Re: 2 children, 1 adult sickened by E. coli in Michigan
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 10-26-11
MEDIA CONTACT: Leslie Kinnee
989-831-3669,
lkinnee@mmdhd.org
Mid-Michigan District Health Department
615 N. State St., Stanton, MI 48888-9702,
www.mmdhd.org
E. coli outbreak in Gratiot County
Stanton- The Mid- Michigan District Health Department (MMDHD) has been notified of three
cases of E. coli in Gratiot County.
Two young children from the Maple Rapids area have developed Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome
as a result of E. coli infections. Both children have been hospitalized. A third person, also from
the Maple Rapids area, has not developed Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome, but is recovering from
the E. coli infection. Mid-Michigan District Health Department wishes them all a speedy
recovery.
E. coli is a bacterium that is normally found in the gut of animals such as cattle, sheep, pigs, and
deer. E. coli is spread by the oral-fecal route, undercooked ground beef, unpasteurized milk and
apple cider, dirty water, ground water, pets with diarrhea, and from people infected with E. coli.
E. coli can enter the human food chain in multiple ways. It is sometimes inadvertently mixed in
with meat during the butchering process and can contaminate cow’s milk. E. coli can also be
spread from person to person by the oral-fecal route.
When E. coli is ingested it can cause nausea, low-grade fever, loss of appetite, vomiting,
abdominal bloating, diarrhea, and bloody diarrhea. One week following the onset of diarrhea,
the kidneys can start to malfunction. When this happens, chemicals that are normally excreted in
the urine start to build up in dangerous amounts. There is also a drop in the red blood cells
causing anemia.
Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome sometimes develops as a result of an E. coli infection and is
characterized by kidney damage and loss of blood. When Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome
develops, the person must start kidney dialysis and recovery is often slow.
Fatality in these cases can run as high as five percent.
The three cases of E. coli in Gratiot County have public health officials at MMDHD concerned.
Dr. Robert Graham, Medical Director for the Mid-Michigan District Health Department says,
“This strain of E. coli is very potent and troublesome. We urge everyone to take precautions to
prevent becoming infected by this germ.”
More...
http://www.mmdhd.org/Media%20Releases/2011/e-coli_oct2011.pdf
