E. coli Hamburger Outbreak Hits NH

CONCORD, NH — The Division of Public Health Services, a department of NH DHHS, is investigating an outbreak of Escherichia coli O157:H7 (E. coli) in the state, according to a press statement on July 22, 2016.

Since mid-June, about a dozen people have reportedly been infected with the same strain of E.coli after eating ground beef.

“The Division of Public Health Services is working with our federal partners to investigate the source of the ground beef that is causing people in New Hampshire to become ill,” said Marcella Bobinsky, the acting director of DPHS. “Ground beef is a known source of E. coli and it is important for people to avoid eating under-cooked ground beef whether at home or at a restaurant. Young children and the elderly are especially vulnerable to severe illness with this infection.”

Officials are trying to find the source of the outbreak. State officials said that the USDA, the department that regulates the safety of ground beef, is assisting in the investigation. The people who became ill reportedly ate ground beef at “a number of different locations,” according to officials.

“This outbreak does not present a risk to New Hampshire residents as long as they strictly follow food safety best practices,” according to officials.

Best practices include cooking the meat at a temperature of at least 160°F or 7˚C; using a thermometer (since color is not a very reliable indicator of meat being cooked); and preventing cross contamination in food preparation areas, and thoroughly washing hands, counters, cutting boards, and utensils after they touch raw meat.

Escherichia coli O157:H7 is bacteria that causes severe stomach cramps, diarrhea (often bloody), and vomiting, according to officials. If there is fever, it usually is not very high. Most people are relieved of systems within five to seven days. Some infections are very mild, but others are severe or even life-threatening.

Very young children and the elderly are more likely to develop a potentially life-threatening complication known as hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). Antibiotics should not be used to treat this infection because they may increase the risk of HUS.

For further information visit the CDC website at cdc.gov/ecoli/general/index.html, or to report a suspected case contact the DPHS Bureau of Infectious Disease Control at 603-271-4496.