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Timothy F. Jones
Health officials have badociated a multi-state epidemic of Escherichia coli ground beef, although no supplier, distributor or joint brand has yet been identified.
According to the CDC, six states – Georgia, Indiana, Kentucky, Ohio, Tennessee and Virginia – reported 109 infections by the epidemic strain of the Shiga-producing toxin. E. coli O103, including 17 hospitalized patients.
It was a week between the time the CDC announced the outbreak and the moment it named a source.
"Investigations to date seem to indicate that ground beef may be the cause, and as a precaution, this has been made public", Timothy F. Jones, MD, Infectious Diseases News Member of the Editorial Board and State Epidemiologist of the Tennessee Department of Health, said Infectious Diseases News. "The unfortunate consequence of doing this in the absence of a very specific product involved is that it is very difficult for people to know what to do."
A total of 109 cases of E. coli the infection has been linked to ground beef.
Source: Adobe Stock.
An infection caused by a Shiga toxin producing E. coli may result in hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) – a type of kidney failure – although no case has been reported in the epidemic until now, said the CDC.
The agency noted that a patient with E. coli who have been treated with antibiotics may be at increased risk for HUS. As a result, clinicians must wait for diagnostic test results before prescribing antibiotics to suspected patients E. coli infections, the agency advised.
In December, JBS Tolleson recalled 12 million pounds of ground beef in the middle of a campaign Salmonella trigger. For the current outbreak, the CDC has not recommended retailers to stop selling or serving ground beef, and has not advised consumers to consume it. However, the agency urged consumers and restaurants to properly handle and cook ground beef well to prevent any food-borne illness.
"The most important message is to continue using safe handling and cooking practices. Hands, utensils and surfaces in contact with uncooked ground beef should be thoroughly washed, ground beef should not come in contact with other foods that will not be cooked, and ground beef should always be well cooked cooked, "said Jones. "Letting people know that these practices will prevent diseases, even if a particular food is consumed, can go a long way to alleviating unnecessary concerns."
The investigation is ongoing and "is evolving rapidly," said the CDC. He said that updates will be available as information is collected. – by Marley Ghizzone
Reference:
CDC. Outbreak of E. coli infections. https://www.cdc.gov/ecoli/2019/o103-04-19/index.html. Accessed April 15, 2019.
Disclosure: Jones does not report any relevant financial information.
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