 29th. The boy had eaten at two Taco Bells, one in East Meadow, the other in Hempstead. He was released from the hospital.
• A second patient, a 54-year-old woman, ate at the Seaford Taco Bell and was diagnosed with hemolytic uremic syndrome, which is associated with E. coli 0157:H7 infection. She was released from the hospital.
• A 16-year-old boy has been identified as having contracted E. coli 0157:H7 but he was not hospitalized.
• The 19-year-old, described above, who ate at the Lynbrook Taco Bell.

The county is asking for the public’s help in this matter. Anyone who has come down with symptoms on or after Nov. 15, and who ate at a Taco Bell during the previous week, should call the county Department of Health at (516) 571-3680. Residents experiencing symptoms are strongly urged to see their doctor in order to be tested for E. coli.

E. coli 0157:H7 is a leading cause of food-borne illness and is often characterized by 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 immediately seek medical care.

There are 19 taco bells in NC associated with probable and/or suspect sites. Also, 2 Nassau County residents ate out of state (one in FL and one in PA).

Sites are as follows:

Also, 5 are under investigation; site still to be identified.

Click below for more information on E. Coli:

Department of Health and Human Services - Centers for Disease Control and Prevention