E. coli Outbreak Reported in Five States

Health officials said they were investigating an E. coli outbreak that has spread to five states.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that health officials were trying to determine the food source of this E. coli outbreak.

As of publication time, illnesses linked to this outbreak had been reported in five states: Arkansas (6), New York (1), Oklahoma (5), Virginia (2), and Washington (2). Of the 16 people who have become ill due to this outbreak, nine had to be hospitalized, three developed kidney failure and one died.

E. coli is a type of bacteria that has been linked to several foodborne outbreaks in the past. People who become infected often experience vomiting, diarrhea and severe stomach cramps. Symptoms usually begin three to four days after exposure and subside after five to seven days.

The particular strain of E. coli that appears to be causing this outbreak (coli O157:H7) has been linked in the past to outbreaks involving lettuce and recreational water, the CDC noted.

Although the source of this outbreak is unknown, health officials said they believed that it was coming from a food source. You can help prevent E. coli infection by sticking to safe food-handling practices:

• Refrigerate foods that can spoil quickly.
• Thaw foods in the fridge instead of on the counter.
• Keep food that will not be cooked away from raw meat.
• Use a food thermometer to make sure you are cooking your food to the proper temperature to kill germs.
• Wash fruits, vegetables, utensils and cooking surfaces.
• Wash your hands with soap and water often.

In healthy people, treatment for E. coli is not usually necessary. But if you experience any of the following symptoms, seek immediate medical care:

• Bloody diarrhea
• Diarrhea accompanied by a fever higher than 102 degrees Fahrenheit
• Diarrhea that does not go away after three days
• Signs of dehydration, such as dizziness when standing up, not urinating, and dry mouth and throat
• Vomiting that is so severe that you can't keep fluids down

The CDC was asking anyone who had E. coli symptoms to report the illness to their local health department. The agency said it would continue to release updates as this investigation progresses.