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Canada: Fast food restaurant focus of E. coli
outbreak
By Kate
Adams
BayToday.ca
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
Source of Article: http://www.baytoday.ca/content/news/details.asp?c=28192
North Bay Parry Sound District Health Unit
News Release
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The Health Unit is investigating a number of possible food sources related to
the E. coli outbreak and many cases are traced back to Harvey’s restaurant
located at 1899 Algonquin Avenue in North Bay.
“To protect the health of the public, and based on initial analysis, I
ordered the closure of the Harvey’s
restaurant on Algonquin on Sunday evening at 9 pm as a precautionary
measure,” said Dr. Catherine Whiting, Medical Officer of Health, North Bay
Parry Sound District Health Unit. “At that time, our health inspectors
conducted a thorough inspection of the premises and collected food samples
for testing. Until we receive the lab results, we cannot confirm the source
of the E. coli contamination. At this point in the investigation, it appears
to have been limited to this North
Bay location.”
The Health Unit continues to investigate all possible food sources and Harvey’s is cooperating
fully with the investigation.
“The health and safety of our guests is our most important priority,” said Harvey’s President Rick
McNabb. “We are cooperating fully with the Health Unit to determine the
cause, and we take this matter very seriously.”
Currently there are seven laboratory confirmed cases of E. coli O0157:H7 and
20 others under investigation. The incubation period for E. coli is from 24
hours to 10 days; therefore, there
may be more cases. If you experience bloody diarrhea, stomach cramps,
vomiting and/or fever, the health unit advises you to seek medical attention
immediately.
If you have symptoms or are in close contact with someone who has these
symptoms, be sure to:
• Wash hands thoroughly with soap and hot running water before food contact
and after toileting or changing diapers
• Effectively clean under fingernails with a nailbrush and soap with hot
running water
• Have separate towels for those who are sick
• Clean bathroom taps, toilets, and doorknobs at least once a day with an
antiseptic cleaner (such as 1 part bleach in 10 parts of water)
• Wash clothes, especially underclothes, in hot water and dry in a hot dryer
for at least half an hour. If a dryer is not available, dry in direct
sunshine
For more information, visit the Health Unit’s web site at www.healthunit.biz
or call (705) 474-1400, or 1-800-563-3808.
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