If history is a guide, no obvious common link between E. coli O121 and Falafel

As of October 7, 2022, 20 people infected with the outbreak strain of E. coli O121 have been reported from 6 states – Michigan, Wisconsin, Iowa, Ohio, Kansas and Florida. Illnesses started on dates ranging from July 13, 2022, to September 13, 2022. Sick people range in age from less than 1 to 71 years, with a median age of 31, and 79% are female. Of 14 people with information available, 5 have been hospitalized, including 1 who developed hemolytic uremic syndrome, a serious condition that can cause kidney failure. No deaths have been reported.

State and local public health officials are interviewing people about the foods they ate in the week before they got sick. Among 18 people interviewed, 15 reported shopping at ALDI stores. Among these 15 ALDI shoppers, 6 reported eating Earth Grown brand frozen falafel purchased from ALDI in the week before getting sick.

Here are some prior E. coli O121 Outbreaks linked to flour, cheese, bison, water, sprouts, mini meals, petting zoos, day care, prison, and a Wendy’s.  Thanks www.outbreakdatabase.com. Many of the below we have been involved with at Marler Clark.

2021 Multistate Outbreak of E. coli O121 Infections Linked to Cake Batter

2017 Multistate Outbreak of E. coli O121 Infections Linked to Flour

2018 Outbreak of E. coli O121 Infections Linked to Raw Milk Gouda-like Cheese, Canada

2019 Multistate Outbreak of Non-O157 STEC Infections Linked to Ground Bison

2017 Outbreak of E. coli O121 Infections at an Athletic Center, Colorado

2015-2016 Multistate Outbreak of E. coli O121 and E. coli O26:NM Infections linked to General Mills’ Flour

2014 Multistate Outbreak of E. coli O121 Infections Linked to Raw Clover Sprouts from Evergreen Fresh Sprouts

2012-2013 Multistate Outbreak of E. coli O121 Infections Linked to Farm Rich Products Frozen Mini Meals and Snack Items

2012 Outbreak of Shiga Toxin E. coli Infections at Willow Grove Gardens Pumpkin Patch and Petting Zoo, Washington

2011 Outbreak of STEC Linked to Contaminated Water at Campgrounds, Utah

2007 non-O157 E. Coli at a Jefferson County Jail, Colorado

2006 Outbreak of E. coli O121 Infections at a Day Care, Nebraska

2006 Outbreak of E. coli O121:H19 at a Wendy’s Restaurant, Utah

1999 Outbreak of E. coli O121 Linked to Lake Water, Connecticut

1998 Outbreak of E. coli O121 at a Camp, Montana