This is an official CDC HEALTH ALERT
Distributed via Health Alert Network
Thursday, September 14, 2006, 23:00 EDT (11:00 PM EDT)
CDCHAN-00249-2006-09-14-ALT-N
Multiple States Investigating a
Large Outbreak of E. coli O157:H7 Infections
Public health officials in multiple states, with the
assistance of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, are investigating
a large outbreak of E. coli O157:H7 infections. Thus far, 50 cases with
isolates demonstrating pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) CDC PulseNet
pattern number EXHX01.0124, as determined by Xba restriction enzyme DNA
digestion, have been reported from CT (1), ID (3), IN (4), MI (3), OR (5), NM
(2), UT (11), WI (20). Eight patients developed the hemolytic uremic
syndrome (HUS) and one patient died. Most cases are recent: for those
with known illness onset, the range of onset is 08/25/2006 to 09/03/2006.
The outbreak is likely ongoing.
Preliminary findings from case interviews indicate that
pre-packaged spinach is the most likely source. Additional investigation
is necessary to determine the brand or brands of pre-packaged spinach
involved. State and CDC investigators are working with FDA to quickly
gather information to take action to protect the public. The FDA advises
that consumers not eat bagged fresh spinach at this time.
The E. coli O157:H7 bacterium causes diarrhea that is often
bloody and accompanied by abdominal cramps, but fever is absent or mild. The
illness typically resolves within a week. However, some people,
especially young children and the elderly, develop the hemolytic uremic
syndrome, or HUS.
For more information concerning E. coli O157 infection,
please see the CDC internet website: http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/diseases/submenus/sub_ecoli.htm.
E. coli
O157:H7 cases should be reported rapidly to the appropriate local and state
public health officials, and isolates should be forwarded to state public
health laboratories for rapid PFGE analysis. We request state officials
report cases demonstrating the outbreak PFGE pattern to the Enteric Diseases Epidemiology
Branch (Thai-An Nguyen (ten9@cdc.gov, 404-639-0776) ASAP.
NOTE: The CDC HAN web site
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