An E. coli outbreak at Ohio University in Athens County, Ohio has sickened at least 11 students, according to news reports. A joint release from the Athens City-County Health Department and Ohio University provided this information. There is nothing on the health web site or the University web site about this outbreak.
Dr. Carl Ortman, the county’s health commissioner, told WOUB Public Media that a team is conducting interviews with the sick students to try to discover where they were exposed to the pathogen and if there is a common exposure source. The news release stated, “Details such as when people became ill, where they spent time, and what they ate in the days before symptoms began can help investigators determine whether these cases are connected.” These details can also help public health officials decide if there is a risk of exposure to the general public.
Officials are expecting that this outbreak will grow. The University has taken several steps to control the spread of this outbreak, including more cleaning and disinfection in residents halls and dining areas. They are also inspecting food preparation facilities to make sure all food safety laws and rules are being followed.
This type of outbreak is not uncommon, considering that students live, eat, and work in close quarters. In 2023, an E. coli outbreak at the University of Arkansas sickened at least 42 people, and in 2022, a small E. coil outbreak at San Diego University sickened two students.
Symptoms of an E. coli illness typically start three to four days after exposure, but some people may not get sick until 10 days later. If your child is at that University and has been experiencing the symptoms of an E. coli infection, have them see your doctor. One complication of this infection, hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), can occur, but it is more common in children under the age of five.
