June 8, 2021
Posted by: OFT Food Safety & Injury Lawyers
Iowa public health officials are investigating an outbreak of E. Coli illnesses in Maquoketa, Iowa. At this point, the source of the outbreak is unknown. According to news reports, at least three of the sick children have developed Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome (HUS), an extremely dangerous complication involving the kidneys.
Symptoms of HUS include:
Many people diagnosed with HUS recover within a few weeks with proper treatment. However, HUS can cause permanent physical harm or even death. Indeed, according to the Telegraph Herald, at least one of the children involved in this outbreak suffered seizures and a stroke:
Two-year-old Calvin “Cal” Notz is one of the children suffering from the rare and serious illness.
His mother, Nichole Notz, said it started on May 21, when Cal was tired and wouldn’t eat. By May 23, more concerning symptoms had emerged, including bloody and loose stools.
“That’s when we knew it was something more than just a little bug,” Notz said.
Cal’s parents took him to urgent care, where he was quickly sent to the hospital. On May 25, Cal was transferred to the Iowa City hospital for more specialized care. Cal suffered from seizures and a stroke and was placed in a medically induced coma, Notz said.
“He is improving at this point now,” Notz said Monday. “He is coming off the coma. … Today, he is doing well.”
OFT Food Safety & Injury Lawyers was built to seek justice for people sickened with E. coli and other foodborne pathogens. We offer free consultations to anybody potentially impacted by the outbreak. Our legal know-how and courtroom experience has helped get compensation for thousands of clients. If you or a loved one has been sickened in an outbreak, call us at (866) 395-8498 today for a 100% free consultation.
