What You Need to Know: The Latest E. coli Outbreak

What Is E. coli?

E. coli, short for Escherichia coli, is a type of bacteria that is often innocuous and may even live in your gut. However, there are different strains of E. coli, and some can be potentially dangerous. The current outbreak involves one of those types, referred to as E. coli O157:H7 or Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC). This strain of E. coli can be particularly dangerous and even life-threatening.

What Do We Currently Know About This Outbreak?

As of now, we don’t know a whole lot about this particular outbreak. We know there have been 25 reported cases of illness so far, and the investigation is ongoing. The FDA has initiated traceback, meaning they are investigating where the E. coli is coming from, but we don’t yet know what foods are causing the outbreak. Additionally, the FDA has not yet released any geographic information regarding the locations where the outbreak is taking place.

How to Prevent E. coli Infections at Home

While it can be scary, there are things you can do to cut down on your risk of E. coli exposure and prevent foodborne illness. Here are a few things the FDA and CDC recommend:

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* Wash your hands with warm, soapy water for at least 20 seconds before and after handling raw foods.
* Clean the inside of your refrigerator, cutting boards, and countertops that potentially contaminated food has touched with warm, soapy water. Then sanitize with a bleach solution (1 tablespoon bleach to 1 gallon of water) and dry the surfaces with clean paper towels.
* Immediately clean up and sanitize any spills in your refrigerator, whether you know it potentially contains E. coli or not.
* If you have pets and find there is an active investigation into their pet food or a recall on it, immediately clean their dishes and throw out the remaining food. Children, the elderly, and anyone with a compromised immune system should avoid pet dishes, their food, and the animals that may have eaten potentially infected food.
* If you camp, hike, or travel abroad, make sure the water you’re drinking is safe. For traveling, your best bet is to stick with bottled water as long as you know the source of the bottled water is safe. You could also disinfect and/or filter the water.
* Know the bacteria levels in the water you’re swimming in. This is usually disclosed by the state’s environmental services, which usually has a website with this information.
* Stick with pasteurized dairy and juice. The pasteurizing process kills any E. coli bacteria in the products.
* Thoroughly cook your meats, especially ground meat. E. coli lives on the surface of the meat, so when it’s ground up, it gets distributed throughout the meat. If the meat is not ground up, the cooking process will kill any bacteria on the outside of it.

What Are the Symptoms of an E. coli Infection?

If you or a family member experience symptoms of foodborne illness or adverse events related to food, including an allergic reaction, it’s important to report it. According to the CDC, symptoms of an E. coli infection can include:

* Diarrhea that may be bloody or very watery
* Stomach cramps that may be severe
* Vomiting
* Low-grade fever

The CDC recommends seeing your healthcare practitioner if the vomiting or diarrhea lasts more than two days, if there is blood in the diarrhea or urine, if the fever goes above 102°F, or if there are signs of dehydration.

The Bottom Line

While many types of E. coli are harmless, the type currently infecting people is making them sick. Since we don’t yet know what products are causing it or in what location of the country they’re in, it’s important to take safety precautions. Wash your hands before and after handling food, thoroughly cook your meats, wash your vegetables and cook them when possible, and stick with pasteurized dairy products and juices. If you do get sick and suspect it’s something you ate, submit a complaint to the FDA.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the current E. coli outbreak is a serious issue that requires attention and caution. By understanding what E. coli is, how it’s spread, and how to prevent infections, we can take steps to protect ourselves and our loved ones. Remember to always follow proper food safety guidelines, wash your hands frequently, and report any symptoms of foodborne illness to the FDA.

FAQs

Q: What is E. coli?
A: E. coli is a type of bacteria that is often innocuous and may even live in your gut. However, some strains of E. coli can be potentially dangerous and even life-threatening.

Q: What are the symptoms of an E. coli infection?
A: Symptoms of an E. coli infection can include diarrhea that may be bloody or very watery, stomach cramps that may be severe, vomiting, and low-grade fever.

Q: How can I prevent E. coli infections at home?
A: You can prevent E. coli infections at home by washing your hands with warm, soapy water for at least 20 seconds before and after handling raw foods, cleaning the inside of your refrigerator and cutting boards with warm, soapy water, and sticking with pasteurized dairy and juice products.

Q: What should I do if I get sick and suspect it’s something I ate?
A: If you get sick and suspect it’s something you ate, submit a complaint to the FDA and seek medical attention from your healthcare practitioner.

Q: How can I report an E. coli outbreak?
A: You can report an E. coli outbreak to the FDA by submitting an inquiry or report a complaint.