In response to the recent outbreaks of E. coli infections in Illinois and New York, EPA has created an E. coli page on its website, which provides links to other sites with information about the E. coli 0157:H7 bacteria and recent outbreaks.
To learn more, visit the EPA website at http://www.epa.gov/safewater/ecoli.html.
In addition, EPA?s drinking water hotline (1-800-426-4791) will specifically respond to the public?s questions and concerns about possible contamination of local water supplies with E. coli 0157:H7. Federal health agencies will be developing and distributing information for health care providers on the early diagnosis and treatment of infection with this health-threatening strain of E. coli. Also, EPA will release state guidance on accessing federal funds for enhanced water monitoring.
While most strains of E. coli are harmless and live in the intestines of healthy humans and animals, this particular strain, E. coli 0157:H7, produces a powerful toxin and can cause severe illness.
As of Sept. 14, the New York State Department of Health reported 804 suspected and confirmed cases of E. coli 0157:H7 infection resulting from an outbreak at the Washington County Fair near Albany. As of that date: 112 cases had been confirmed through special laboratory tests, 64 people had been hospitalized, 11 children developed hemolytic uremic syndrome, a severe complication of the infection, and two people had died, a 3-year-old girl and a 79-year-old man.
Nearly all individuals are alleged to have consumed water (or products made with water) piped from a contaminated well serving the fair. The well is believed to have become contaminated from animal feces, though the specifics of this contamination incident are still being investigated.
New York State has been carrying out studies of the cause and extent of illness, as well as the environmental and engineering factors which may have caused this outbreak. They have been assisted by epidemiologists from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
In another incident, more than 300 people, including 22 who were hospitalized, were infected with E. coli O157:H7 after attending a Sept. 4 concert and cookout in a cow pasture near Petersburg, Ill. (approximately 25 miles northwest of Springfield, Ill.). The free event was attended by approximately 1,800 people. As of mid-September, health officials have not yet determined the source of the outbreak, which could have been from the beef served at the event, the water, or from someone serving food at the event.
Battle Ground Lake in Washington state is reportedly the prime suspect in an apparent E. coli O157:H7 outbreak in Clark County, WA. This outbreak has mainly affected children (median 5 years of age). As of Sept. 9, it was reported that there have been approximately 30 outbreak-related, laboratory-confirmed cases. Of these 30 cases, 24 reported swimming in Battle Ground Lake, one reported playing in the sand adjacent to the swimming area, and five were in contact of others who had been swimming in the lake. There have reportedly been seven hospitalizations, three for hemolytic uremic syndrome.
One of hundreds of strains of the bacterium Escherichia coli, E. coli O157:H7 is an emerging cause of foodborne and waterborne illness. Although most strains of E. coli are harmless, this strain produces a powerful toxin and can cause severe illness. E. coli O157:H7 first was recognized as a cause of illness during an outbreak in 1982 traced to contaminated hamburgers. Since then, most infections are believed to have come from eating undercooked ground beef.
