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Iowa Sees Spike in E. coli Cases

By Pritzker | Ruohonen

Iowa health officials have confirmed  an unusually high number of  E. coli O157:H7 infections in the state since late September, prompting them to remind residents of ways to reduce the risk of contamination.

In a press release Friday, the Iowa Department of Public Health said most of the 29 cases do not appear to be related. But the officials confirmed that a cluster of  recent infections in the eastern part of the state -- all reported in the past three weeks -- share some common exposures.

Previously, state health officials hinted that the recent cluster of cases was associated with consumption of unpasteurized apple cider. Now they say several things associated with the cases increased the risk of E. coli exposure, "such as drinking unpasteurized apple cider, eating fresh, unwashed apples, and eating ground beef."

Of the 29 confirmed cases of E. coli O157:H7 statewide since late September, 22 involved children 12 and younger. Several of those children were hospitalized, and a "few'' experienced kidney failure -- a symptom of hemolytic uremic syndrome, or HUS, a complication of E. coli O157:H7.

The spike in cases throughout the state compares to the five-year average of 18.4 cases for the same period of time, the health department said.

Two of the children sickened by the pathogen in the most recent cluster of cases remain at University of Iowa Children's Hospital. Parents for the 7-year-old girl and the 5-year-old boy told the Gate City Daily newspaper in Keokuk, Iowa, that the kids separately visited a business in Lee County Iowa, where they drank raw apple cider from a vendor who was demonstrating how to press apples. One child consumed the cider on Oct. 4, the other on Oct. 5, but health officials have said DNA fingerprints of their illnesses do not match.

Both children have been treated with blood transfusions, kidney dialysis and other procedures during their long hospital stays.

Iowa officials announced the following precautions to help prevent E. coli infections:

• Make sure fresh juice or milk has been pasteurized. Even small smaples can make you sick.
• People with diarrhea should not prepare or touch food meant for others. Wash hands with soap and water after using the restroom. If not available, use an alcohol-based hand gel.
•  When caring for someone with diarrhea, wash your hands after giving care and ensure that the ill person's hands are frequently washed.
• Cook all ground meats like hamburger thoroughly -- to a temperature of 155 F for at least 15-16 seconds, or until juices run clear and no pink is visible.
• Always wash fresh vegetables or fruits thoroughly before eating.

Full post as published by Food Poisoning Law Blog on November 01, 2008 (boomark / email).