An E.coli outbreak linked to burgers served at the SSE Hydro center in Glasgow, Scotland has sickened 21 people. The Hydro is a 12,000-seat entertainment venue that opened last fall.
Those who fell ill likely attended performances between January 17 and January 19, investigators say. During that time, there were three shows at The Hydro: Top Gear, Del Amitri and Celtic Connections.
Twenty of the case patients are from Scotland. One is from England. All have recovered or are recovering at home. The outbreak is not expected to grow because the incubation period has passed.
Symptoms of an E.coli infection, which include stomach cramps, diarrhea, nausea and fever, usually set in three to four days after exposure but can take as long as 10 days to appear. Sometimes the diarrhea is bloody. Symptoms can last as long as 10 days.
E. coli lives in the intestinal tracts of animals. These bacteria can get can get on cuts of meat during slaughter or if the meat is handled by someone who has not washed their hands after using the restroom. If the contaminated meat is not thoroughly cooked, those who eat it can become ill. Using a food thermometer is the only way to make sure that meat has been thoroughly cooked.
