Food Poisoning Bulletin spoke to Genalee Alexander, spokesperson for the Columbia/Boone County Department of Public Health and Human Services in Missouri, about the Shiga-toxin producing E. coli cases in that state.
There are five people living in Central Missouri infected with the bacteria. Three of them live in Boone County. A 2-year-old is hospitalized with a confirmed or suspected case of the illness.
Ms. Alexander said, “Every patient in our county was identified as a consumer of raw milk products, but a single source for the bacteria has not been determined.”
The age range for the stricken Boone County residents is from 2 to 31 years. A 17-month-old Missouri toddler who is also hospitalized does not live in that county. The cases developed from late March through early April.
Symptoms of infection with E. coli 0157:H7 include diarrhea, vomiting, and severe stomach cramps. Most people improve within a week, but some people develop hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), which can cause kidney failure. If you or anyone you know is experiencing these symptoms, seek medical help immediately.
