Fast food restaurant focus of E. coli outbreak Update

North Bay Parry Sound District Health Unit
News Release

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The North Bay Parry Sound District Health Unit has extended the hours of their phone lines to provide information on the E. coli outbreak.

• Tuesday, October 14 until 7 pm
• Wednesday, October 15 from 8:30 am to 7 pm
• Thursday, October 16 from 8:30 am to 7 pm

The public can call (705) 474-1400, or 1-800-563-2808 any time during those hours to talk to public health staff with their questions or concerns about E. coli.

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The Health Unit is investigating a number of possible food sources related to the E. coli outbreak and many cases are traced back to Harvey’s restaurant located at 1899 Algonquin Avenue in North Bay.

“To protect the health of the public, and based on initial analysis, I ordered the closure of the Harvey’s restaurant on Algonquin on Sunday evening at 9 pm as a precautionary measure,” said Dr. Catherine Whiting, Medical Officer of Health, North Bay Parry Sound District Health Unit. “At that time, our health inspectors conducted a thorough inspection of the premises and collected food samples for testing. Until we receive the lab results, we cannot confirm the source of the E. coli contamination. At this point in the investigation, it appears to have been limited to this North Bay location.”

The Health Unit continues to investigate all possible food sources and Harvey’s is cooperating fully with the investigation.

“The health and safety of our guests is our most important priority,” said Harvey’s President Rick McNabb. “We are cooperating fully with the Health Unit to determine the cause, and we take this matter very seriously.”

Currently there are seven laboratory confirmed cases of E. coli O0157:H7 and 20 others under investigation. The incubation period for E. coli is from 24 hours to 10 days; therefore, there

may be more cases. If you experience bloody diarrhea, stomach cramps, vomiting and/or fever, the health unit advises you to seek medical attention immediately.

If you have symptoms or are in close contact with someone who has these symptoms, be sure to:

• Wash hands thoroughly with soap and hot running water before food contact and after toileting or changing diapers

• Effectively clean under fingernails with a nailbrush and soap with hot running water

• Have separate towels for those who are sick

• Clean bathroom taps, toilets, and doorknobs at least once a day with an antiseptic cleaner (such as 1 part bleach in 10 parts of water)

• Wash clothes, especially underclothes, in hot water and dry in a hot dryer for at least half an hour. If a dryer is not available, dry in direct sunshine

For more information, visit the Health Unit’s web site at www.healthunit.biz or call (705) 474-1400, or 1-800-563-3808.

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