Gort’s Cheese linked to E.coli outbreak in British Columbia

British Columbia (BC) health officials have issued a public alert today advising people not to consume cheese products from Gort’s Gouda Cheese Farm of Salmon Arm as it is being linked to an outbreak of E. coli O157:H7.

Gorts Gouda Cheese
Image/Video Screen Shot

The BC Centre for Disease Control and Interior Health report that four people in BC have become ill after consuming the cheese. Another four cases in the province are under investigation.

A CBC News report states of the four confirmed cases, one person has died and three people were hospitalized.

The illnesses began in July with the majority of infected people displaying symptoms in late August to early September.

Health officials advise anyone with Gort’s cheese products at home or at retail should immediately dispose of this product. It is believed that this cheese product is distributed throughout the province.

E. coli O157:H7 is a potentially deadly bacterium that can cause bloody diarrhea, dehydration, and in the most severe cases, kidney failure. The very young, seniors and persons with weak immune systems are the most susceptible to foodborne illness.

The symptoms of  E. coli O157:H7 infections vary for each person but often include severe stomach cramps, diarrhea (often bloody), and vomiting. If there is fever, it usually is not very high (less than 101˚F/less than 38.5˚C). Most people get better within 5–7 days. Some infections are very mild, but others are severe or even life-threatening.

Around 5–10% of those who are diagnosed with this infection develop a potentially life-threatening complication known as hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS).

Public health and food safety staff from BCCDC and Interior Health are working with counterparts from the Public Health Agency of Canada, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, and Health Canada to investigate this outbreak and prevent further health risks to the public.

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