Two Canadian E. coli patients moved to regional hospital after conditions worsen

A Fredericton teenager battling E. coli O157 has been sent to the Saint John Regional Hospital after her condition took a turn for the worse Monday afternoon.

The New Brunswick Telegraph-Journal reports Micaella Boer, 18, was transferred from the Dr. Everett Chalmers Regional Hospital at about 3 p.m. after a test revealed the disease is attacking her body’s red blood cells.

For at least the next six days, she is to undergo blood transfusions and plasma exchange treatments to fight off the bacteria.

Victoria Boer, Micaella’s mother, said the turn of events happened only days after her daughter’s condition appeared to be improving.

Public Health officials confirmed Tuesday that the second patient has also been transferred to the Saint John Regional Hospital for treatment. Victoria said her daughter could be kept there for some time.

On Monday, New Brunswick’s acting chief medical officer of health, Dr. Denis Allard, said lab results wouldn’t be available before the first of next week and public health will provide more information when possible.

Of the four confirmed sick in the latest outbreak, one sought treatment after seeing Micaella’s Facebook post describing her symptoms.

CBC News reports that Micaella’s friend sought help for the illness after he saw her Facebook post describing her symptoms and realized his were similar.

Doctors sent him home with anitbiotics.

But Micaella and her father, Scott Boer, did some online research on the effects of E. coli and taking antibiotics.

They found that, in certain cases, antibiotics may make E. coli-related illness worse. Micaella also immediately messaged her friend, telling him not to take the medication.

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A former professor of food safety and the publisher of barfblog.com, Powell is passionate about food, has five daughters, and is an OK goaltender in pickup hockey. Download Doug’s CV here. Dr. Douglas Powell editor, barfblog.com retired professor, food safety 3/289 Annerley Rd Annerley, Queensland 4103 dpowell29@gmail.com 61478222221 I am based in Brisbane, Australia, 15 hours ahead of Eastern Standard Time