2019 Outbreak of Escherichia coli (Non Shiga Toxin) Infections Associated with a Catered Event, Washington
Clark County Public Health (CCPH) in Vancouver, Washington investigated an outbreak of gastroenteritis among attendees of a Red Wines and Blues event held on July 7, 2019 at the Confluence Winery in Ridgefield, Washington. Results from an epidemiologic investigation identified 43 event attendees who reported GI illness, characterized by diarrhea and abdominal cramping. Fifteen ill attendees submitted specimens for laboratory testing. The result of this testing showed three types of E. coli at the infectious agents associated with this outbreak (enterotoxigenic, enteroaggregative, and enteropathogenic E. coli or ETEC, EAEC, and EPEC). An environmental investigation revealed several public health concerns at both the winery and the food preparations processes. Most notably, some of the pork served was from a whole roasted pig, initially cooked at a private residence on July 4. However, investigators were unable to definitively establish the source of contamination that caused illness.
Overview
| Outbreak began: | July 2019 |
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| Affected country: | US |
| States/territories: | WA |
| Pathogen: | Escherichia coli |
| Vehicle(s): | Unknown, E. coli |
| Location(s): | Festival, Catered Event |
| Brand name(s): | Farrar's Bistro, Confluence Winery, Red White and Blues Festival |
| Molecular test results: | Not reported |
Health impact
| Total ill: | 43 |
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Sources & documents
| Outbreak documents | ||
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