State Investigating 6 Cases Of E. Coli
Source Of Contamination Unknown
POSTED: 1:56 pm EDT August 4,
2008
UPDATED: 6:08 pm EDT August 4,
2008
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BOSTON -- Six cases of E. coli in Massachusetts residents are being investigated by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, state officials said Monday.
VIDEO: State Investigating 6 Cases Of E. ColiA source of contamination has not been identified, however the cluster of illnesses may be linked to the consumption of beef products. The cases appear to be caused by the same strain of the bacteria found in patients from several other states."The investigation, so far, appears to indicate that the most likely source of infection for these individuals is ground beef that's been contaminated with E. coli," said Dr. Bela Matyas, of the Massachusetts Department of Public Health.State health officials, along with investigators from USDA, worked through the weekend to try and identify a possible source of contamination. The investigation is focused on ground beef, and testing of samples collected from several stores will be conducted this week."E. Coli 0157 can cause serious illness, but for every hospitalized individual we would anticipate one, or several dozen people, that aren't hospitalized. So we know that there are many more people who are ill than the six that we are aware of," Matyas said.Based on the preliminary findings, DPH is reminding the public to consume only fully cooked ground beef. Cooking meat to an internal temperature of 160 degrees Fahrenheit kills the bacteria.E. coli O157:H7 is a type of bacteria that can cause bloody diarrhea, dehydration and in the most severe cases, kidney failure. The very young, elderly and persons with weakened immune systems are the most susceptible to food borne illness.The Massachusetts cases range in age from three to 60 years. They include residents of Middlesex, Suffolk and Essex counties. They reported becoming ill between July 10 and 16. At least five of the cases were hospitalized. These cases may be linked to 20 other cases in several states and Quebec that were caused by the same strain of E. coli.The Massachusetts cases were linked by DNA testing and by comparing those results to results from others around the country through a federal foodborne illness surveillance program called PulseNet.
VIDEO: State Investigating 6 Cases Of E. ColiA source of contamination has not been identified, however the cluster of illnesses may be linked to the consumption of beef products. The cases appear to be caused by the same strain of the bacteria found in patients from several other states."The investigation, so far, appears to indicate that the most likely source of infection for these individuals is ground beef that's been contaminated with E. coli," said Dr. Bela Matyas, of the Massachusetts Department of Public Health.State health officials, along with investigators from USDA, worked through the weekend to try and identify a possible source of contamination. The investigation is focused on ground beef, and testing of samples collected from several stores will be conducted this week."E. Coli 0157 can cause serious illness, but for every hospitalized individual we would anticipate one, or several dozen people, that aren't hospitalized. So we know that there are many more people who are ill than the six that we are aware of," Matyas said.Based on the preliminary findings, DPH is reminding the public to consume only fully cooked ground beef. Cooking meat to an internal temperature of 160 degrees Fahrenheit kills the bacteria.E. coli O157:H7 is a type of bacteria that can cause bloody diarrhea, dehydration and in the most severe cases, kidney failure. The very young, elderly and persons with weakened immune systems are the most susceptible to food borne illness.The Massachusetts cases range in age from three to 60 years. They include residents of Middlesex, Suffolk and Essex counties. They reported becoming ill between July 10 and 16. At least five of the cases were hospitalized. These cases may be linked to 20 other cases in several states and Quebec that were caused by the same strain of E. coli.The Massachusetts cases were linked by DNA testing and by comparing those results to results from others around the country through a federal foodborne illness surveillance program called PulseNet. Copyright 2008 by TheBostonChannel.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
