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August 5, 2008
Public
Health Advisory: Massachusetts Health Officials Investigating E.Coli
Cases
Same strain of bacteria has been found in patients from several
states. Source has not been identified, but illnesses may be linked
to consumption of beef products.
BOSTON - The
Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) is investigating
six cases of E. coli O157:H7 in Massachusetts residents that appear
to be caused by the same strain of the bacteria found in patients
from several other states.
A source of
contamination has not been identified; however the cluster of illnesses
may be linked to the consumption of beef products. State health
officials, along with investigators from USDA, worked through the
weekend to try and identify a possible source of contamination.
The investigation is focused on ground beef, and testing of samples
collected from several stores will be conducted this week.
Based on the
preliminary findings, DPH is reminding the public to consume only
fully cooked ground beef. Cooking meat to an internal temperature
of 160 degrees Fahrenheit kills the bacteria.
E. coli O157:H7
is a type of bacteria that can cause bloody diarrhea, dehydration,
and in the most severe cases, kidney failure. The very young, the
elderly and persons with weakened immune systems are the most susceptible
to foodborne illness.
The Massachusetts
cases range in age from three to 60 years. They include residents
of Middlesex, Suffolk and Essex counties. They reported becoming
ill between July 10th and 16th. At least five of the cases were
hospitalized. These cases may be linked to 20 other cases in several
states and Quebec that were caused by the same strain of E. coli.
The Massachusetts
cases were linked by DNA testing and by comparing those results
to results from others around the country through a federal foodborne
illness surveillance program called PulseNet.
Breakdown of
Mass. Cases
| Source County |
Age |
Sex |
Onset |
| ESSEX |
3 |
MALE |
7/10/2008 |
| MIDDLESEX |
29 |
FEMALE |
7/16/2008 |
| MIDDLESEX |
59 |
FEMALE |
7/12/2008 |
| MIDDLESEX |
60 |
FEMALE |
TBD |
| SUFFOLK |
13 |
MALE |
7/11/2008 |
| SUFFOLK |
19 |
MALE |
7/13/2008 |
Anyone with
signs or symptoms of foodborne illness should consult their health
care provider, local board of health, the DPH Epidemiology Program
at 617-983-6800 or the Food Protection Program at 617-983-6712.
This advisory
will be updated as new information becomes available.
Resources on the Web: Go to www.mass.gov/dph
for link to Fact Sheet on E.coli O157:H7 or click
here
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