2009 Outbreak of E. coli O157:H7 Infections Linked to Ground Beef Produced by Crocetti's Oakdale Packing, Massachusetts

At least 20 students and chaperones from the Lincoln Middle School, in Rhode Island, suffered diarrhea after a trip to Camp Bournedale in Cedarville, Massachusetts. Two students tested positive for E. coli O157:H7. Two students were hospitalized for treatment. The students attended a three-day session at the camp from October 13-16, 2009. Several students became ill on Monday, October 19. The outbreak was traced to tainted, raw hamburger. The camp has decided to only offer pre-cooked hamburgers to campers in the future. The ground beef had been distributed to wholesale distributors and institutions in Massachusetts. This outbreak occurred concurrently with an E. coli O157:H7 outbreak associated with Fairbank Farms, also affecting persons in the Northeastern United States. The Crocetti outbreak was assigned Cluster 0910MAEXH-2 by the CDC.

Overview

Outbreak began:October 2009
Affected country:US
States/territories:MA
Pathogen:E. coli O157:H7
Vehicle(s):Beef
Location(s):Camp
Brand name(s):South Shore Meats, Crocetti's Oakdale Packing, Camp Bournedale
Molecular test results:EXHX01.0438/EXHA26.0238; MLVA Pattern A

Health impact

Total ill:20
Number hospitalized:2

Sources & documents

Recall notices
Report / reference links