by Mark Wiggins
KILLEEN - A report of five confirmed cases of E. coli stemming from an undisclosed Killeen restaurant left many Central Texans demanding to know exactly where the contamination came from.
The cases date back to April 2011, when at least 11 people became sick after eating at a local restaurant. Doctors confirmed five of them had a strain of the bacteria escherichia coli (O157:H7) that has been known to result in hemolytic-uremic syndrome (HUS), a potentially fatal complication that can lead to kidney failure.
Two were hospitalized, and Bell County health officials announced that the case was closed this week. Officials with the Bell County Public Health District initially declined to identify the specific restaurant the complaints originated from, citing Texas laws meant to protect businesses and individuals under investigation.
After Thursday's report, dozens of News Channel 25 viewers voiced concern over the public's right to know where the outbreak originated. In response, News Channel 25 filed a request under the Freedom of Information Act. Acting upon the request, Bell County health officials provided five-page report Friday detailing the investigation.
According to that report, the contamination was traced to the Jason's Deli located at 3213 East Central Texas Expressway in Killeen.
Through a process of elimination, investigators were able to trace the food, then the ingredient the bacteria likely came from. A total of 37 different food items were tested. The most likely source was identified as a batch of guacamole made on April 13th, used as spread for the "California Club" sandwich.
Investigators further concluded that the guacamole was likely contaminated on-site, possibly by an object or employee during the food preparation stage. The bacteria was not spread through food distributed by Jason's Deli Distributors or Deli Management, Inc.
Now that the case is closed, Jason's Deli corporate spokesperson Daniel Helfman tells News Channel 25 customers shouldn't be discouraged from eating at the Killeen location or any other.
"Over six weeks ago, the county looked into a situation," says Helfman. "They came back and ruled out Jason's Deli as a source of the issue. Our food and restaurant were never in question, therefore everyone should feel very safe about eating at Jason's Deli."
Bell County officials say the restaurant cooperated fully throughout the investigation, and have deemed the restaurant and its food safe for customers.
The official investigation concluded that guacamole made on April 13, 2011, was the food agent likely in the Bell County outbreak.
