How to Prevent E. Coli Outbreak in Your Family

Every year, approximately 73,000 Americans suffer from cases
of food borne illness caused by Escherichia coli O157:H7. Some cases are violent and according to 1999 estimates, 61 deaths occur as a result. E.Coli O157:H7 food poisoning is caused by one of hundreds of strains of a bacteria found in the intestines of healthy cattle, deer, goats, and sheep.

Although most strains are harmless, this particular strain produces a powerful toxin causing severe bloody diarrhea and abdominal cramping. Most people recover within days. However, some people develop a complication called hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). HUS is life-threatening and generally requires admission to an intensive care unit. The death rate is 3%-5%.

Although we usually take food safety is for granted, the country was recently exposed to an outbreak of E. coli O157 that infected 199 people in 26 states with 3 confirmed deaths. This outbreak was isolated in packages of spinach. According to the CDC, outbreaks of E.Coli O157 occur regularly. They can occur locally or throughout several states.

We usually associate food poisoning of this type with insufficiently cooked or improperly handled beef, although transmission can occur in many ways. The CDC states that E coli can also be spread through unpasteurized fruit juices, lettuce, drinking water and contact with infected animals. It also occurs person-to-person, usually among children in day care centers. It has also been isolated in sprouts, salami, unpasteurized milk, and by swimming in sewage-contaminated water.

What can you do to prevent infection?

As consumers, we can take safety precautions to prevent E. coli O157:H7 in our homes. We can also advocate for stronger preventive measures in farming and during meat processing, as well as during the growth and harvesting of produce. Stronger efforts to decrease environmental contamination is a collaborative enterprise.

Below is a list of actions that individuals can apply day to day for their own and their family's health and well-being:

• Cook all ground beef, hamburger and poultry thoroughly to a temperature of at least 160 degrees or until no longer pink inside

• Don't place cooked hamburgers on the same plate that held the raw meat

• Avoid spreading harmful bacteria in the kitchen by keeping raw meats separate from fresh foods

• Always wash hands thoroughly before and after handling foods, before eating, and after using the bathroom or changing diapers

• Wash hands, utensils, cutting boards and counters with hot, soapy water

• Wash all fruits and vegetables under running water

• Avoid drinking unpasteurized milk and juices

• Do not thaw food out on the counter; defrost foods in the refrigerator

• Don't buy food past its expiration date and make sure that you use before the use-by date

• Keep the temperature of your refrigerator at 40 degrees F and your freezer at 0 degrees F

• Perform regular maintenance of your refrigerator and freezer

• Wash or replace kitchen towels, dish cloths and sponges regularly

• Do not purchase canned goods with dents, cracks or bulging lids

• Do not feed sprouts to children under the age of 5 until safety can be assured

• Avoid swallowing lake or pool water while swimming

By following these simple and common sense behaviors, you will minimize the risk of introducing any potentially dangerous organisms into your home.

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