A CDC investigation notice of a multistate outbreak of E. coli O103 infections in USA has been posted.At this time, a source of these infections has not been identified. 72 ill people have been reported from five states.
Symptoms of E Coli infection
Symptoms of Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) infection vary for each person, but often include severe stomach cramps, diarrhea (often bloody), and vomiting. Some people may have a fever, which usually is not very high (less than 101˚F/38.5˚C). Most people get better within 5 to 7 days. Some infections are very mild, but others are severe or even life-threatening.
Most people with a STEC infection start feeling sick 3 to 4 days after eating or drinking something that contains the bacteria. However, illnesses can start anywhere from 1 to 10 days after exposure.
Contact your healthcare provider if you have diarrhea that lasts for more than 3 days or diarrhea that is accompanied by a fever higher than 102˚F, blood in the stool, or so much vomiting that you cannot keep liquids down and you pass very little urine.
Key points of E Coli outbreak in USA
- CDC, several states, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service, and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration are investigating a multi-state outbreak of Shiga toxin-producing E. coli O103 infections.
- This investigation includes infections recently reported by the Kentucky Department of Public Health.
- The investigation is still ongoing and a specific food item, grocery store, or restaurant chain has not been identified as the source of infections.
- As of April 4, 2019, 72 ill people have been reported from five states. The last reported illness began on March 29, 2019.
- Eight ill people have been hospitalized. No deaths and no cases of hemolytic uremic syndrome (a type of kidney failure) have been reported.
- People get sick from Shiga toxin-producing E. coli an average of 3 to 4 days after swallowing the germ. Most people get diarrhea (often bloody), severe stomach cramps and vomiting.
- Most people recover within a week, but some illnesses can last longer and be more severe.
- Talk to your doctor if you have symptoms of an E. coli infection.
- General ways you can prevent E. coli infection include good hand-washing and cooking meats thoroughly.
Treatment of E Coli infection
- Antibiotics are not recommended for patients with suspected E. coli infections until diagnostic testing can be performed and E. coli infection is ruled out.
- Unnecessary use of antibiotic may cause HUS,which can be life threatening.
Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome (HUS)
About 5 to 10% of people who are diagnosed with STEC infection develop a potentially life-threatening complication known as hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). HUS develops about 7 days after symptoms first appear, when diarrhea is improving. Clues that someone is developing HUS include decreased frequency of urination, feeling very tired, and losing pink color in cheeks and inside the lower eyelids.
People with HUS should be hospitalized because their kidneys may stop working and they may develop other serious problems. Most people with HUS recover within a few weeks, but some suffer permanent damage or die.
- CDC has said that this investigation is ongoing, and CDC will provide more information as it becomes available.
- Emergency Manager magazine thinks that there is no need of any panic situation.Precautions are needed to avoid infection.
A CDC investigation notice of a multistate outbreak of E. coli O103 infections in USA has been posted.At this time, a source of these infections has not been identified. 72 ill people have been reported from five states.
Symptoms of E Coli infection
Symptoms of Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) infection vary for each person, but often include severe stomach cramps, diarrhea (often bloody), and vomiting. Some people may have a fever, which usually is not very high (less than 101˚F/38.5˚C). Most people get better within 5 to 7 days. Some infections are very mild, but others are severe or even life-threatening.
Most people with a STEC infection start feeling sick 3 to 4 days after eating or drinking something that contains the bacteria. However, illnesses can start anywhere from 1 to 10 days after exposure.
Contact your healthcare provider if you have diarrhea that lasts for more than 3 days or diarrhea that is accompanied by a fever higher than 102˚F, blood in the stool, or so much vomiting that you cannot keep liquids down and you pass very little urine.
Key points of E Coli outbreak in USA
- CDC, several states, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service, and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration are investigating a multi-state outbreak of Shiga toxin-producing E. coli O103 infections.
- This investigation includes infections recently reported by the Kentucky Department of Public Health.
- The investigation is still ongoing and a specific food item, grocery store, or restaurant chain has not been identified as the source of infections.
- As of April 4, 2019, 72 ill people have been reported from five states. The last reported illness began on March 29, 2019.
- Eight ill people have been hospitalized. No deaths and no cases of hemolytic uremic syndrome (a type of kidney failure) have been reported.
- People get sick from Shiga toxin-producing E. coli an average of 3 to 4 days after swallowing the germ. Most people get diarrhea (often bloody), severe stomach cramps and vomiting.
- Most people recover within a week, but some illnesses can last longer and be more severe.
- Talk to your doctor if you have symptoms of an E. coli infection.
- General ways you can prevent E. coli infection include good hand-washing and cooking meats thoroughly.
Treatment of E Coli infection
- Antibiotics are not recommended for patients with suspected E. coli infections until diagnostic testing can be performed and E. coli infection is ruled out.
- Unnecessary use of antibiotic may cause HUS,which can be life threatening.
Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome (HUS)
About 5 to 10% of people who are diagnosed with STEC infection develop a potentially life-threatening complication known as hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). HUS develops about 7 days after symptoms first appear, when diarrhea is improving. Clues that someone is developing HUS include decreased frequency of urination, feeling very tired, and losing pink color in cheeks and inside the lower eyelids.
People with HUS should be hospitalized because their kidneys may stop working and they may develop other serious problems. Most people with HUS recover within a few weeks, but some suffer permanent damage or die.
- CDC has said that this investigation is ongoing, and CDC will provide more information as it becomes available.
- Emergency Manager magazine thinks that there is no need of any panic situation.Precautions are needed to avoid infection.
