E. coli probe ends with no cause found

DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN) - Public Health - Dayton & Montgomery County said Friday its investigation found no cause for the July E.coli outbreak in Germantown that resulted in one death.

Officials do know the outbreak originated from food served at a picnic at Neff’s Lawn Care on July 3, 2012.

It was estimated that over 300 attended the picnic and ate food. From that, 79 cases of E. coli O157 foodborne illness were reported. Two of those were secondary cases, (contacts of primary cases). Twenty persons tested positive by laboratory analysis, 14 were hospitalized, 3 developed hemolytic uremic syndrome, and one death occurred.

The outbreak investigation involved:

• Where the foods at the event originated
• How food was stored, handled, and maintained prior to and during the event
• In-depth interviews with 117 individuals who attended the event
• An epidemiological analysis of the data obtained through the interviews
• An environmental assessment of the sites where the event was held and where the hogs that were roasted were produced and slaughtered
• Consultation and involvement with the Ohio Department of Health, the Ohio Department of Agriculture, and the United States Department of Agriculture

The food at the event was provided by the host and by the 300+ individuals who brought carry-in foods. Health officials said it was not possible to know with certainty the actual conditions and temperatures of food preparation and handling at the event or in the homes of those who brought carry-in items.