Public Health Agency of Canada - Updated: 17 Dec 2012 - Public Health Notice: E. coli O157:H7 illness related to frozen beef burgers

OTTAWA, Dec. 17, 2012 /CNW/ -

At a Glance:

Outbreak Status	Ongoing
Case count	5
Provinces/Territories	2
Deaths	0
Hospitalizations	1
Cases with Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome (HUS)	0
Gender (m:f)	3:2
Age range in years	10-59
Recall	Yes

Why you should take note

Products contaminated with E. coli O157 can pose a serious public health risk.

The Public Health Agency of Canada has been working with its health and food safety partners on an investigation into E. coli O157:H7 illnesses in Alberta and Ontario.

Today, five cases of E. coli O157:H7 illness under investigation have been confirmed to be linked to the specific strain of E. coli O157 observed in the recalled Butcher's Choice Garlic Peppercorn frozen beef burgers. Two cases were identified in Alberta, and the other three cases in Ontario. The individuals in each of these situations became ill between early September and late November. All five cases have recovered or are recovering.

Status

Investigations into outbreaks of foodborne illness can be complex. Since early December 2012, the Agency has been leading a committee that includes public health and food safety experts from the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, Health Canada and Provincial and Territorial Health Authorities. The committee meets regularly to share and review the latest information and determine what actions should be taken to protect Canadians.

Based on all the information collected to date - epidemiological, microbiological and food safety - the following cases of illness are linked to the specific strain of E. coli O157 found in the recalled frozen beef burgers. More information about the epidemiological investigation [insert hyperlink when available] is also available.

Province / Territory	Total confirmed cases
Alberta	2
Ontario	3
TOTAL	5

More information about products that have been recalled  (www.inspection.gc.ca/english/corpaffr/recarapp/2012/20121213e.shtml) and how that aspect of the investigation has unfolded, is available on the CFIA website (inspection.gc.ca/food/consumer-centre/food-safety-investigations/xl-foods/eng/1347937722467/1347937818275).

E. coli O157 foodborne illnesses are not uncommon in Canada and no unusual increases in the number of these illnesses have been detected nationally.

What you should do

Most strains of E. coli are harmless; however, some strains, such as E. coli O157:H7, can make people sick, causing severe stomach cramps, diarrhea and vomiting. Serious complications of an E. coli O157:H7 infection can include kidney failure.

If you think you are sick with an E. coli infection, consult a healthcare professional.

Symptoms of an E. Coli O157:H7 infection

Like other foodborne illnesses, the symptoms of E. coli infection mainly involve the gut. Symptoms may vary from person to person; however, they often include:

• severe stomach cramps;
• diarrhea (often watery and may develop into bloody);
• vomiting; and
• fever (generally not very high—usually less than 38.5˚C/101˚F).

Symptoms usually last five to seven days.

Around 5 to 10 per cent of those who get sick from E. coli O157:H7 overall and about 15 per cent of young children and the elderly develop hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), which can be fatal. Symptoms of HUS vary. Some people have seizures or strokes and some need blood transfusions and kidney dialysis. Others live with side effects such as permanent kidney damage.

Who is most at risk?

Infections can occur among people of all ages, however symptoms are likely to be more severe among the very young and the elderly.  Pregnant women and people with weakened immune systems are also at high risk of developing serious complications.

How to protect yourself

Proper hygiene and safe food handling and preparation practices are key to preventing the spread of all foodborne illnesses, including E. coli.

Hand washing is one of the best ways to prevent the spread of foodborne illness.

Contaminated foods may look and smell normal. It is important to ensure that you thoroughly cook foods to destroy bacteria. Recalled products (http://www.inspection.gc.ca/food/consumer-centre/food-safety-investigations/xl-foods/recalled-products/eng/1347948154750/1347948313776), however, should not be consumed and should be thrown away.

General food safety

Everyone should practice these general food safety precautions (phac-aspc.gc.ca/fs-sa/fst-csa-eng.php) at all times.

Additional information

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency's information about this investigation, including recalls (http://www.inspection.gc.ca/food/consumer-centre/food-safety-investigations/butcher-s-choice/eng/1355413127618/1355413262719)
The Public Health Agency of Canada's E. coli O157:H7 fact sheet (phac-aspc.gc.ca/fs-sa/fs-fi/ecoli-eng.php)
The Public Health Agency of Canada's Anatomy of a Foodborne Illness Outbreak (phac-aspc.gc.ca/fs-sa/anato-eng.php)
The Public Health Agency of Canada's video series, Something you ate?(phac-aspc.gc.ca/fs-sa/videos/index-eng.php)
The Government of Canada food safety web portal (foodsafety)

SOURCE: Public Health Agency of Canada

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