Source of E. coli outbreak not determined

The Allegheny County Health Department reported its findings Friday on the E. coli investigation regarding The Porch restaurant in Oakland. On Oct. 30, the department began asking health care providers to test patients for the O157:H7 strain of E. coli.

“There were 12 confirmed cases of E. coli O157:H7 and nine others with suggestive symptoms who could not be confirmed. We have been unable to pinpoint the source of the E. coli — whether it came from a particular food product, food handling or a combination of both,” said Health Deparment Director Karen Hacker.

Of the dozen cases, eight individuals were hospitalized.

Pat Ritz, a spokesman for The Porch, emphasized that the restaurant had worked to ease concern among the community. The restaurant created a toll-free hotline.

Hacker confirmed that the restaurant had “fully cooperated” with the Health Department.

The investigation reported that most cases involved individuals who had ordered hamburgers at the restaurant. Laboratory results also found E. coli on a sample of meats.

The Health Department didn’t determine whether the bacteria entered the restaurant from the supply facility or if it spread during handling.

“It doesn’t really require knowing a source to act,” Ritz said. “There’s this observation in the community, and there’s a commonality. The key is to stop any source of contamination.”

The restaurant re-opened on Oct. 31, and no further cases have been reported. Before being cleared to return to work, each employee was tested for the bacteria.