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E. coli outbreak in Bakersfield linked to water slide party
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Posted by editor Wed Nov 30, -0001 00:00:00 PST
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0 responses 0 comments Kern County Public Health Services announced that an investigation of recent E. coli illnesses in Bakersfield has been linked to a water slide party for prescool age children and their families. Two children were identified as having already been infected when they attended the party.

“Our investigation revealed that there were certain events and activities that are critical and would explain the E. coli illnesses,” says Dr. Jinadu, M.D., M.P.H., Kern County Health Officer and Director of Public Health Services

A release issued by Jinadu’s office on May 14, said that an initial exposure occurred on April 26, during a water slide event, a known source of E. coli exposure, starting the “chain of an infectious process” that continued through May 4, a consistent incubation period for E. coli, according to the Department of Health.
Secondary infections were also traced to a significant event that took place on April 29 involving the same social circle.
“The evidence also supports that the two cases that showed symptoms on April 27, a day following the water slide event, appeared to have been exposed at an earlier date and were infectious at the time of that event. One of the cases is considered the starting point for the investigation.”

The Department of Public Health said they will continue to explore the point of exposure of the index case, “However, it is not unusual in similar types of outbreaks that the initial point of exposure may never be identified.”

Questions and answers: Sickness caused by E. coli
Courtesy of the Department of Health Center for Disease Control and Prevention
What is E. coli?
E. coli is a common kind of bacteria that lives in the intestines of animals and people. There are many strains of E. coli. Most are harmless. However, one dangerous strain is called E. coli O157:H7. It produces a powerful poison. You can become very sick if it gets into your food or water.

In 1999 it was estimated that about 73,000 people in the U.S. got sick each year from E. coli. About 60 died. It’s believed that the number of illnesses and deaths has been dropping since then.

How is E. coli O157:H7 spread?
Outbreaks often are caused by food that has gotten the bacteria, E coli, in it. Bacteria can get accidentally mixed into ground beef before packaging. Eating undercooked meat can spread the bacteria, even though the meat looks and smells normal. E. coli can also live on cows’ udders. It may get into milk that is not pasteurized.

Raw vegetables, sprouts, and fruits that have been grown or washed in dirty water can carry E. coli O157:H7. It can get into drinking water, lakes, or swimming pools that have sewage in them. It is also spread by people who have not washed their hands after going to the toilet.

E. coli can be spread to playmates by toddlers who are not toilet trained or by adults who do not wash their hands carefully after changing diapers. Children can pass the bacteria in their stool to another person for two weeks after they have recovered from an E. coli O157:H7 illness. Older children and adults rarely carry the bacteria without symptoms.

What are the signs of E. coli O157:H7 sickness?
Bloody diarrhea and stomach pain are the most common signs of E. coli O157:H7 sickness. People usually do not have a fever, or may have only a slight fever.
Some people, especially children under five and the elderly, can become very sick from E. coli O157:H7. The infection damages their red blood cells and their kidneys. This only happens to about one out of 50 people, but it is very serious. Without hospital care, they can die. See a doctor right away if you think you may have gotten sick from E. coli O157:H7.

How will my doctor know if E. coli O157:H7 made me sick?
Your doctor will test to see if your sickness was caused by E. coli by sending a stool sample to a lab. The lab will test for the bacteria.
Anyone who suddenly has diarrhea with blood in it should call or see a doctor.

How is it treated?
Your doctor will tell you what is best. Taking medicine on your own may not help you get better, and it could make things worse. Do not take antibiotics or diarrhea medicine like Imodium® unless your doctor tells you to.

Will E. coli O157:H7 infection cause problems for me later?
People who have only diarrhea and stomach ache usually get completely well in 5 to 10 days. They do not have problems later.
For those people who get very sick and have kidney failure, about one out of three may have kidney problems later. In rare cases, people have other problems like high blood pressure, blindness, or are paralyzed. Talk to your doctor if you have questions about this.

What is the U.S. government doing to keep food safe from E. coli O157:H7?
New laws have helped keep food from being contaminated with E. coli O157:H7. They keep meat safer during slaughter and grinding, and vegetables safer when they are grown, picked, and washed. But there is still a chance that E. coli O157:H7 could reach your food, so you should take the precautions listed below.

What can I do to stay safe from E. coli O157:H7?
• During an outbreak: Carefully follow instructions provided by public health officials on what foods to avoid in order to protect yourself and your family from infection.
• Cook all ground beef thoroughly. During an outbreak of E. coli O157:H7, vegetables should be boiled for at least 1 minute before serving.
• Cook ground beef to 160° F Test the meat by putting a food thermometer in the thickest part of the meat. Do not eat ground beef that is still pink in the middle.
• If a restaurant serves you an under-cooked hamburger, send it back for more cooking. Ask for a new bun and a clean plate, too.
• Don’t spread bacteria in your kitchen. Keep raw meat away from other foods. Wash your hands, cutting board, counter, dishes, and knives and forks with hot soapy water after they touch raw meat, spinach, greens, or sprouts.
• Never put cooked hamburgers or meat on the plate they were on before cooking. Wash the meat thermometer after use.
• Drink only pasteurized milk, juice, or cider. Frozen juice or juice sold in boxes and glass jars at room temperature has been pasteurized, although it may not say so on the label.
• Drink water from safe sources like municipal water that has been treated with chlorine, wells that have been tested or bottled water.
• Do not swallow lake or pool water while you are swimming.

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