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Food Borne Pathogen Information

Escherichia coli 0157:H7 (E. Coli)

What is E. coli 0157:H7?

  • E. coli is a common type of bacteria that can cause illness in humans
  • E. coli O157:H7 is one of hundreds of strains of the bacterium Escherichia coli. Although most strains are harmless, this strain produces a powerful toxin that can cause severe illness.
  •  E. coli O157:H7 has been found in the intestines of healthy cattle, deer, goats, and sheep and aids in the breakdown and digestion of food
  • It is a leading cause of food borne illness

Sources of Contamination:

  • Foods can become contaminated with E. coli during the slaughter and processing of animal meat when the Bacteria has contaminated the surface of the meat
  • In highly processed or ground meat, the mechanical processes can spread the bacteria through out the meat
  • Raw fruits and vegetables can become contaminated with pathogens while in the field by improperly composted manure, contaminated water, wildlife or poor hygiene practices of farm workers
  • Other sources include untreated water (contaminated by sewage), unpasteurized milk or milk products, unpasteurized juice/cider

How is E. coli 0157:H7 Spread?

  • Can spread from person – to- person (through fecal matter) – but most serious E. coli infections are more often linked to food containing the bacteria
  • Both animals and people infected with the bacteria can be carriers
  • Proper hygiene, safe food handling and preparation practices are key to preventing the food borne illness

Will Cooking Destroy the Bacteria?

  • E. coli 1057:H7 can be destroyed when meat is cooked to a safe internal temperature – especially ground meat
  • Washing fruits and vegetables thoroughly and removing the outer layers of those which wont be cooked is important to remove the bacteria from these sources

Symptoms of Infection:

  • Symptoms can develop within hours and up to 10 days after ingesting the bacteria
  • Severe abdominal cramping
  • Bloody diarrhea
  • Fever & chills
  • vomiting
  • Some people show no symptoms are only carriers of the bacteria
  • In some persons, particularly children under 5 years of age and the elderly, the infection can also cause a complication called hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), in which the red blood cells are destroyed and the kidneys fail

How is E. coli infections treated?

  • Most people recover without antibiotics or other specific treatment within 5 to 10 days.
  • Antibiotics should not be used to treat this infection.
  • . Antidiarrheal agents should also be avoided.

Prevention:

  • Cattle are the principal source of E. coli O157 infection – preparation before, during and after slaughtering can decrease the contamination of the meat
  • Testing meat for E. coli O157 and withholding it from the market until the test is negative can decrease in illnesses.
  • Cattle manure is also a source of E. coli O157. Manure can contaminate the environment, including streams that flow through produce fields and are used for irrigation, pesticide application, or washing. Collaborative efforts are needed to decrease environmental contamination and improve the safety of produce.

References:

What are Salmonella and salmonellosis?

  • Salmonella bacteria are found naturally in the intestines of animals, especially poultry and swine
  • The bacteria can also be found in the environment
  • People who eat food contaminated by Salmonella can become ill with salmonellosis.

How do the bacteria spread?

  • Bacteria can spread from person-to-person, animal-to-animal and animal-to-human
  • Both animals and people infected with the bacteria can be carriers
  • Proper hygiene, safe food handling and preparation practices are key to preventing food borne illness in humans.

What about salmonellosis in pigs and other livestock?

  • Salmonella infections in swine spread very quickly following oral exposure
  • Organisms multiply rapidly in the intestine, before spreading to many internal organs, resulting in an overall reduction in pig performance
  • The most common salmonella serotype isolated from many European pig herds is Salmonella Typhimurium
  • Salmonellosis is a disease affecting most livestock production systems worldwide.

Will cooking destroy the bacteria?

  • Salmonella bacteria are destroyed when food is cooked to a safe internal temperature. It's important to use a food thermometer to measure the internal temperature of food.

How do people catch Salmonella?

  • Salmonella bacteria are usually transmitted to humans by eating foods contaminated with animal feces
  • Contaminated foods usually look and smell normal. They are often of animal origin, such as beef, poultry, milk, or eggs, but all foods, including vegetables may become contaminated
  •  Many raw foods of animal origin are frequently contaminated, but fortunately, thorough cooking kills Salmonella
  • Food may also become contaminated by the unwashed hands of an infected food handler, who forgot to wash his or her hands with soap after using the bathroo

What are the symptoms of salmonellosis in humans?

  • Most persons infected with Salmonella develop diarrhea, fever, and abdominal cramps 12 to 72 hours after infection.
  • The illness usually lasts 4 to 7 days, and most persons recover without treatment.
  • The elderly, infants, and those with impaired immune systems are more likely to have a severe illness.

How can Salmonella infections in humans be treated?

  • Salmonella infections usually resolve in 5-7 days and often do not require treatment unless the patient becomes severely dehydrated or the infection spreads from the intestines
  • Antibiotics are not usually necessary unless the infection spreads from the intestines
  • Unfortunately, some Salmonella bacteria have become resistant to antibiotics, largely as a result of the use of antibiotics to promote the growth of feed animals.

References:

What is Camplyobacter jejuni (Campylobacteriosis)?

  • A bacterium commonly found in the intestines of poultry, swine, cattle, rodents, wild birds and household pets
  • Is one of the most common bacterial causes of diarrheal illness
  • Humans may develop the illness called Campylobacteriosis if they consume foods infected by C.jejuni bacteria

Sources of Contamination:

  • Most cases are associated with the handling of raw poultry or the eating of undercooked poultry meat
  • The common route of exposure is through cross-contamination which could occur during food storage and preparation
  • Exposure could also come from drinking raw milk, untreated water or transmitted from hands that were not washed properly after petting infected animals

Symptoms of Infection:

  • Fever
  • Headache
  • Muscle pain
  • Bloody diarrhea
  • Stomach pain
  • Cramps
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting

Symptoms of infection usually occur within 2 to 5 days after the bacteria have been ingested, but can occur up to a month later, and usually last no longer than 10 days.

Treatment:

  • No specific medical treatment
  • Drink plenty of fluids to re-hydrate (due to loss of fluids from diarrhea)
  • Sever cases may require antibiotic treatments

Prevention:

  • Cook all poultry thoroughly
  • Wash hands with soap and water before and after handling raw meat
  • Prevent cross contamination by washing all surfaces and utensils thoroughly
  • Avoid drinking or using unpasteurized milk or untreated water sources

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