Safety testing by food industry in Canada
E. Coli confirmed, health investigators say
From
Leader Reports
08/27/2008
Updated
08/27/2008 12:26:40 PM CDT
Source of Article: http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?BRD=2754&dept_id=574071&newsid=20094164&PAG=461&rfi=9
The Oklahoma State Department of Health's public health
laboratory has found a type of E. coli bacteria in 10 patient specimens tested
as part of its ongoing investigation into a severe diarrheal outbreak in
northeastern
"E. coli is a common bacteria
that lives in the intestines of animals and people. Many strains are harmless.
However, our laboratory results indicate that we are dealing with an unusual
type of E. coli that produces two different types of toxins. These toxins are
responsible for the very severe disease that we are seeing in many persons
sickened by this outbreak," said State Epidemiologist Dr. Kristy Bradley.
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"Now
that we have confirmed that this is an E. coli outbreak, this information will
help guide physicians in patient care and treatment," she said.
Antibiotics and anti-diarrheal medicines are not recommended for treating E.
coli. State health officials will send their laboratory specimens to the
federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for further analysis.
Bradley said this type of E. coli outbreak provides the potential for persons
with diarrheal illness to spread it to family household members or close
contacts. "Only a few bacteria can make a person sick and these bacteria
can be easily transmitted person-to-person if infected persons do not wash
their hands after using the toilet or changing diapers," she said.
Bradley also emphasized the importance of washing hands before, during and
after meal preparation. "Persons with diarrhea should not prepare
meals," she said.
To date, at least 41 persons have been hospitalized and one person has died.
The incubation period from time of exposure to this type of bacteria to
becoming ill can be as short as two days or as long as 10 days.
"While we cannot predict at this point how long this outbreak will
continue, we believe we have prevented the spread of any further cases that may
have been connected to eating at Country Cottage at
The restaurant continues to remain voluntarily closed today while the outbreak
investigation continues.
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