Jill
Greenfield, partner in our personal
injury department, is a
specialist in E Coli 0157 cases.
Jill acts for 34 people who became ill after they were
exposed to E Coli 0157 at Godstone Farm in Surrey. She recently
received judgment from the courts formally recognising the farm’s
liability in the case.
The judgment, issued in response to a group
action against the farm, recognises that 34 individuals, the
majority of whom are children, suffered serious health
consequences due to their exposure to E Coli 0157 whilst visiting
the farm in Surrey.
The E Coli 0157 outbreak in August 2009 was
the largest ever linked to an open farm in the UK. E Coli
0157 is a particularly dangerous strain of E Coli and can cause
serious illness including renal failure and death in children under
five and the elderly. It is specifically carried in farm animals
and is a relatively new strain of bacteria, distinct from the E
Coli that we all carry.
If you believe you have an E Coli
claim, please call Jill
Greenfield on 020 7681
4557 or Richard
Earle on 020 7861 4041. We act on a
'no win, no fee' basis.
If you or a member of your family has been affected by an
outbreak of E Coli 0157 (Escherichia Coli
infection 0157) our specialist solicitors can help you pursue a
personal injury claim for
compensation.
Read the latest coverage of the Godstone Farm
case:
The 10 things you need to know about E Coli 0157
What is E Coli?
Escherichia Coli is a common bacteria which we all need in our
bodies to help us absorb vitamin K (the blood-clotting vitamin)
and break down cellulose (also known as
dietary fibre or roughage). It is often found in the gut of both
humans and animals. It can live on surfaces such as metal and can
be difficult to detect. Most E Coli is harmless, however,
there are certain strains, such as E Coli 0157, that are dangerous
and can be potentially life threatening for young children
(particularly those under the age of five) or the
elderly.
How is the 0157 strain different?
0157 is a mutant form of E Coli which lives in the intestines of
some cattle, sheep and goats but is not found in the intestines of
humans. It produces toxins which can be potentially fatal when
ingested in very small amounts. To put this into perspective, it
could take up to one million salmonella organisms to be
ingested before symptoms could present themselves, whereas it
could take as little as 10 E coli 0157 organisms for similar
symptoms to arise.
How is E Coli 0157 passed on?
E Coli 0157 is transferred through faecal
material and needs to be ingested, so good hygiene is essential
although hygiene measures may not be enough. The main source is
cattle, with water being key vehicle for the organism, if
polluted with manure. 0157 can also live on metal, wood or on the
ground for many months.
The first 0157 strain was identified
in 1982 and the number of cases have risen significantly over the
years. Some of the
proven carriers include eating uncooked
beef burgers and drinking unpasteurised milk or even drinking
cider that was made from apples contaminated by cow manure. However
more recently environmental causes have been blamed, including
touching infected animals or playing in fields once occupied by
cattle or sheep.
Is E Coli 0157 contagious?
Yes, E Coli 0157 is very contagious as the number of
bacteria that you need to be exposed to is very
small. The bacteria can be readily spread from person to
person, particularly amongst families, child care/nursery
facilities and elderly residential and day care centres.
What are the symptoms?
Generally, E Coli 0157 will lead to symptoms
similar to salmonella, the food poisoning infection, where
vomiting, severe abdominal pain, sickness and diarrhoea (often
bloody) will be evident.
In some of the worst seen cases E Coli
0157 produces toxins which can lead to Haemolytic Uraemic
Syndrome (HUS) which can cause Renal Failure potentially leading to
brain damage or death. Some people, particularly the elderly, may
develop thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) which can
sometimes result in diseases such as encephalitis, psychosis,
comas or seizures.
What is Haemolytic Uraemic Syndrome?
Haemolytic Uraemic Syndrome (HUS) is a rare
kidney disorder that mostly affects children under the age of 10.
It destroys red blood cells and the lining of blood vessels and is
often caused by E Coli 0157 bacteria. People with HUS may get
acute renal failure or lose the ability for blood to clot.
Acute renal failure is when the kidneys
suddenly stop working, although it is possible for the kidneys to
recover from almost complete loss of function.
What should I do if I think my child or relative has E Coli
0157?
Consult your GP/A&E department straight away. Do
not use over-the-counter medicines as some
have shown to increase the chances of E Coli 0157 developing
into HUS. Antibiotics are generally not prescribed either as these
also have been proven to have detrimental effects, however your GP
is best placed to prescribe whatever form of treatment is best for
the specific level of infection.
What is the treatment for E Coli 0157?
The treatment will depend on how severe
the symptoms are and whether it is a cystitis or intestine
infection. If it is a cystitis infection it would usually
clear up by itself after two to four days although a
short course of antibiotics may be given. Antibiotics
are generally not prescribed for Intestine
infections.
Sickness and diarrhoea symptoms dehydrate the body and it is
important to drink plenty of fluids. This is especially
helpful for children with diarrhoea, as the additional
fluids will also replace other important substances lost
from the body, including sodium, potassium and glucose.
In serious cases, hospital admissions will be needed and there
is a possibility of blood transfusions and dialysis for renal
failure.
Where can I find more information?
The best sources of information can be found on the following
links:
NHS Choices: Facts
about E Coli
HUSH: Haemolytic Uraemic Syndrome Help
HPA: Health Protection Authority
Am I entitled to make a claim for compensation?
For further information or if you believe you have been affected
by an E Coli outbreak, please contact Jill
Greenfield on 020 7861 4557 or email jill.greenfield@ffw.com
You can also contact Richard Earle on
020 7861 4041 or email richard.earle@ffw.com
You can speak to any member of our personal injury team on
freephone 0800 358 3848,
email personalinjury@ffw.com or
complete our short enquiry form.