1999 Volunteer Leadership Training Guide
Protecting Your Family From E. coli
Handout 1
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What is E. coli
O157:H7?
• How Serious is This
Illness? • How is the
Organism Spread?
• How Can E.
coli O157:H7 Be Controlled?
In recent years parents have been horrified to hear stories about illnesses
and deaths of children caused by the microorganism E. coli O157:H7. Most
parents wanting to protect their families have found they have a number of
questions about this microorganism, how it is spread and how it can be
controlled. Let=s look at some of
these questions.
What Is E. coli O157:H7?
E. coli O157:H7 is a particular stain of Escherichia coli
bacteria. Although the E. coli family of organisms is widespread and most
members are harmless, E. coli O157:H7 produces a strong poison that can
cause serious illness.
How Serious Is This Illness?
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 10,000 to
20,000 people are infected with E. coli O157:H7 each year. Infection can
lead to bloody diarrhea, and occasionally, kidney failure.
Illness caused by E. coli O157:H7 is usually not a major problem for
healthy adults. Recovery generally occurs within five to ten days.
In children under 5 years of age and the elderly, the infection can lead to a
life-threatening condition called hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), in which
blood cells are destroyed and kidneys fail.
How Is This Organism Spread?
The organism is most often associated with cattle since it can live in the
intestines of healthy cattle. The surfaces of meat can become contaminated
during slaughter, and the organisms may become mixed throughout meat when it is
ground to make hamburger.
Eating meat, especially ground beef, that has not been cooked well enough to
kill E. coli O157:H7 can cause infection. Since contaminated meat looks
and smells normal, it is impossible to know when contamination has occurred.
Drinking unpasteurized milk and swimming in or drinking sewage-contaminated
water can also cause infection. Eating fruits and vegetables that have been
exposed to droppings from cattle and wild animals may also lead to infection.
Bacteria in stools of infected persons can be passed from one person to
another if good cleanliness practices are not followed when using the bathroom
and diapering a baby. It is especially important that good handwashing
procedures are practiced at all time.
How Can E. coli
O157:H7 Be Controlled?
E. coli O157:H7 can be controlled by thorough cooking and the use of
good cleanliness practices. The following are some suggestions for preventing
the growth of E. coli O157:H7 in foods you feed your family:
• Avoid eating or serving raw or undercooked ground beef. The best way to
decide if ground beef is cooked is to use a meat thermometer. The meat
should reach at least 160 degrees Fahrenheit. If a meat thermometer is not
available, or if you are eating out, check the meat with a fork to make sure
it is done throughout and that the juices run clear.
• If you are served undercooked ground beef in a restaurant, send it back
for additional cooking.
• After shopping, store ground meat quickly in the refrigerator. Use
refrigerated ground meat in 1-2 days. For longer storage, freeze ground meat
and patties.
• Thaw ground meat products in the refrigerator, never on the counter. Cook
immediately after thawing. Never let raw ground meat sit at room temperature
for longer than 2 hours.
• Wash all produce in running water. If it is especially dirty or if you
know it was grown using manure as a fertilizer, remove and discard the peel.
Avoid unpasteurized juices and ciders.
• Avoid unpasteurized milk.
• Practice good handwashing practices.
Always wash hands:
• Before handling food
• After using the bathroom
• After touching hair or face, blowing your nose, sneezing or coughing
• After handling raw meat
• After tending to a child or changing a diaper
• After playing with or touching a pet
• After smoking
• Never let cooked meat touch where raw meat has been. Wash counters,
cutting boards and utensils in hot, soapy water after using with raw meat
and before using with cooked. Serve cooked food with clean plates and
utensils.
• Microwave carefully. Cover and rotate food for even heating. Let food
stand, covered, outside the oven after cooking if cooking a large portion of
meat or if the directions call for this step. The food will finish cooking
as it stands.
Although there is always a possibility that you may someday get a food
product that contains E. coli O157:H7, understanding the problem and
taking some simple precautions can protect your family.
This information was prepared by Dr. Pamela L. Brady, Extension Foods
Specialist
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