E. Coli O157:H7

E. coli O157:H7

What is E. coli O157:H7 and Can I get E. coli O157:H7? How can I protect myself what causes it? Yes. Infection can occur from from E. coli O157:H7? Escherichia coli (Esh-e-rik-E-a coe- ingesting (oral) contaminated food, Human disease from E. coli O157: lie) O157:H7 or E. coli O157:H7 is a particularly raw or undercooked H7 is most often associated with eat- toxin producing bacteria that causes ground beef. Direct contact with ing improperly cooked meat, particu- intestinal disease in people which the feces of infected animals can also larly ground beef, or from products lasts about one week. Diarrhea with be a source of exposure. such as unpasteurized milk and some blood is typical. Severe cases can lead Illness usually starts 1 to 2 days processed meats. to kidney problems which can be life- after exposure, with abdominal pain Use safe food preparation tech- threatening, especially in children or and cramping and watery diarrhea niques. Wash your hands and all the elderly. with blood. In adults, the infection cooking equipment with soap and There are many types of E. coli clears on its own in about a week. warm water after handling raw meat. bacteria. The designation O157:H7 In young children (under 10) and Thaw meats in the refrigerator, never refers to the way scientists classify the elderly, serious complications on the counter. Avoid cross contami- various E. coli bacteria. Some types involving the kidneys can develop in nation in the kitchen by using sepa- of E. coli are normally found in the a small percentage of cases. rate cutting boards for meats and intestines of people and animals but vegetables. Cook meat thoroughly do not cause illness. Who should I contact, if I and to the proper cooking tempera- suspect E. coli O157:H7? tures (check meat with a thermom- What animals get E. coli In Humans – eter). Drink only pasteurized milk, O157:H7? Contact your physician. juices, and cider. Wash your hands E. coli O157:H7 does not cause ill- frequently after handling animals. ness in animals, but the animals can How can I protect my animal Wear disposable gloves if you are in serve as carriers of the bacteria. These from E. coli O157:H7? contact with sick animals and always bacteria can be found in cattle, sheep, Exposure in animals can be mini- wash your hands after touching ani- pigs, deer, dogs and poultry. Infected mized by preventing fecal contami- mals. animals, especially young ones, can nation of feed and water. This can shed the bacteria in their feces. Cattle reduce the chance for ingestion of For More Information are the main carriers. the bacteria. CFSPH Technical Fact Sheets. Escherichia How can my animal get coli O157:H7 at http://www.cfsph. iastate.edu/DiseaseInfo/ E. coli O157:H7? Exposure to the CDC website. E. coli O157:H7 at http:// Animals, particularly livestock, get E. coli O157:H7 bacteria can come www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dbmd/ E. coli O157:H7 by ingesting (oral) the diseaseinfo/escherichiacoli_g.htm bacteria in the feces of infected ani- from ingesting mals, or by exposure to items contam- raw or undercooked USDA Bad Bug Book at http://www.cf- san.fda.gov/~mow/chap15.html inated with feces (e.g. food or water) ground beef or non-living objects (fomites). How does E. coli O157:H7 affect my animal? Currently, there is no evidence that E. coli O157:H7 causes illness in animals. They only serve as carriers (or reservoirs) of the organism. Photo: E. coli from Lawrence Berkeley National Lab