China Buffet Restaurant 2001
Between August 24 and August 27, Minnesota local health departments noted a cluster of E. coli O157:H7 cases in Douglas and Pope County. All five cases required hospitalization due to the severity of the infection. Epidemiologists performed routine E. coli victim interviews and discovered all five case-patients had eaten at the China Buffet in Alexandria, MN. An inspection of the restaurant noted many violations, including evidence of poor personal hygiene; cross-contamination between ready-to-eat foods and raw meats; improper food storage; and improper cleaning of preparation surfaces.
- Outbreak began:
- August 2001
- Affected Country:
- US
- Affected States/Territories:
- Minnesota
- Organism(s):
-
- E. coli O157:H7
- Vehicle(s):
- Cross-contamination
- Molecular Results Available:
- No
- Test Results:
- None
- Location(s):
- Restaurant
- Brand Name(s):
- China Buffet
- Total ill:
- 5
- Number ill by Case Definition Known:
- Yes
- Number Laboratory Confirmed Cases:
- 5
- Number Probable Cases:
- 0
- Number Possible Cases:
- 0
- Anyone Hospitalized:
- Yes
- Number Hospitalized:
- 5
- Any Deaths:
- No
- Number Dead:
- 0
- Any References:
- Yes