UnknowneThe New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), Division of Public Health Services (DPHS) is investigating an outbreak of Escherichia coli O157:H7 (E. coli) associated with ground beef. Since June, 12 people have been infected with the same strain of E. coli after eating ground beef. Investigations are underway to determine the source of the ground beef. The safety of ground beef in the United States is regulated by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), which is assisting DPHS with the investigation.

“The Division of Public Health Services is working with our federal partners to investigate the source of the ground beef that is causing people in New Hampshire to become ill,” said Marcella Bobinsky, Acting Director of DPHS. “Ground beef is a known source of E. coli and it is important for people to avoid eating under-cooked ground beef whether at home or at a restaurant. Young children and the elderly are especially vulnerable to severe illness with this infection.”

The people who became ill ate ground beef at a number of different locations. DPHS and USDA are actively working to identify the specific source of the ground beef and will provide updates as they become available. This outbreak does not present a risk to New Hampshire residents as long as they strictly follow food safety best practices. Ground beef should be cooked to a temperature of at least 160°F or 70˚C. It is best to use a thermometer, since color is not a very reliable indicator of ‘doneness.’ People should also prevent cross contamination in food preparation areas by thoroughly washing hands, counters, cutting boards, and utensils after they touch raw meat.

Escherichia coli O157:H7 is bacteria that causes severe stomach cramps, diarrhea (often bloody), and vomiting. If there is fever, it usually is not very high. Most people get better within 5–7 days. Some infections are very mild, but others are severe or even life-threatening. Very young children and the elderly are more likely to develop a potentially life-threatening complication known as hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). Antibiotics should not be used to treat this infection because they may increase the risk of HUS.

For further information visit the CDC website at http://www.cdc.gov/ecoli/general/index.html, or to report a suspected case contact the DPHS Bureau of Infectious Disease Control at 603-271-4496.

Marler Clark, The Food Safety Law Firm, is the nation’s leading law firm representing victims of E. coli outbreaks and hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). The E. coli lawyers of Marler Clark have represented thousands of victims of E. coli and other foodborne illness infections and have recovered over $600 million for clients. Marler Clark is the only law firm in the nation with a practice focused exclusively on foodborne illness litigation.  Our E. coli lawyers have litigated E. coli and HUS cases stemming from outbreaks traced to ground beef, raw milk, lettuce, spinach, sprouts, and other food products.  The law firm has brought E. coli lawsuits against such companies as Jack in the Box, Dole, ConAgra, Cargill, and Jimmy John’s.  We have proudly represented such victims as Brianne Kiner, Stephanie Smith and Linda Rivera.

If you or a family member became ill with an E. coli infection or HUS after consuming food and you’re interested in pursuing a legal claim, contact the Marler Clark E. coli attorneys for a free case evaluation.

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Photo of Anthony Marangon Anthony Marangon

Anthony joined Marler Clark as an associate attorney in August 2015, after graduating from Seattle University School of Law with honors. During law school, Anthony worked as an in-house legal intern at Weyerhaeuser Company, where he focused in environmental and natural resources law.

Anthony joined Marler Clark as an associate attorney in August 2015, after graduating from Seattle University School of Law with honors. During law school, Anthony worked as an in-house legal intern at Weyerhaeuser Company, where he focused in environmental and natural resources law. He also served as a summer clerk at the firm of Fortier & Mikko, P.C. in Anchorage, Alaska, and served as a legal extern at the King County Superior Court to Judge (now Justice) Mary Yu, of the Washington State Supreme Court. Anthony spent the last year of law school working as a Rule 9 Legal Licensed Intern with Marler Clark, where he worked closely with Bill Marler and Denis Stearns on research projects that covered a variety of complex legal issues, such as the recovery of emotional distress damages in cases involving consumption of recalled food, and the differing legal standards applicable to the certification of class actions under federal and state laws.