E. coli victims angry as officials seek outbreak’s source in North Bay, Ont.

Oct. 20, 2008 – As health officials prepare to provide an update today
on the E. coli crisis in North Bay, Ont., victims are expressing anger
over the extent of the outbreak.

Oct. 20, 2008 – As health officials prepare to provide an update today on the E. coli crisis in North Bay, Ont., victims are expressing anger over the extent of the outbreak. As health officials prepare to provide an update today on the E.
coli crisis in North Bay, Ont., victims are expressing anger over the
extent of the outbreak.

Health officials say the number of confirmed and suspected cases of E. coli 0157:H7 has climbed to 159 people.

Twenty-year-old
student Kelly Fortier says she's angry her life has been put on hold
since eating two weeks ago at a local Harvey's restaurant linked to the
outbreak.

She suffered terrible cramps and bloody diarrhea and was hospitalized for four days, and she still can't go to school or work.

"I'm still in isolation – I can't go anywhere," Fortier said.

"I
have other things to do, which I can't do. I was upset when I was in
hospital, because I thought I was dying. But mainly I'm just angry."

Dr. Catherine Whiting, the area's medical officer of health, is to provide an update on the situation later today.

Officials have yet to pinpoint the exact source of the outbreak.

Health Minister David Caplan has expressed confidence in the actions taken by the local health unit to contain the outbreak.

He said the province has worked with the Public Health Agency of Canada to provide a epidemiologist.

"We have let them know that whatever they do require, we will make available for them."