E. coli kills BC senior; bacteria likely came from food served in a senior’s complex

An E. coli outbreak at a Surrey, B.C. (that’s in Canada) seniors’ home last month sent three people to hospital, one of whom later died.

But a spokesman for the Fraser Health Authority said Thursday it’s not known whether the person died as a result of the outbreak, which is believed to have been linked to a shared meal.

Roy Thorpe-Dorward said twice a week the 257 residents at Kiwanis Park Place get together for a meal in the independent living facility. But after one such meal, believed to have been served between Nov. 8 and 14, three of the seniors became ill.

He said Fraser Health had found no problems with the home’s meal service during regular inspections.

"It’s thought to be linked to food preparation, either improper handling of food, inadequate cooking or improper cleaning of food surfaces," he said.

The two others who fell ill have recovered.