E. Coli Outbreak Sickens 2 In Virginia, CDC Investigates

VIRGINIA — Federal health officials are trying to pinpoint the food source, grocer or restaurant that is the origin of illnesses caused by the E. coli bacteria. As of April 4, the Centers for Disease Control said 72 people infected with the bacteria have been reported from five states, including two in Virginia. So far, eight people have been hospitalized. No deaths have been reported.

Investigators are still trying to pinpoint a specific food item, grocery store, or restaurant chain as the source of infections. The CDC is not recommending that consumers avoid any particular food at this time; restaurants and retailers have not been told to avoid serving or selling any particular food.

Escherichia coli, abbreviated as E. coli, is a bacteria found in the environment, foods and intestines of people and animals, according to the CDC. Most strains are harmless, but some can cause people to fall ill and experience diarrhea, urinary tract infections, respiratory illness, pneumonia and more.

The other states with cases of the outbreak are: Kentucky with 36, Ohio with 5, Tennessee with 21, and Georgia with 8.

Symptoms of the illness vary from person to person but often include severe stomach cramps, diarrhea (often bloody), and vomiting, according to health officials. Some people may have a fever, which usually is not very high. Some infections are mild while others may be severe or life-threatening. The CDC warns that about 5-10 percent of people develop a potentially life-threatening complication known as hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), which is a type of kidney failure.

Most people become ill about three to four days after consuming something that contains the bacteria but illnesses can start anywhere between one to 10 days after exposure, the CDC says.

Here's the CDC's advice for those with symptoms of E.Coli:

• Talk to your health care provider.
• Write down what you ate in the week before you started to get sick.
• Report your illness to the health department.
• Assist public health investigators by answering questions about your illness.

Follow these general ways to prevent E. coli infection:

• Wash your hands after using the restroom or changing diapers, before and after preparing or eating food, and after contact with animals.
• Cook meats thoroughly to kill harmful germs. Cook steaks and roasts to at least 145˚F and let rest for 3 minutes after you remove meat from the grill or stove. Cook ground beef and pork to at least 160˚F. Use a food thermometer to check the temperature of the meat.
• Don’t cross-contaminate food preparation areas. Thoroughly wash hands, counters, cutting boards, and utensils after they touch raw meat.
• Wash fruits and vegetables before eating, unless the package says the contents have been washed.
• Avoid raw milk, other unpasteurized dairy products, and unpasteurized juices.
• Don’t prepare food or drink for others when you are sick.