ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Mo. (KMOV/Gray News) – Two people in Missouri who were infected with E. coli have developed a rare disease that affects the kidneys and blood clotting system, according to officials.
A St. Louis County spokesperson said 106 cases of E. coli were linked to events hosted or catered through Andre’s Banquet and Catering. More than half of the cases are linked to Rockwood Summit High School.
The Ministry of Health was also informed that two people hospitalized due to E. coli infection have developed hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), which affects their kidneys and blood clotting systems.
A Rockwood Summit High School cheerleader has filed a lawsuit against the catering company. She is represented by Bill Marler of the Seattle law firm Marler Clark, which specializes in food safety cases.
The St. Louis County Health Department said their current information suggests salad is the source of illness, but no specific ingredient has been identified.
The owner of Andre’s Banquets and Catering said the lawsuit has no merit. He said his suppliers perform daily spot checks on production loads, are USDA inspected and follow strict food safety guidelines.
He also said the fact that three students not affiliated with Rockwood Summit High School were infected is proof his company is not the source of the outbreak.
State and local health department employees were at the catering business on Nov. 18 to collect food samples for testing.
To gain more certainty about the outbreak, health ministry officials will also use genetic testing on stool samples.
Dr. Amanda Brzozowsky is a senior epidemiologist at the St. Louis Health Department and is leading the study.
The health department partnered with the Rockwood School District to distribute an electronic survey to event attendees, which helped collect data on food consumption and symptoms.
The health department urges anyone with symptoms of an E. coli infection to seek immediate medical attention.
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