Outbreaks
Excel E. coli Outbreak
In 2001, the Gwinett County Health Department (GCHD) and the Georgia Department of Public Health (GDPH) investigated an E. coli outbreak. The public health agencies tested leftover hamburger patties from one victim's home, and isolated a genetically indistinguishable strain of E. coli O157:H7 from the strain isolated from the victim's stool. Samples isolated from three other ill Georgia residents also tested positive for the same indistinguishable strain. All reported consuming ground beef in the days prior to becoming ill.As a result of the E. coli outbreak, Excel recalled 190,811 pounds of ground beef and ground pork it supplied to supermarkets in the Southeast, including Sam's Club.
