Distributed by e-mail October 4, 2013

There is a recall of Compliments Super 8 Burgers due to an outbreak of E. coli O157:H7. This recall affects Newfoundland and Labrador, Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and Ontario. There are three London residents who are linked to this outbreak based on having a common strain of E. coli O157:H7. A recall warning was issued by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency and a local notice has also been issued. Local residents are being advised to check their freezers to ensure that they do not have the product.

Please ensure that any patient presenting with diarrhea or bloody diarrhea is asked to submit stool samples. Please contact the Health Unit if you suspect the patient has E. coli O157:H7 infection (519-663-5317 ext. 2330).

Please note that patients with a suspicion of E. coli O157:H7 should not be treated with antibiotics as this may increase the risk of developing the hemolytic uremic syndrome. Anti-peristaltic agents also should not be used. Patients with E. coli O157:H7 infections should be monitored for the development of the hemolytic uremic syndrome, which tends to occur 5-10 days (but may be as long as 3 weeks) after the onset of diarrhea, and is manifested by acute renal failure, microangiopathic hemolytic anemia and thrombocytopenia. Monitoring for hemolytic uremic syndrome includes complete blood count (CBC) with smear, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), creatinine, electrolytes, bilirubin, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and urinalysis.