Thirteen children were diagnosed from three states in one week. One of these children was Brody Weiss, son of the Atlanta Braves short stop Walt Weiss. These children including Brody were diagnosed with hemolytic uremic syndrome which is a failure of kidneys and the respiratory system cause from E-Coli poisoning. This syndrome can cause death. Most often this disease is caused by beef containing E-Coli bacteria. (US News and World Report).
There was one E-Coli outbreak that was the largest the United States have seen in a while. Four-Hundred Fifty children suffered from E-coli poisoning in the Pacific Northwest. This outbreak sent many children to hospitals and killed three infants. The health department traced the poisoning to contaminated frozen beef patties in the state of Washington. After this outbreak researchers found that the E-Coli 0157H7 produces toxins similar to the same toxin produced by Shingella dysenteria. These toxins are found in beef most often but also in poultry, pork, and dairy products. This outbreak caused health inspectors to no longer tolerate these contaminations. The USDA has now put out a vaccine to help prevent E-Coli in cattle. Along with the vaccine the US Food and Drug Administration has now allowed food processors to radiate there meat to get rid of the bacteria. (Lancet).
However, there is another side to this story. Companies do have health codes and to prevent E-Coli poisoning. The following is research showing these efforts.
There are many ways to prevent E-Coli poisoning, some of them we can do on our own. One way to prevent E-Coli poisoning is taking precautions such as, checking with local departments of health to see if any restaurants have and citations. Making sure you are eating at a clean and healthy place in a good step in the right direction. The next precaution to take is to avoid cross contamination when you prepare your meat and when cooking it.