E. Coli Sickens 9 at SoCal Restaurant Chain

California health officials said on May 22 that an E. coli outbreak tied to beef kofta served at The Kebab Shop sickened nine people across the state. The California Department of Public Health said the cases involved Shiga toxin-producing E. coli O157:H7 and that six of the nine patients were children. Five people were hospitalized, two developed hemolytic uremic syndrome, or HUS, and no deaths were reported. The restaurant chain voluntarily paused sales of grilled beef kofta on May 18, state officials said, and investigators said the risk from the product was not ongoing. ### Which restaurant chain did investigators identify? The California Department of Public Health named The Kebab Shop as the chain linked to the outbreak in a notice dated May 22. The agency said interviews with sick people pointed to grilled beef kofta — seasoned ground beef kebabs — served at several Northern and Southern California locations as the likely source. CDPH said current information suggested the implicated beef product was distributed only to The Kebab Shop. (cdph.ca.gov) The agency said it was working with local health departments and federal partners to identify the cause, monitor for additional illnesses and conduct product testing. ### How many people were sickened, and how serious were the illnesses? As of May 19, nine California residents had been infected with the outbreak strain, according to CDPH. (cdph.ca.gov) Illness onset dates ranged from March 27 through April 30, the agency said. Five people were hospitalized and two developed HUS, a severe complication that can lead to acute kidney failure, the state said. San Diego County officials said two of the nine cases were in that county, and one of those patients had been hospitalized and later released. (cdph.ca.gov) ### Where were the cases found? San Diego County officials said the nine cases were spread across five California counties. (cdph.ca.gov) The county did not list all five counties in its public statement, but said two local infections were tied to meals eaten at The Kebab Shop locations in San Diego County. Northern and Southern California locations were included in the state investigation, CDPH said. (cdph.ca.gov) The agency also said no individuals from other states were currently linked to the outbreak. ### What are officials telling customers to do now? CDPH told consumers who ate beef kofta from any The Kebab Shop location and developed symptoms within 10 days to contact a health care provider. (countynewscenter.com) The agency listed diarrhea, often bloody, vomiting and abdominal cramps as symptoms that can begin three to four days after infection. Dr. Sayone Thihalolipavan, San Diego County’s public health officer, said people who ate at The Kebab Shop between March 27 and April 30 and later developed stomach symptoms should seek medical help right away. (cdph.ca.gov) He said children, older adults and people with weakened immune systems faced the highest risk from STEC infections. ### Has the chain stopped serving the suspected item? The Kebab Shop voluntarily paused sales of grilled beef kofta at all locations on May 18, according to CDPH. State officials said the chain was fully cooperating with public health authorities. San Diego County said the company had stopped selling the beef dish on or before May 18 and that customers were no longer at risk from eating the product. (countynewscenter.com) The county’s epidemiology unit and environmental health department said they were continuing to work with state and federal officials on the local investigation. May 22 statements from CDPH and San Diego County said the investigation remained active, with public health agencies still tracing the source and testing products. (cdph.ca.gov) CDPH said updates would depend on additional illnesses, laboratory findings and the progress of the state and local inquiry. (countynewscenter.com)