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Officials Warn of E. coli Outbreak in Michigan

By Dan Flynn and Suzanna Schreck

Huron County, Michigan health officials warned this week that an E. coli outbreak may be underway.  At least 5 people have become ill with E. coli infections, and the county health department is encouraging residents to take precautions to prevent additional illnesses.

"E. coli is a common bacteria that is normally found in the intestinal tract of both humans and animals," Huron County Health Department stated in a press release. "It does not ordinarily cause disease or illness.  There are several strains of E. coli that do cause disease in the bowel resulting in diarrhea, sometimes bloody, and in some instances, severe kidney disease."

E. coli O157:H7 and other Shiga toxin-producing strains of E. coli (STECs) cause human illness. People typically become ill with E. coli infections after exposure to contaminated food, beverages, water, animals, or other persons.

More information about E. coli infection is available at About-Ecoli.com.

Full post as published by Food Safety News on September 04, 2010 (boomark / email).