SAINT CHARLES COUNTY, Mo.– A local teacher is suing after she says she got E. coli after eating food from a St. Charles County catering company.

This is the first suit involving the illness linked to a business in St. Charles County. 

What You Need To Know

  • A local teacher is suing after she says she got E. coli after eating food from a St. Charles County catering company
  • Spectrum News reached out to the St. Charles County Health Department which confirmed there are 10 recent E. coli cases in the county. It said it is still investigating and didn’t name a source

  •  Spectrum News reached out to the catering company named in the lawsuit, but is not releasing it because it has not been named as a source by health officials.

  • Saint Charles County Department of Public Health says "it is too early in the investigation process to identify the sources of the various reported cases"

The firm behind the suit says at least three teachers tested positive for E. coli after eating salads at a parent-teacher conference prepared by the catering company.

One of the teachers filed suit after developing a serious form of an acute kidney injury caused by E. coli and had to be hospitalized several times with complications. 

“The victims in the St. Charles County incident have been affected with the same type of E. Coli as our clients in St. Louis County,” said Simon Law Attorney Erica Slater. “We want to ensure the victims of this outbreak are also able to focus on their health while we can take all the appropriate steps to ensure they are compensated for their injuries.

Spectrum News reached out to the St. Charles County Health Department which confirmed there are 10 recent E. coli cases in the county. It said it is still investigating and didn’t name a source. Spectrum News reached out to the catering company named in the lawsuit, but is not releasing it because it has not been named as a source by health officials. 

The lawsuit does state the teacher’s kidney injury is caused by the same strain of E. coli that made more than 100 people sick in St. Louis County. The health department there named a catering company as the source of tainted lettuce. 

Health officials used genetic testing known as Whole Genome Sequencing (GWS) to track the E. coli. The FDA confirmed 69 cases with matching profiles across ten states including Missouri, Kansas, Illinois, North Dakota, South Dakota, Ohio, and Indiana. The GWS shows 25 cases in St. Louis County. 

The St. Charles County Health Department  also mentioned they’re investigating each case and assessing commonalities with other local cases. The process may look for connections by comparing specimen samples, product samples, and relevant data. The department also said environmental public health and sanitation inspectors work with restaurants on food safety. 

Anyone who feel sick or want more information about E. coli can reach SCCDPH by calling 636-949-7319.