According to the Centers for Disease Control, Escherichia coli (abbreviated as E. coli) are bacteria found in the environment, foods, and intestines of people and animals. E. coli are a large and diverse group of bacteria. Although most strains of E. coli are harmless, others can make you sick. Some kinds of E. coli can cause diarrhea while others cause urinary tract infections, respiratory illness and pneumonia, and other illnesses.Most E.coli bacteria are a harmless part of a human’s intestinal tracts. However, according to the CDC, some are pathogenic, meaning they can cause illness. The most common associated with foodborne outbreaks are Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC).
How is E.coli spread?
Infections start when you swallow STEC — in other words when you get tiny (usually invisible) amounts of human or animal feces in your mouth. That exposure can happen various ways, including eating food made by someone who did not properly wash hands after using the toilet, eating undercooked meat, drinking unpasteurized milk that came in contact with cattle feces, touching the environment at a petting zoos, or even swallowing water at a lake, stream or swimming pool.The time between ingesting the STEC bacteria and feeling sick is called the “incubation period.” The incubation period is usually 3-4 days after the exposure, but may be as short as 1 day or as long as 10 days.
What are the symptoms?
The symptoms of STEC infections vary for each person but often include;
Severe stomach cramps
Diarrhea (often bloody)
Vomiting
If there is fever, it usually is not very high (less than 101˚F). The CDC said most people get better within five to seven days. Some infections are very mild, but others are severe or even life-threatening. The very young, very old and those with weakened immune systems are most at risk of foodborne illness.
How can infections be prevented?
While most people are at some risk of contracting STEC, according to the CDC, there are ways to decrease the chances of becoming ill.
WASH YOUR HANDS thoroughly after using the bathroom or changing diapers and before preparing or eating food. WASH YOUR HANDS after contact with animals or their environments (at farms, petting zoos, fairs, even your own backyard).
COOK meats thoroughly. Ground beef and meat that has been needle-tenderized should be cooked to a temperature of at least 160°F/70˚C. It’s best to use a thermometer, as color is not a very reliable indicator of “doneness.”
AVOID raw milk, unpasteurized dairy products, and unpasteurized juices (like fresh apple cider).
AVOID swallowing water when swimming or playing in lakes, ponds, streams, swimming pools, and backyard “kiddie” pools.
PREVENT cross contamination in food preparation areas by thoroughly washing hands, counters, cutting boards, and utensils after they touch raw meat. To learn more about how to protect yourself from E. coli, see CDC’s feature, E. coli Infection.
What if I get sick?
If you suspect you’ve become sick by eating contaminated food, contact the RI Department of Health.Health officials will want at three-day food history, so they are able to track down a potential outbreak.
