The patient count in an outbreak of E. coli O157:H7 infections at a St. Louis County high school is approaching 100.
St. Louis County Health officials reported on Nov. 19 there are 94 infected students from Rockwood Summit High School.
When the outbreak was first reported on Nov. 14 there were 14 patients. The health department is investigating off-campus events as the probable source of the infections.
One event was an end-of-season band banquet. Health officials have not reported what the other three events under investigation are. The band event was hosted by Andre’s Banquets and Catering, but officials have not identified what exact food was contaminated.
The business has been cooperating with the health department, but in interviews with local media the business operators have denied that their food was the source of the bacteria. Health officials continue their investigation into the caterer. “One thing I can say is it’s not a cafeteria-related event,” St.
Louis County Health Director Kanika Cunningham said. “It was an off-site event, and we’re working with that particular entity and working with that location to identify the source.” One mother has filed suit against the catering company in state court, according to St.
Louis NPR. The suit, filed by Jennifer Cumbus, claims her child sought emergency care after eating at an event catered by Andre’s on Nov. 8.
and developed symptoms two days later. The child “endured extreme pain, has been unable to eat.
