Escherichia coli O157:H7 outbreak linked to commercially distributed dry-cured salami - Washington and California, 1994

Article Abstract:

An outbreak of Escherichia coli (E. coli) O157:H7 infection among people who had eaten contaminated dry-cured salami illustrates that this food may carry the disease-producing bacterium. E. coli infection is spread by fecally-contaminated food. Between November 16 and December 21, 1994, 20 people in King County, Washington developed diarrhea from E. coli O157:H7 infection. Three patients were hospitalized, one of whom developed kidney failure. Sixty-eight percent of E. coli-infected people had eaten a particular brand of dry-cured salami during the week before they became ill. Samples of the presliced dry-cured salami purchased in three grocery store delicatessens contained the E. coli bacterium. Strains of the E. coli bacterium identified in the delicatessen salami matched the strains identified in 15 ill patients. In Northern California, three people developed E. coli infection after eating the same brand of dry-cured salami. Two samples of the salami were found to contain the E. coli bacterium.

Sausage, Sausages

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Lake-associated outbreak of Escherichia coli O157:H7 - Illinois, 1995

Article Abstract:

An outbreak of Escherichia coli O157:H7 infection in Illinois in July, 1995 was traced to a lake swimming beach at a state park. After 5 cases were reported in children who had swum in the lake, the beach was closed. Twelve cases were eventually identified. Two samples of beach water tested several days before the children's visit had coliform bacteria levels higher than the accepted level. The high levels persisted after the beach was closed, indicating that the source of contamination was probably not human waste.

Health aspects, Water, Swimming

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Outbreak of Escherichia coil O157:H7 Infection Associated With Eating Fresh Cheese Curds--Wisconsin, June 1998

Article Abstract:

An outbreak of E. coli O157:H7 infection in 55 Wisconsin residents during the summer of 1998 was traced to fresh cheese curds produced at a single dairy plant. The curds were produced in the same vat that had contained raw milk, but the curds were still labeled as pasteurized. E. coli O157:H7 can cause a dangerous condition called hemolytic-uremic syndrome.

Cheese

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Subjects list: Causes of, Contamination, Escherichia coli infections
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