Developments in the Investigation of E. coli cases

(Santa Ana) – There have been several developments in the Orange County Health Care Agency’s on-going investigation of E. coli O157:H7 cases reported recently in Orange County.

The total number of confirmed cases among customers at the Foothill Ranch Souplantation is now 12 (ten people under 18 years of age and two adults). Confirmation of the 12th case was received late Friday night, April 6th. The individual is a juvenile who ate at the Foothill Ranch Souplantation restaurant on March 25th. This is outside the time period in which previously confirmed cases had reported eating at the restaurant (March 23rd or 24th). Tests to identify the strain of E. coli O157 in recently confirmed cases are pending.

The Health Care Agency (HCA) learned on Friday that one employee of the Foothill Ranch Souplantation tested positive for E. coli O157. This employee had not previously reported any symptoms or illness. Late Friday afternoon, Souplantation officials made a decision to voluntarily close the Foothill Ranch Souplantation because testing of all employees for E. coli infection has not been completed. HCA’s Public Health Laboratory is continuing to receive and process specimens over the weekend to expedite the employee testing process.

As a result of these developments, HCA Environmental Health has suspended the restaurant’s health permit to operate and will coordinate with restaurant representatives on necessary actions and steps to allow the facility to re-open.

“We still have not identified the source of these infections and we cannot draw any conclusions about the possible source from the latest developments,” said Dr. Eric Handler, County Health Officer. “Our interviews with employees have shown that they also eat meals at the restaurant and an employee could have become infected in the same manner as others who ate at the restaurant.”

Any individuals who have eaten at the Foothill Ranch Souplantation restaurant and have developed symptoms such as diarrhea or bloody diarrhea should contact their physician and Orange County Public Health Epidemiology at (714) 834-8525 (weekend) or (714) 834-8180 (weekdays). Health care providers should also immediately report confirmed or suspect cases of E. coli O157, hemolytic uremic syndrome or positive shiga toxin testing to Public Health Epidemiology.

In response to customer and public concerns, Souplantation has established a toll free telephone number to address customer concerns or questions. The Souplantation customer service number is (800) 328-7761.

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