At least 106 cases of E. coli have been reported in St. Louis, Missouri, with more than half involving students, parents, and guests of Rockwood Summit High School who attended events catered by Andre’s Banquets and Catering, according to the St. Louis County Executive’s Office.
At least two individuals have been hospitalized as a result of the outbreak.
The cases are tied to five separate events hosted at or catered by Andre’s, including two involving the Rockwood Summit High School community. Investigators suspect that salad served at these events may be the source of the outbreak, though the specific contaminated ingredient has yet to be identified, according to the Missouri Department of Public Health.
Health Officials Investigating Source
The state’s public health department is leading the investigation, conducting interviews and surveys with attendees to identify what they consumed. Environmental inspectors are also collecting samples from the affected venues to test for the presence of E. coli O157, the strain identified in this outbreak.
E. coli O157 is the most common strain causing severe intestinal infections in humans, according to Johns Hopkins Medicine. Symptoms include nausea, stomach cramps, vomiting, and diarrhea. In severe cases, it can lead to hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a rare condition that affects the kidneys and blood clotting system.
Timeline of Events and Affected Individuals
The outbreak appears to have begun following a school band event on November 6, with additional cases linked to a November 7 band banquet, a veterans’ event on November 8, and two funerals held on November 8 and 9. All these events were catered by Andre’s.
Two hospitalized individuals developed HUS, underscoring the severity of the outbreak. Public health officials are urging anyone experiencing persistent or bloody diarrhea to seek medical attention immediately.
Broader Food Safety Concerns
This outbreak is the latest in a series of recent food-related illness incidents across the United States:
- Organic Carrots Recall: Whole Foods Market-branded organic carrot products were linked to 39 cases of E. coli across 18 states. The FDA issued a recall of contaminated carrot sticks and celery sticks sold in five states, including California and Nevada.
- Ground Beef Contamination: In Minnesota, 17 cases of E. coli were traced to ground beef products sold by Wolverine Packing Co. The company recalled over 167,000 pounds of ground beef.
- Listeria Outbreak: Ready-to-eat meat and poultry products from Yu Shang Foods were linked to a multi-state listeria outbreak, resulting in six deaths. The CDC confirmed that contaminated food sold at specialty markets caused the illnesses.
Preventative Measures and Public Guidance
The St. Louis County Executive’s Office and public health officials emphasize the importance of food safety and thorough cooking to prevent such outbreaks. Residents are advised to monitor food recalls, discard any suspected contaminated products, and practice good hygiene when handling food.
As investigations continue, public health authorities are working to prevent further cases and ensure the safety of future catering events. Updates on the outbreak and related recalls will be provided by local and federal health agencies.
