Food
samples tested ruled out in E. coli outbreak
Posted By JENNIFER HAMILTON-MCCHARLES,
OSPREY NEWS NETWORK
Posted 6 hours ago
-Food samples tested for E. coli at Dr. Catherine Whiting, medical officer of health with the North Bay Parry
Sound District Health Unit, said finding the source is not a process that can
be completed overnight. She said in these situations there is a "pretty high" potential
that a product will not be identified, however they're getting closer to
narrowing down possible causes of the bacterial outbreak. "I am hopeful we will have a report to release, however nothing will
be made before December and maybe later." Whiting said the North Bay Parry Sound District Health Unit is working
with "many" other agencies, including heath units in 10 Ontario
communities, Quebec and British Columbia where people have reported symptoms
related to E. coli, such as bloody diarrhea. The Whiting closed its doors after there was sufficient evidence to link a
potential E. coli outbreak to the fast food outlet. When asked when the restaurant will reopen, Whiting said the health unit
is working with the restaurant. "We made sure we had all the samples and
now we don't need access to the food." As of Wednesday afternoon there
are 249 cases under investigation, of which 49 have been lab confirmed for E.
coli. At least two people have been hospitalized from the outbreak. According to a media release from the health unit, "the outbreak is
in its final stages with no new lab-confirmed cases." During its monthly
meeting Wednesday, the health unit board approved the law firm of Middlebro' and Stevens to advise them in regard to legal
matters pertaining to the E. coli outbreak. "We had to look for a legal representative, because our current
lawyer has a conflict of interest in this situation," Whiting said,
adding the Owen Sound law firm worked with the health unit involved in the
Walkerton E. coli tragedy. "They have good experience with this issue." A $17-million class-action lawsuit has been filed against
Cara Operations Ltd., the company which runs the |
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