Question

What is E.coli O157;H7? How can laboratory quickly identify this organism? Where were the three most recent outbreaks and what foods were they associated with? What is your suggestion/s to prevent the spread of the organism?

Answer 1

1.

Ecoli o 157;H7 is a dangerous form of Escherichia coli,the colon bacillus,a bacterium that normally lives in the human colon.It is a major health problem,causing hemorrhagic colitis,the hemolytic-uremic syndrome,and thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpua.

2.

Rapid immunoassay for detection of E.coli O 157;H7 in stool specimen or culture

One step ,easy to follow procedure provides more accurate results in less than 20 minutes

Steps

• Add 350ul of sample diluent to a test tube
• Add 25 ul of stool sample to the test tube and mix well
• Add 350 ul of broth culture to the test tube and mix it well
• Add 150 ul of diluted sample to the sample port. Incubate 10 minutes at 21 -25 degree celcius.
• Interpret the results
• Positive results-Visually detectable red/purple test and control lines
• Negative results-Visually detectable red/purple control lines.No test lines present
• Invalid test results-No visually detectable red/purple control or test lines.

3.

Recent Outbreaks

The outbreak appears to be over as of January 9,2019

1. 62 people infected with the outbreak strain of Ecoli O157;H7 were reported from 16 States and the Districts of Columbia.
2. The Public Health Agency of Canada identified ill people infected with E.coli O 157;H7 bacteria in Canada.
3. CDC identified the outbreak strain of E.coli O157:H7,in sediment collected with in agricultural water reservior on Adam Brros.FarmingInc.Farm in Santa Barbra Country.

4.

Food associated with the disease

• The raw milk
• under cooked ground beef
• Contaminated water
• Unpaturized diary products

5.

PREVENTIVE MEASURES

1. Do not eat raw or under cooked ground beef
2. After cooking ground beef,refrigerate with in 2 hours and use with in 3-4 days
3. Wash hands with soap and water after touching the raw meat and before touching other kitchen items
4. Use separate cutting boards for fruits and vegetables.
5. Wash hands after using he rest room,or changing diapers,before and afer preparing or eating food,and after contact with animals
6. Cook meats thoroughly to kill harmful germs.Cook steaks and roasts to at least 145 degree F and let rest for 3 minutes after you remove meat from the grill or stove
7. Do not spread germs from raw meat around food preparation areas.
8. Avoid raw milk,other unpasturized dairy products.