Source of Article: http://news.guelphmercury.com/News/BreakingNews/article/367390
GUELPH
— Dr. Nicola Mercer, medical officer of health WDG Public Health, has declared
the E. coli outbreak at the University of Guelph over.
"We have waited two incubation periods and there have been no new
exposures", Dr. Mercer states. "The incubation period is the
maximum amount of time that you can develop symptoms after exposure to the E.
coli bacteria. The incubation period for E. coli is up to 10 days with the
average being three to four days."
Analysis of information collected by Public Health during the outbreak supports
the theory that the contamination occurred during the week of July 20.
"We
are still waiting for lab results for some people who experienced symptoms
related to possible exposure during that period of time. The number of
confirmed cases could change but the outbreak remains over unless new exposures
are found."
E. coli are bacteria that are commonly found in the intestines of humans and
animals. E. coli O157: H7 can cause serious illness. Good handwashing is the best measure to prevent the spread of E.
coli.
**Read the University of Guelph
press
statement.
