Officials: Listeriosis not cause of 3 deaths, may be factor (Blue Bell products)

[TexasTowelie]

Source: AP

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) -- A foodborne illness linked to some Blue Bell ice cream products might have been a contributing factor in the deaths of three hospital patients in Kansas, health officials said Saturday.

But listeriosis didn't cause the deaths, according to Kansas Department of Health and Environment spokeswoman Sara Belfry.

Officials have not released the names of the five patients at Via Christi St. Francis hospital in Wichita, Kansas, who developed listeriosis in after eating products from one production line at the Blue Bell creamery in Brenham, Texas.

But the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said the five individuals were older adults and three of them are women. The CDC did not specify the gender of those patients who died.

Read more: http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_BLUE_BELL_LISTERIOSIS?SITE=SCAND&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT

[ProudMomof3Cuties]

1. It's unfortunate indeed.

Most people, with functional immune systems, won't be bothered by this... as a matter of fact, everyone, even the sick, harbor this bacteria in their guts.

We'll all be happier when the direction of medicine is preventative(building the immune system) rather than simply covering up symptoms with drugs that generally cause other problems.

This will be another one of those situations where people who have a need for emergency medical care may forgo it out of fear, especially since the media never puts these events into context.

[still_one]

2. let's see, it did not cause the deaths, but may have been a contributing factor. Sounds like double

speak to me. If the contributing factor wasn't there, what would have happened.

I suspect lawyers are on top of this kind of double talk.

[CBGLuthier]

3. Lawyers or Science. You make your assumptions and I shall make mine.

If the statement had come from Blue Bell or the hospital I could see your point.

[ColesCountyDem]

9. It's not double talk-- it's absolutely proper, ordinary medical terminology and usage.

My maternal grandparents founded a funeral home in the early 1900's, and it's still owned and operated by the family. In my lifetime, I've seen thousands of death certificates, and in the section entitled "Cause of Death" (Sections 18 a-d, in Illinois) , one will see the following-- always:

Part I:

(a)(Acute myocardial infarction )
due to, or as a consequence of

(b)(Coronary artery disease )
due to, or as a consequence of

(c)(Hypertension and hyperlipidemia )

Part II:

Other contributing factors, not listed in Part I: ( Box )

[malokvale77]

4. What?

Not the cause, may be factor. BS

You don't shut down a whole production line "permanently" over a maybe.

[eggplant]

5. It's a cover up. They were killed because of what they knew about Project Blue Bell.

[TexasTowelie]

6. LOL, I deserved that after this post that I made the previous night.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/1018737304

[Manifestor_of_Light]

7. Oh no!

You have to pry the Blue Bell out of our cold, dead, Texan hands.

It's good stuff.

[TexasTowelie]

8. Here is the thread I posted on Friday. Check your freezer!

http://www.democraticunderground.com/10141038992