| Escherichia
coli O157:H7 and Drinking Water from Private Wells
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What is Escherichia coli O157:H7?
E. coli O157:H7
(Ee Koe-lie) is one of the hundreds of strains of the bacterium Escherichia
coli.� Most strains are harmless and live in the intestines of healthy
humans and animals.� However, this strain, O157:H7, produces a powerful
toxin that can cause severe illness.� The bacteria can be found on a small
number of cattle farms and can live in the intestines of healthy cattle.
How can I become infected with E. coli O157:H7?
Eating meat, especially ground beef, that has not been cooked sufficiently
to kill E. coli O157:H7 can cause infection.� Other known
modes of infection include:
- Eating
contaminated sprouts, lettuce, or salami;
- Drinking
unpasteurized milk or juice;
- Swimming in or drinking sewage-contaminated water.
Where
and how does E. coli O157:H7 get into my drinking water?
E. coli O157:H7
is most commonly found on a small number of cattle farms where the bacteria
can live in the intestines of healthy cattle.� Millions of germs can be
released in a bowel movement from an infected human or animal.� E. coli O157:H7
may be found in water sources such as private wells that have been contaminated
with feces from infected humans or animals.� Waste can enter the water through
various ways, including sewage overflows, polluted storm water runoff, and
agricultural runoff.
What are the symptoms
of an E. coli O157:H7 infection?
E. coli O157:H7 infection often causes severe bloody diarrhea
and abdominal cramps.� However, sometimes the infection causes nonbloody
diarrhea or no symptoms at all.� Usually there is little or no fever,
and the illness goes away in 5-10 days.
In some persons, particularly children under 5 years of age and the elderly,
the infection can also cause a complication called hemolytic uremic syndrome
(HUS), which causes kidney failure.� About 2%-7% of E. coli 0157:H7
infections lead to this complication.� In the United States, HUS is the
principal cause of acute kidney failure in children.
What should I do if I
think I have an E. coli O157:H7 infection?
See your health care provider
to discuss your concerns.� All persons who suddenly have diarrhea with blood
in it should have their stool tested for E. coli O157:H7.
How is an E. coli
O157:H7 infection diagnosed?
E. coli O157:H7
infection is diagnosed by detecting the germ in a stool sample.� However,
most laboratories do not test for E. coli O157:H7.� It is important
for your health care provider to request that the stool specimen be tested
for this organism.�
What is
the treatment for E. coli O157:H7 infections?
Most people recover without antibiotics or other specific treatment
in 5-10 days. There is no evidence that antibiotics will improve the
course of disease.� In fact, treatment with some antibiotics might
even increase the likelihood of kidney complications.� Avoid all antidiarrheal
agents, such as loperamide (Imodium), and consult with your health
care provider.
How do I remove E. coli O157:H7 from my drinking water?
Heating water at a full boil for 1 minute (3 minutes if you
live in a high altitude) will kill or inactivate E. coli O157:H7.�
Water should then be stored in a clean container with a lid and refrigerated.
Currently, there is no filter certified to remove bacteria
from water.� This issue is currently being studied.
You may also disinfect your well; contact your local health
department for recommended procedures. Remember to have your well
water tested periodically after disinfection to make sure the problem does
not recur.
Revised Summer 2003
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