About Foodborne Illness

Today’s headlines are filled with reports of foodborne illnesses caused by pathogens such as E. coli 0157:H7, Salmonella spp., Listeria monocytogenes and Campylobacter jejuni. Those pathogens are among the leading causes of outbreaks of foodborne illness in the United States. Given their prominence in the headlines and in the nation’s public health laboratories, it may surprise some to learn that as recently as three decades ago many of these disease-spreading bacteria were not linked to foodborne illnesses.

Foodborne illness is an evolving field of research and one that requires a thorough knowledge and expertise. New causes of foodborne illness and food poisoning, as many call it, are identified routinely. The experienced food poisoning attorneys of Neblett, Beard & Arsenault have advocated for food safety on behalf of people harmed by contaminated food and water for nearly three decades, including clients in Texas, Arkansas, Mississippi, Louisiana and across the country. We understand the complications and serious consequences of these illnesses.

If you or a loved one has been harmed by contaminated food, you may have a right to compensation for your injuries. Contact our law firm to discuss your legal rights. Call us at 1-800-256-1050 or use our online contact form.

More than 250 foodborne pathogens have been identified. Microscopic bacteria, viruses and parasites cause many of the illnesses. Toxins and chemicals such as pesticides that taint foods cause others. The occurrence of large multi-state outbreaks points to gaps in food safety and the need to evaluate handling practices as food moves from the farm to the table. The foods associated with the most cases of foodborne illness are poultry (21 percent of all cases), leafy vegetables (17 percent), and fruits and nuts (16 percent), according to a recent analysis by the Centers for Disease Control. Contaminated water is another very common source.

After a person swallows contaminated food or drink, there is usually an incubation period before symptoms appear. The invading microbes move through the stomach into the intestine, where they attach to the walls of the intestine and multiply. The incubation period can range from hours to days, depending on the particular pathogen. The first symptoms typically are nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramps.

Three pathogens – Salmonella, Listeria and Toxoplasma -- are responsible for more than 1,500 deaths each year­, or about 75 percent of those caused by known pathogens.

Escherichia coli-- primarily a virulent bacterial strain known as E. coli 0157:H7 -- cause approximately 100,000 illnesses, 3,000 hospitalizations and 90 deaths a year in the United States. Approximately eight percent of the patients diagnosed with an E. coli 0157:H7 infection develop a serious complication, Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome (HUS). Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome (HUS) is a life-threatening condition characterized by improper clotting of the blood and kidney failure. In the last 15 years, researchers have determined that Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome(HUS) usually starts as an infection of E. coli 0157:H7. It is the leading cause of acute kidney failure for children in the U.S.

Other effects and complications of foodborne illness include reactive arthritis, also known as Reiter’s Syndrome. This can occur when the body’s immune system attacks joints and the skin as it seeks to fight invading bacteria such as Salmonella and Campylobacter. Campylobacteriosis, the disease caused by strains of Campylobacter bacteria, is associated with 40 percent of cases of Guillian-Barre syndrome, an auto-immune disease that affects the lining of the nerves, causing paralysis. Botulism, a rare food poisoning associated with homemade canned goods, can lead to nerve damage, paralysis and death.

Advocating for Food Safety

The foodborne illness lawyers at Neblett, Beard & Arsenault promote food safety through legal advocacy, information outreach and analysis of food poisoning outbreaks. If you or a loved one has suffered serious complications from a foodborne illness, please contact Neblett, Beard & Arsenault for a free evaluation of your case. Contact our firm by calling 1-800-256-1050 or use our online contact form.

Sources:
http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/rr5812a1.htm
http://www.cdc.gov/media/pressrel/2009/r090611.htm