ruthbeme
Well-known member
By Diana Bowley
Saturday, September 22, 2007 - Bangor Daily News
AUGUSTA, Maine - The Maine Center for Disease Control alerted health providers Wednesday that it is investigating a cluster of six E. coli cases in four Maine counties.
Four of the six cases in Kennebec, Androscoggin, Lincoln and Franklin counties have been confirmed positive for Shiga toxin-producing E. coli O157:H7 by the Health and Environmental Testing Laboratory, Dr. Kathleen F. Gensheimer, state epidemiologist, confirmed Friday.
Two other cases are pending and one other suspected case is under investigation, according to the health advisory issued by the CDC. Those afflicted, including one who was hospitalized, had bloody diarrhea, one of the common symptoms.
Gensheimer said Friday that two of the three cases are unrelated, a fact revealed through genetic testing. No place, event or food has been identified as a link in the investigation, she said.
Gensheimer said the onset of the E. coli came between Aug. 22 and Sept. 13 and affected people ages 15 months to 75 years. She said this was the time of year the state typically sees an increase in E. coli cases.
This particular type of E. coli causes watery diarrhea, bad cramps and possible vomiting, Geoff Beckett, assistant state epidemiologist, said Friday.
According to Beckett, E. coli are common bacteria in the body. Everyone has large numbers of the bacteria in their stools. This particular strain ? O157:H7 ? can make people very ill, especially children, he said. When they attach themselves to the bowels, Shiga toxins produce E. coli and make people sick, he said. Kidney function can shut down as a complication of the bacteria.
The cluster under investigation is not rare, according to Beckett. He said the CDC typically sees cases every year that are caused by food, personal contact and contaminated water.
The E. coli O157:H7 bacteria are found primarily in dairy cattle and are passed on through uncooked hamburger. In the last 20 years, Beckett said, the CDC has seen outbreaks from apple cider and produce that was contaminated by cow manure. In addition, the bacteria can be spread from person to person, he said.
In the laboratory, Beckett said, genetic fingerprints are taken of the samples and these are matched to other samples in outbreaks.
Practitioners who see patients with symptoms of sustained and-or bloody diarrhea should be vigilant in collecting stool specimens for a bacterial culture and Shiga toxin testing, Gensheimer said.
Practicing good hygiene, cooking hamburger well and thoroughly cleaning vegetables and fruits help reduce E. coli outbreaks.
http://bangordailynews.com/news/t/news.aspx?articleid=154529&zoneid=500
Saturday, September 22, 2007 - Bangor Daily News
AUGUSTA, Maine - The Maine Center for Disease Control alerted health providers Wednesday that it is investigating a cluster of six E. coli cases in four Maine counties.
Four of the six cases in Kennebec, Androscoggin, Lincoln and Franklin counties have been confirmed positive for Shiga toxin-producing E. coli O157:H7 by the Health and Environmental Testing Laboratory, Dr. Kathleen F. Gensheimer, state epidemiologist, confirmed Friday.
Two other cases are pending and one other suspected case is under investigation, according to the health advisory issued by the CDC. Those afflicted, including one who was hospitalized, had bloody diarrhea, one of the common symptoms.
Gensheimer said Friday that two of the three cases are unrelated, a fact revealed through genetic testing. No place, event or food has been identified as a link in the investigation, she said.
Gensheimer said the onset of the E. coli came between Aug. 22 and Sept. 13 and affected people ages 15 months to 75 years. She said this was the time of year the state typically sees an increase in E. coli cases.
This particular type of E. coli causes watery diarrhea, bad cramps and possible vomiting, Geoff Beckett, assistant state epidemiologist, said Friday.
According to Beckett, E. coli are common bacteria in the body. Everyone has large numbers of the bacteria in their stools. This particular strain ? O157:H7 ? can make people very ill, especially children, he said. When they attach themselves to the bowels, Shiga toxins produce E. coli and make people sick, he said. Kidney function can shut down as a complication of the bacteria.
The cluster under investigation is not rare, according to Beckett. He said the CDC typically sees cases every year that are caused by food, personal contact and contaminated water.
The E. coli O157:H7 bacteria are found primarily in dairy cattle and are passed on through uncooked hamburger. In the last 20 years, Beckett said, the CDC has seen outbreaks from apple cider and produce that was contaminated by cow manure. In addition, the bacteria can be spread from person to person, he said.
In the laboratory, Beckett said, genetic fingerprints are taken of the samples and these are matched to other samples in outbreaks.
Practitioners who see patients with symptoms of sustained and-or bloody diarrhea should be vigilant in collecting stool specimens for a bacterial culture and Shiga toxin testing, Gensheimer said.
Practicing good hygiene, cooking hamburger well and thoroughly cleaning vegetables and fruits help reduce E. coli outbreaks.
http://bangordailynews.com/news/t/news.aspx?articleid=154529&zoneid=500