E. Coli Outbreak at Harvey's Sickens 50 at First, 209 Now Affected (Updated)

Officials say other potential sources of E. coli contamination such as the municipal drinking water system have been looked at, but have been ruled out.

Whiting says patients range from young children to the elderly, and some are hospitalized while others are recovering at home.

"Unfortunately, because of the number of meals served at Harvey's Restaurant on a daily basis and the long incubation period of E. coli O157:H7, we did predict that there would be an increase in the number of people who might be affected." said Whiting.

"Right now, I can tell you that the ages of the people who are ill range from nine to 84 years of age. Some of them are in hospital and some are recovering at home."

While all of the cases of illness have been linked to one restaurant, it is possible the outbreak is part of a larger problem that could affect people in other communities, said Doug Powell, associate professor of food safety at Kansas State University. For instance, a product such as lettuce, which is usually shipped to food retailers across a large area, could be the source of contamination.

Bloody diarrhea is the main symptom of an E. coli infection. You may also have stomach cramps and nausea and vomiting. Some people do not notice any symptoms. Children are more likely than adults to have symptoms. Symptoms usually start 3 or 4 days after you come in contact with the E. coli germ.

Most people get better in about a week. They often don't see a doctor and don't know that E. coli caused their problems.

When the germ causes serious problems with the blood or kidneys, symptoms include:

• Pale skin.
• A fever.
• Weakness.
• Bruising.
• Passing only small amounts of urine.

The outbreak is likely contained, say officials, because they have confirmed that 75 of the people with suspected illnesses ate at the Harvey's on Algonquin Avenue in North Bay. While officials haven't yet had a chance to determine whether the 18 additional cases are linked to the restaurant, Dr. Whiting said she is confident the outbreak is contained to that location.

The number of confirmed and suspected cases of E. coli poisoning in northern Ontario has risen to 159, a health official said Sunday.

The outbreak has been linked to a Harvey's restaurant on Algonquin Avenue in North Bay, about 300 kilometres north of Toronto.

"The latest is that we have 159 cases as of this morning. Of those, 26 are lab confirmed," said Dr. Catherine Whiting, medical officer of health at North Bay Parry Sound District Health Unit.

The number of confirmed and suspected cases of E. coli poisoning linked to the restaurant was 146 on Saturday, with 24 cases confirmed. The number was 93 last Thursday, before it jumped to 131 the following day.

"I think we can see that the rate of increase is definitely less than it was at the beginning of the outbreak, but I do anticipate we will still see more cases, probably because the incubation period is up to 10 days," she told CBC News on Saturday.

Up to about 10 per cent of the total may be secondary cases, where a person becomes sick after being in contact with someone ill from the initial source, Whiting said.

Health officials have yet to say specifically which food they think became contaminated with E. coli O157:H7, a potentially deadly strain of the bacterium.

18 suspected cases were ruled out yesterday after they were found not to be E. coli.

Health officials are now dealing with 141 cases, including 28 that are lab-confirmed. The others are awaiting testing, and all are related to a Harvey's restaurant on Algonquin Avenue in North Bay, which remains closed.

None of the cases has been fatal.

There are now 207 people reporting symptoms, including 39 laboratory confirmed cases of E. coli O157:H7, the health unit said. The total includes all cases across Ontario and one in Quebec.

The jump in cases, up from 190 on Wednesday, is due to people who are self-reporting their symptoms. More are expected to be called in, Whiting said.

"Although we can reveal few details to avoid identifying anyone, there is one child who is very ill and in hospital," said Dr. Catherine Whiting.

"This person meets the criteria for complications from an E. coli infection, specifically hemolytic uremic syndrome, or HUS."

HUS is a life-threatening condition that is treated in hospital intensive-care units. It kills three to five per cent of those afflicted.

A statement of claim for a class-action lawsuit was filed Friday by two men who are among the 39 affected. Seeking a total of $17-million in damages, Bradley Bell and Daniel Goguen outline their illnesses and symptoms. Both ate at the restaurant on Oct. 6, and both were admitted to hospital days later.

In their statement of claim, naming Harvey's parent company Cara Operations Ltd. as the lone defendant, the pair allege the restaurant “served food and beverage that was contaminated with E. Coli” and “failed to act in a manner to prevent exposure to E. Coli at Harvey's.”