An E. coli outbreak in Marin County, CA has sickened four people, according to the Marin County Department of Health and Human Services. State and county health officials are working together to see if the cases may be linked to others outside the county.
Three cases of E.coli 0157:H7 infection have been confirmed, one is suspected. Three of those sickened live in Tiburon, one person is from Inverness. They are believed to have been exposed between September 11 and September 15. No new cases have been reported since that time. A specific source of the outbreak has not yet been determined.
E. coli is a bacteria that lives in the intestines of animals. It is transmitted when people eat food contaminated with microscopic amounts fecal matter. Symptoms of an E. coli infection include abdominal cramps, nausea and diarrhea that is sometimes bloody. See a doctor if you have these symptoms.
Health officials remind everyone to use good food safety practices, including washing hands with soap and water after changing diapers or using the bathroom and before preparing or eating food. Use a meat thermometer to make sure meats are cooked thoroughly and wash hands, counters, cutting boards and utensils after touching raw meat.
