E. coli outbreak at LA restaurant leaves child in critical condition after eating beef kofta

A severe E. coli outbreak linked to a Los Angeles restaurant has left a child fighting for their life. The infection, traced to beef kofta from The Kebab Shop in Atwater Village, triggered a dangerous kidney condition. Health officials are now investigating multiple cases across California.

The child fell ill after eating beef kofta at The Kebab Shop on or around April 1. By April 6, they were hospitalised with symptoms that quickly worsened. Tests confirmed a Shiga toxin-producing E. coli infection, which progressed to hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a life-threatening complication affecting the kidneys.

The child’s condition deteriorated rapidly, requiring emergency dialysis and blood transfusions. They also suffered seizures and a decline in pancreatic function. Whole genome sequencing later matched their illness to the same E. coli strain found in other outbreak cases connected to the restaurant. On May 24, the USDA confirmed that ground beef supplied to The Kebab Shop by Olympia Food Industries Inc. was contaminated with E. coli O157:H7. The California Department of Public Health has since identified nine infections between March 27 and April 30, six of them in children. Five patients were hospitalised, with two developing HUS. The child’s family has now filed a lawsuit against both The Kebab Shop and Olympia Food Industries Inc., seeking accountability for the contamination.

The outbreak investigation remains ongoing, with health authorities monitoring for further cases. The contaminated beef supply has been linked to multiple hospitalisations, including two children with severe kidney damage. Legal action is now underway as affected families seek answers.