The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) is seeing an increase in cases of Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) bacteria in the last few weeks. Five cases of E. coli 0157:H7 have been confirmed according to an advisory obtained by Food Poisoning Bulletin.
In two of these cases, a seventeen-month old child and a two-year old have developed hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a serious and possibly life-threatening condition that can cause permanent kidney damage.
A source of the infections hasn’t been identified. If anyone is exhibiting symptoms of STEC infection, include bloody diarrhea and severe stomach cramps, please seek medical attention and tell your healthcare provider to check for STEC bacteria.
The symptoms of STEC infection include diarrhea that is often bloody, stomach cramps, and vomiting, along with low-grade fever. Most patients get better within a week, but some can develop HUS.
All patients who are treated for community-acquired diarrhea should have a stool sample cultured for STEC 0157:H7. Healthcare providers are required to report suspected cases of infections with STEC bacteria within 24 hours. The labs should send all findings of STEC-positive samples to the Missouri State Public Health labs.
For questions, call the DHSS’ Bureau of Communicable Disease Control and Prevention at 1-573-751-6268 or 1-800-392-0272.
