E. Coli: Behind the Headlines

Another health scare is dominating the headlines this week:  the severe European E. coli outbreak. The outbreak appears to be linked to contaminated vegetables, and European authorities are warning against eating raw lettuce, cucumbers, and tomatoes.  So far, 18 people have died, making this outbreak the deadliest in modern history.  Germany has been especially hard hit, with more than 1,700 people infected; more than 500 of them have severe kidney complications.

U.S. Government officials and health monitoring agencies do not believe any contaminated vegetables have reached our shores.   While that is reassuring, we should use this as an opportunity to become smarter about E. coli and the good practices that help prevent illness due to food contamination. 

E. coli is an incredibly common bacterium; there are hundreds of strains and most of them are harmless.   Some strains live in our intestines and actually aid with digestion.  Other strains can produce toxins that can cause symptoms like diarrhea, dehydration, kidney failure and even death, especially when major organs like the kidneys are infected.

E. coli-related illnesses usually come from contaminated water sources, unwashed vegetables and undercooked meat.   Basic hygiene is the first line of defence against E. coli.  Hand-washing takes on enormous importance when we are working in dirt, using the toilet, dealing with soiled laundry, or changing an individual who has urinated or stooled.   Swimming in untreated waters is another particularly viral source of contamination. 

Should we forgo our five-a-day vegetable habit during such outbreaks?  The answer is no.  There is no reason to stop eating fresh vegetables in the United States, as officials are monitoring the situation carefully.  But at all times we should take the following precautions with raw fruits and vegetables: 

·         Purchase produce from reputable sellers.

·         Wash all fruits and vegetables; use cold water and a vegetable brush to remove obvious dirt then perform a second washing with a gentle soap.

·         Wash pre-packaged vegetables even if the label indicates they were pre-washed.

·         Remove layers of lettuce in the washing process, because dirt can hide within the layers of leaves.

·         Peel those fruits and vegetables that can be served in this manner.

·         Always cook food to appropriate temperatures and times.

If you think you may have eaten produce that has caused an illness, the most common symptoms include diarrhea, nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain.  These signs may not appear until a week after consumption.    Bear in mind that many other illnesses can cause these same symptoms, so don’t jump to bad conclusions.  Contact your doctor if you have concerns that you may have developed a food poisoning problem.  Your doctor may not prescribe antibiotics, though, because many outbreaks are now harder to treat precisely because the organisms causing the illness have become antibiotic-resistant.