Bill Marler on the Deadly outbreak of E. coli infections in Montana

The Flathead City-County Health Department (FCCHD) and the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS) continue to work together to investigate an E. coli O157:H7 outbreak originating in Flathead County.

On July 25^th, FCCHD and DPHHS received confirmatory testing results of clinical and food samples verifying ground beef as the exposure of concern. Specifically, the source of the outbreak was wagyu beef from one lot number. All cases reported eating undercooked or made-to-order burgers made with wagyu beef at one of multiple restaurants in Flathead County. The last known date of consumption was July 14, 2024.

The following restaurants are associated with the 14 cases of reported illness in this outbreak: Gunsight Saloon; Hops Downtown Grill; Tamarack Brewing Company; the Lodge at Whitefish Lake; and Harbor Grille. Furthermore, based on information provided through case investigation, one individual has died after exposure to wagyu beef consumed at Harbor Grille. 

Patients associated with this outbreak were sickened with Shiga toxin-producing E. coli O157 which can be caused by a person eating raw or undercooked animal products contaminated with this strain of bacteria. Symptoms of this type of E. coli infection can include severe stomach cramps, bloody diarrhea, vomiting, fever, and chills. Young children, older adults, and people with weakened immune systems are at higher risk for severe illness. In severe cases, the infection can also trigger a serious condition called hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), HUS can lead to kidney failure, permanent health conditions, and death. Symptoms of E. coli infection occur between one and ten days after exposure, with an average of three to four days after exposure. Individuals that may be experiencing these symptoms are encouraged to contact their healthcare provider.

Republished with permission from Bill Marler and Marler Clark. Copyright (c) Marler Clark LLP, PS. All rights reserved.