E. Coli Outbreak in Oklahoma--Toxins and Death

1 Dead, At Least 41 Hospitalized in Okalahoma E. Coli Outbreak

State health officials are confirming a type of E. coli bacteria has been found in 10 patients who were sickened by a severe illness in northeastern Oklahoma.

The outbreak killed 26-year-old Chad Ingle and at least 41 people have been hospitalized and several children are undergoing dialysis because of kidney failure.

Laboratory specimens will be sent to the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for further analysis.

Health officials say many who became sick ate at the Country Cottage restaurant in Locust Grove but the restaurant has not been pinpointed as the site of the outbreak.

The restaurant is normally closed on Mondays and voluntarily closed yesterday and today as the investigation continues.

The illnesses are a very severe and bloody diarrhea with symptoms also including vomiting and severe abdominal cramping.

Source: http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,411883,00.html)

E. coli confirmed as cause of Oklahoma disease outbreak

August 27, 2008

The Oklahoma State Department of Health has now confirmed that E. coli is to blame for the recent disease outbreak in northeast Oklahoma that has caused one death and 41 hospitalizations.

In today’s news release, state epidemiologist Kristy Bradley said “Our laboratory results indicate that we are dealing with an unusual type of E. coli that produces two different types of toxins. These toxins are responsible for the very severe disease that we are seeing in many persons sickened by this outbreak.”

Local residents have been nervous about food safety in recent days because the state Health Department had released little information about the source of the illnesses. E. coli was suspected to be a cause, but the type of contamination was not confirmed until today.

State officials have referred current laboratory samples to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for further analysis. The state Department of Environmental Quality has received inconclusive results thus far from water quality tests conducted in Locust Grove, home to the County Cottage restaurant where many of the disease victims ate before becoming ill. The Country Cottage continues to remain voluntarily closed while the outbreak investigation continues.

Source: NewsOK.com (http://www.oklahoma-personal-injury-attorney.com/food-poisoning/e-coli-confirmed-as-cause-of-oklahoma-disease-outbreak/)

Bioterrorism Threat Is Ever Present

"The threat of bioterrorism has not subsided," while the challenge of predicting or preventing a major biological attack remains "daunting," Robert Hooks, the Homeland Security Department's deputy assistant secretary for weapons of mass destruction and biodefense, told a House panel two weeks ago.

"The potential for something to happen is much greater now than it was in 2001, simply because of developments of technology and education," D.A. Henderson, who was principal science adviser for public health preparedness to then-Health and Human Services secretary Tommy G. Thompson, said in an interview.

READ MORE: "Modest Gains Against Ever-Present Bioterrorism Threat"

Forcast of ethical and legal problems in Biotechnology

See this interesting article found in the Washington Times suggesting that we be proactive, not reactive to the dangers and ethical issues that neurotechnologies will bring.

Sick Building Sickness

Sick Building Sickness, linked to Ozone and Polyestersynthetic Filter

See link below:

Berkeley Lab Scientists Find Evidence of Link Between Outdoor Ozone and Building-Related Health Symptoms

Scientists Infected from Lab Strain Disease

Dr. Adu Bobie became infected with laboratory strain of meningoccal disease while working in biotech industry in 2005 which resulted in the loss of both legs and an arm. "The organism that infected Dr Adu-Bobie was indistinguishable from that under investigation in the laboratory." This is another example of improper use of safety procedures, lack of regulations and oversight in this industry and lack of rights to injured biotech workers. See story.

When will the public "wake up" to the scientific misconduct, cover-up and disregard for public health and safety within the biotech industry?