ST. GEORGE, UT - The Southwest Utah Public Health Department
(SWUPHD) has confirmed six cases of E.coli ( Escherichia coli) in the
Hildale/Colorado City area on the Utah/Arizona border. The most serious cases
involve children, and include two deaths. There is an ongoing investigation
being carried out by health personnel and the source of this outbreak has not
yet been determined. The outbreak appears to be confined to a limited area of
Hildale and risk to the larger community is not considered to be significant at
this time.
“E.coli is a bacteria known to cause diarrheal illness,”
says Dr. David Blodgett, SWUPHD Health
Officer. “Certain types of E.coli are more concerning than others. Some of the
cases in this outbreak have been identified as the O157H7 strain, characterized
by bloody diarrhea and serious complications. Our thoughts and sympathies are
with the families who have been affected”.
The disease-causing types of E. coli are usually
spread to humans when tiny amounts of human or animal feces gets in the mouth.
These particles can come from unwashed hands, contaminated water or food, and
animal exposure.
The general symptoms of E.coli can include stomach cramps,
diarrhea (often bloody), vomiting, and fever (usually 101 F or lower). Bloody diarrhea is a symptom characteristic
of the strain involved in the outbreak. Symptoms will appear between one and
ten days after exposure. Most people will recover within five to seven days
after becoming ill.
People can help prevent E.coli infection by thorough hand
washing after animal exposure, using the restroom, changing diapers, and before
and after food preparation. Practice proper food preparation by keeping raw
meat separate from other foods, cooking meat to safe temperatures (usually 165
degrees F), and refrigerating foods that can spoil within two hours. Do not
drink raw milk or unpurified water from streams, ponds, or lakes.
People who have these symptoms should contact their
healthcare provider. More information and updates will be available on the
SWUPHD website
(
www.swuhealth.org/ecoli) and the SWUPHD
Facebook page (swuhealth).
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The mission of the Southwest Utah Public
Health Department is to protect the community’s health through the promotion of
wellness and the prevention of disease. Visit our website at www.swuhealth.org
