Three more sick with E. coli in S.E. Neb.
Posted: Wednesday, July 30, 2008
OMAHA, Neb. (AP) -- Three more people in southeast Nebraska have tested positive for E. coli infection, and a York health official said a community event may be to blame.
Vicki Duey, executive director of the Four Corners Health Department, said Tuesday that there have been five confirmed cases of E. coli infection since her office was first alerted on July 22, and others may be sick.
Health officials are looking at whether food served at a public event held two weeks ago may have sickened people. Duey said it was a one-time event but declined to give other information about the occasion or where it took place.
Her department covers Butler, Polk, Seward and York counties.
Duey said improperly cooked or mishandled food could be the cause.
Organizers of the event are helping with the investigation and trying to identify others who may have fallen ill, Duey said. The state health department is also helping.
Last week, investigators ruled out restaurant food and meat recalled June 30 by an Omaha company as possible sources. Duey said Tuesday that no beef was served at the event.
Duey has declined to provide details about the sick Nebraskans or where they live, citing patient privacy.
Symptoms of E. coli infection include stomach cramps and diarrhea that may turn bloody within one to three days.
Federal experts estimate E. coli sickens about 73,000 people and kills an average of 61 people each year in the United States.
On the Net:
Four Corners Health Department: http://www.fourcorners.ne.gov/
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: http://www.cdc.gov/
Vicki Duey, executive director of the Four Corners Health Department, said Tuesday that there have been five confirmed cases of E. coli infection since her office was first alerted on July 22, and others may be sick.
Health officials are looking at whether food served at a public event held two weeks ago may have sickened people. Duey said it was a one-time event but declined to give other information about the occasion or where it took place.
Her department covers Butler, Polk, Seward and York counties.
Duey said improperly cooked or mishandled food could be the cause.
Organizers of the event are helping with the investigation and trying to identify others who may have fallen ill, Duey said. The state health department is also helping.
Last week, investigators ruled out restaurant food and meat recalled June 30 by an Omaha company as possible sources. Duey said Tuesday that no beef was served at the event.
Duey has declined to provide details about the sick Nebraskans or where they live, citing patient privacy.
Symptoms of E. coli infection include stomach cramps and diarrhea that may turn bloody within one to three days.
Federal experts estimate E. coli sickens about 73,000 people and kills an average of 61 people each year in the United States.
On the Net:
Four Corners Health Department: http://www.fourcorners.ne.gov/
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: http://www.cdc.gov/
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