News

Health officials investigate local case of E. coli infection

By Joe Benedict/MVM News Network

Published: Thursday, October 16, 2008 2:03 PM CDT

Local and state health officials are investigating two potential cases of E. Coli infection - one in Lee County and one in Hancock County, Ill.

An e-mail circulating Wednesday said the writer had a friend whose 7-year-old was on dialysis at an Iowa City hospital after sampling cider at a Lee County business. The e-mail added that a boy from Warsaw, Ill., also was hospitalized.

The Lee County Health Department issued a statement Wednesday saying it is investigating a case of E. coli infection. It goes on to say a second case involving a person from a neighboring county also has been identified.

The LCHD has not determined whether the two cases are linked. The news release says the review is part of the routine and continuous disease monitoring and investigation done by the health department on a daily basis.

The LCHD said the source of the contamination has not been identified and no business or facility has been asked to close because of the infection.

Patricia Quinlisk, state epidemiologist, said there is no outbreak in the area of E. coli at this time. The state investigates all individual cases and so far this is an isolated case. She said the department will do a DNA fingerprint of the bacteria to see if it can be linked to other cases.

She said there are many different ways people can pick up the bacteria so tracing it to a source sometimes proves difficult.

According to the LCHD, the full name of the bacteria is Escherichia coli 0157:H7. It causes diarrhea, stomach cramps and chills. There usually is no fever. Rarely, the infection can cause kidneys to stop working, especially in young children. The infection also can cause a person's blood clotting system to malfunction.

The disease usually is spread by a person eating or drinking contaminated food or water; raw milk and uncooked meat, especially ground meat. This bacteria can be transmitted from one person to another directly in families and situations such as child care centers.

There are several steps that can be taken to prevent the spread of the bacteria. Persons should not fix or touch food meant for others while having diarrhea. Always wash hands thoroughly with soap and water before eating and before and after fixing any food, especially raw meat.

Wash hands after using the toilet and after changing diapers and wash the child's hands. When caring for someone with diarrhea, wash hands with plenty of soap and water after cleaning the bathroom, helping the person use the toilet or changing diapers, soiled clothes or sheets.

Always refrigerate meat. Never leave raw meat at room temperature. Never eat raw or undercooked ground meat. If serving an undercooked hamburger or other ground meat product in a restaurant, sent it back for further cooking. Cook all ground beef and hamburger thoroughly, to a temperature of 155 degrees for at least 15-16 seconds or until juices run clear and no pink is visible.

Always wash hands, cutting boards and utensils between fixing raw meat or poultry and other items such as fruits and vegetables. Drink only pasteurized milk, juice or cider.

The LCHD said the Iowa Department of Public Health has investigated 134 cases of E. coli statewide this year. Most of the cases are not related to each other, or to an outbreak. More facts can be found on the public health website at www.idph.stat.ia.us.