Tennessee is one of 5 states reporting recent cases of E. coli in what national news networks have termed a "mysterious outbreak."
Jim Krasula with CBS News reports...
• Cases of E. coli have been reported in Kentucky, Tennessee, Georgia, Ohio, and Virginia in recent weeks. The youngest reported infected individual is 1 years old and the oldest is 81. Hospitalizations have ensued, but no deaths have occurred. Fortunately, there have been no yet-identified cases of kidney failure--a serious potential complication of E. coli infection.
• Unlike the outbreak that extended from October to December of 2018 and was ultimately attributed to romaine lettuce grown in three counties in California, this spring's cases of E. coli have yet to be connected to a point of origination. The CDC is conducting a sweeping investigation.
• Symptoms of infection usually appear 3 or four days after exposure, which typically comes from contaminated food or water. Symptoms include: vomiting, diarrhea, stomach pain, fever, dehydration, and decreased appetite. While certain benign strains of E. coli reside in the intestines of most healthy people and animals, the strain responsible for the recent outbreak is called E. coli 0103.
• Washing your hands with soap and hot water after using the restroom and before cooking, serving, or eating food is the best practice for protection. Clean all fruits and vegetables thoroughly before consuming and consider using a cooking thermometer to ensure that all meats are properly prepared. The USDA recommends that beef, pork, veal, and lamb reach an internal temperature of 145 degrees and that all ground meats reach 160 degrees.
