Guest guest Posted January 21, 2006 Report Share Posted January 21, 2006 Note this fact sheet from the Wash State health dept. Annually there are 150-300 cases in Washington. Why oh why have we not heard of these tragedies repeatedly, if, as some say, one case is one case too many? Why is the child currently in the hospital w/ HUS NOT affiliated w/ Dee Creek not in the news? Why is not raw meat treated w/ the same distain by legislators. Why ALL hamburger should be cooked or irradiated before sale if it is truly a public health issue. You are here: DOH Home » Notifiable Conditions » E. coli Fact Sheet Search | Employees FACT SHEET Communicable Disease Epidemiology October 2002 E. coli What is E. coli? E. coli are bacteria that normally live in the intestines of humans and animals. Although most strains are harmless, several are known to produce toxins that can cause diarrhea. One particular E. coli strain called O157:H7 can cause severe diarrhea and kidney damage. Who gets E. coli O157:H7 infection? Anyone of any age can become infected with E. coli O157:H7, but the very young and the elderly are more likely to develop serious complications. How is it spread? E. coli O157:H7 can be acquired by eating contaminated food. The bacteria live in the intestines of some healthy cattle and contamination of the meat may occur in the slaughtering process. Deer meat (venison) may also be infected with the organism. Eating meat that is rare or inadequately cooked is the most common way of getting the infection. Fresh vegetables, unpasteurized fruit juices and raw milk have also caused outbreaks. With careless food handling any food product eaten raw can be contaminated by raw meat juices. Person-to-person transmission, especially in child care settings, can occur if infected people do not wash their hands after using the toilet or diapering children. Drinking contaminated water and swimming in contaminated shallow lakes may also cause infection. Exposures have also occurred from farm animals, particularly calves and cows. What are the symptoms? Some infected people have mild diarrhea or no symptoms at all. Most identified cases develop severe diarrhea and abdominal cramps. Blood is often seen in the stool. Usually little or no fever is present. Symptoms generally appear three to four days after exposure, but can take as long as nine days to appear. Persons experiencing these symptoms should contact their physician. How is E. coli O157:H7 infection diagnosed? Infection with E. coli O157:H7 can only be diagnosed by a special stool culture that is not performed in all laboratories. Public health authorities advise doctors and laboratories to consider performing a special stool culture test for E. coli O157:H7, particularly in people with bloody or severe diarrhea. What is the treatment? Symptoms generally go away without antibiotics or other specific treatment in five to ten days. Studies suggest antibiotics are harmful in the treatment of E. coli O157:H7 infection. It is recommended that antibiotics and diarrhea medicines not be given. What serious complications can result from E. coli O157:H7 infection? In some people, particularly children under five years of age, the infection can cause a complication called hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). This is a serious disease in which red blood cells are destroyed and the kidneys fail. Transfusions of blood or blood clotting factors, as well as kidney dialysis, may be necessary. A prolonged hospital stay is often required. Fortunately, most people with HUS recover completely, but it can be fatal. What can I do to prevent infection? Do not eat undercooked hamburger or other ground beef products. Cook roasts to at least 130 degrees F and other ground beef to 155 degrees F. Venison should be cooked to 165 degrees F. Make sure cooked ground beef is brown throughout (not pink) and the juices run clear. Drink only pasteurized milk, milk products and fruit juices. Carefully wash all produce, kitchen utensils and countertops. Wash hands carefully with soap after using the toilet, changing a child’s diaper, or touching farm animals to reduce the risk of spreading disease. Wash hands with hot, soapy water, rubbing hands together for 20 seconds. Persons ill with diarrhea or children in diapers should not swim in pools or lakes. Outbreaks The largest Washington State E. coli O157:H7 outbreak was in 1993, when 477 people were infected from contaminated, undercooked hamburger. In 1994, 11 people were infected from contaminated ground beef and also in 1994, 15 people were infected from contaminated salami. Additional outbreaks have occurred in the United States from non-beef sources including lettuce and salad bars where foods were contaminated by improperly cleaned utensils, working surfaces and infected food handlers. In addition, outbreaks have occurred in people who have consumed garden vegetables fertilized with animal manure, unpasteurized apple cider, and home made venison jerky. Recently there have been cases due to contaminated swimming water and petting farms. Cases Most E. coli O157:H7 infections are single cases and not associated with outbreaks. The numbers of reported cases in Washington of E. coli O157:H7 peaked in 1993 at 741 due to a large outbreak. Annually there are 150-300 cases in Washington. What should I do if I suspect someone in my family has E. coli? Contact your primary health care provider or call your local health department. www.MajestyFarm.com " Remember, bureaucracy is the epoxy that greases the wheels of progress. " Jim Boren Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You are posting as a guest. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.