Wednesday, July 4, 2007

Protect your summer picnic

Cases of E. Coli reported in Idaho


By DANA DUGAN
Express Staff Writer

Picnics and barbecues are among the most fun ways to experience summer fun in Idaho. But beware, wildlife lurks around every corner even in the sandwich you're eating.

South Central District Health reports that 12 cases of Escherichia coli 0157:H7 have been detected in Southern Idaho since May 15. None of the cases were in Blaine County.

At least six of them required hospitalization. Five victims developed Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome, a severe complication of E. Coli infection, especially in children. It is characterized by renal failure and hemolytic anemia.

"In 2006, nationally 61 deaths were related to E. coli infection," said Tom Machala, South Central District Health's director of Communicable Disease Prevention.

"There was a surge of cases at the same time last year as people spent more time outside, picnicking and barbecuing," he said.

E. coli is a species of bacteria living in the lower intestines of mammals, known as gut flora. In normal circumstances it's an active, necessary part of a mammal's digestive system and is the dominant species found in feces. However, the presence of E. coli 0157:H7 can cause diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramping and fever.

Bloody diarrhea can begin one to two days after the other symptoms. People with these symptoms should contact their physician, who may prescribe antibiotics.

Undercooked or raw ground beef has been implicated in many of the documented outbreaks. However E. coli O157:H7 outbreaks have also implicated alfalfa sprouts, unpasteurized fruit juices, dry-cured salami, lettuce, game meat, and raw milk.

Contact with farm animals, contaminated stream water, swimming pools and animal waste from gardening, farming, cattle and dairy work are also possible sources of infection.

Following are ways to prevent infection:

- Wash hands before eating, with an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.

- Disinfect cutting boards and counter tops after contact with raw meat or poultry. Wash hands after handling raw meat, after using the toilet and diapering children.

- Keep hot foods hot, and cold foods cold.

- Avoid eating raw meat or poultry. Ground beef should be cooked to 160° F. Juice should run clear.

- Don't drink unpasteurized dairy products.

- Avoid drinking untreated surface water in lakes and rivers.

- Don't let children with diarrhea swim in pools.

- Wash all vegetables and fruit, though not with detergent or bleach, which can leech through skin.

- Always wash or peel fruit that has dropped on the ground, especially fruit from trees in pastures where animals are present.

- Wash hands after handling animals, especially after visiting fairs or petting zoos.




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