E.Coli Outbreak Deemed Responsible for Hospitalization of Two Teens

Health officials in Fredericton, New Brunswick Canada are investigating the cause of the E. coli O157:H7 outbreak that has left two teenagers hospitalized and two others ill. As the source of the bacteria remains a mystery, a mother of one of the hospitalized teens is searching through bank statements to track where her daughter ate prior to becoming infected.

Just three months prior to this outbreak, the town of Miramichi, New Brunswick was affected by an E. coli outbreak. The previous outbreak left 13 people infected with the possibility of 11 other cases. Fredericton and Miramichi are roughly two hours away from one another and investigators are looking to see if the cases could be linked. The cause of the outbreak in Miramichi is believed to be romaine lettuce.
 
Canada was also affected by an E. coli occurrence in 2002 when their public water supply in Walkerton, Ontario became contaminated. This outbreak was responsible for the death of 7 and left an additional 2,500 ill.
 
“EMSL Analytical’s experienced microbiologists and laboratory professionals use validated testing methodologies to detect E. coli in food and environmental samples,” states EMSL’s Food Microbiology Supervisor, Joy Dell’Aringa, M.S., R.M. (N.R.M.), C.F.S.P.

For more information about EMSL’s food testing division, please contact EMSL at 800-220-3675,  info@EMSL.com , or visit www.EMSL.com or www.foodtestinglab.com.

About EMSL Analytical, Inc.
EMSL Analytical is a full service testing company providing quality lab services under the same private ownership since 1981. Including the corporate lab facility in Cinnaminson, NJ, EMSL Analytical operates over thirty laboratories nationwide in the US and Canada. We provide analytical services for environmental, indoor air quality (IAQ), industrial hygiene, forensics and materials science, consumer products, food safety, PCR, pharmaceutical, asbestos, lead, and radiological samples. The company has an extensive list of accreditations from leading organizations, as well as state and federal regulating bodies.

Contact Information

Joseph Frasca

Senior Vice President

EMSL Analytical

(1) 1-800-220-3675

jfrasca@emsl.com