Three people are sick with E. coli infections in Winnebago County, Illinois, according to the Winnebago County Health Department. Those patients have been experiencing diarrhea beginning May 21, 2019. The exact cause of the illness has not been determined.
An outbreak is defined as two people who are not related getting sick with the same illness. E. coli outbreaks in the past have been linked to contaminated water and contaminated food, especially ground beef and leafy greens. Authorities interview these patients to see if they can find a common source for the pathogen.
If you or anyone you know has been sick with the symptoms of a Shiga toxin-producing E. coli infection on or after May 21, 2019, contact a healthcare provider, especially if you live in Winnebago County, Illinois. This infection can be life-threatening, especially if a complication called hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) develops. This complication primarily affects children under the age of 5.
The symptoms of an E. coli infection include serious and painful abdominal cramps, watery or bloody diarrhea (three or more loose stools in a 24 hour period), and vomiting. A mild fever may be present. These symptoms usually begin a few days up to a week after exposure to the pathogen.
There are ways to avoid getting an E. coli infection. First, never eat ground beef or other meat that is not cooked to well done (160°F). Second, wash your hands well after using the bathroom, changing diapers, or taking care of someone who is sick, especially with a diarrheal illness. And third, wash fruits and vegetables well before preparing and eating them. Rinse them under running water, and scrub sturdy produce with a clean vegetable brush. Fourth, avoid consuming raw milk and unpasteurized dairy products, and avoid unpasteurized juice.
