Connecticut State Department of Public Health

04/11/2018

Statement on CDC Announcement of Multistate E. Coli Outbreak that Sickened 2 in Connecticut

The following is a statement from Dr. Matthew Cartter, State Epidemiologist and Director of Infectious Diseases at the State Department of Public Health, on today’s announcement by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) that it is actively investigating a multistate outbreak of E. coli O157:H7, which has sickened 17 individuals in seven states, including two in Connecticut.

“We are assisting the CDC in investigating a multi-state outbreak of E. coli O157:H7 infections.  It is still early in the investigation and no specific source of the infection has been identified so far.  

Most people infected with E. coli will develop diarrhea, severe stomach cramps and vomiting within 3-4 days of swallowing the germ.  People who develop symptoms of E. coli, should seek medical care, contact their local health department to report the illness, and try to track what foods were eaten and restaurants visited in the days prior to becoming ill.

 In general, people can prevent contracting E. coli by washing hands after using the restroom or changing diapers, before and after preparing or eating food and after contact with animals; cooking meats to proper temperatures; thoroughly washing all surfaces that touch raw meat; washing fruits and vegetables before eating; avoiding unpasteurized dairy products; and avoiding preparing food or drinks for others when you are sick.”  


More information about the investigation and advice for consumers can be found on the CDC’s website here.