A recent E. coli outbreak has caused concern in St. Louis County, with a total of 94 confirmed cases of the bacteria strain 0157. More than half of these cases are connected to Rockwood Summit High School, where four catered banquets took place.
In response to this outbreak, a mother from Fenton, Jennifer Cumbus, has taken legal action against Banquet Enterprises, Inc., the catering company responsible for the events at the high school. Court documents reveal that a person referred to as “A.M.” fell ill after consuming food at one of the banquets and has since experienced severe symptoms, leading to ongoing health issues. The lawsuit is seeking damages for negligence.
The St. Louis County Health Department is actively investigating the outbreak, with Director Kanika Cunningham emphasizing the importance of community health and safety. The department’s team of experts is working tirelessly to understand the scope of the outbreak and take necessary measures to address it.
Andre’s Banquet and Catering, the company that provided the food for the events at Rockwood Summit, has cooperated with health officials and undergone a facility inspection. While initial results showed no issues, further testing is being conducted to determine the source of the contamination. Interestingly, two students who contracted E. coli did not consume food from the catering company, indicating that the outbreak may have a wider origin.
Collaboration between the health department and the Rockwood School District is ongoing as they strive to identify the cause of the outbreak and prevent further cases. The health and safety of the community remain top priorities as efforts are made to contain and manage the situation effectively.
