Indicator Profile of Foodborne Illness - E. coli Infections
Why Is This Important?
Escherichia coli are very common bacteria that can cause diarrheal illness in humans, although non-pathogenic strains are also found in stool. The UDOH tracks one category of E. coli that cause diarrhea, known as enterohemorrhagic E. coli or EHEC. The most common strain of EHEC is O157:H7, but there are many other strains of E. coli that are enterohemorrhagic. Rather than listing all of them individually, strains of E. coli that are enterohemorrhagic (other than O157:H7) are listed in the 'E. coli Other' category.All age groups can be infected with E. coli, but young children, the elderly, and those with unhealthy immune systems are the most severely affected. The bacteria live in the intestines of some healthy cattle, and contamination of the meat can occur in the slaughtering process. Eating ground beef that has been inadequately cooked is a common way of getting the infection. Other sources of infection include unpasteurized milk and juice, drinking or swimming in water that is contaminated with sewage, eating unwashed fruits or vegetables, or contact with animals that are infected.
Data Notes
Several different types of E. coli strains have been identified, one of which is called enterohemorrhagic E. coli (EHEC). This pathotype includes the strain E. coli O157:H7. Several years ago, E. coli O157:H7 was made reportable as its own category. Recent changes to the disease reporting rule specifically include all EHEC. The category 'E. coli Other' includes any cases of EHEC species, other than E. coli O157:H7, that are reported to the State of Utah. Utah rates are derived from Utah annual surveillance reports. Utah 2007 rates are preliminary and subject to change.Data Sources
Utah Department of Health, Bureau of Epidemiology;Definition
Number of infections caused by Escherichia coli O157:H7 and other strains of E. coli.How We Calculated the Rates
| Numerator: | Number of Escherichia coli O157:H7 and other E. coli infections per 100,000 population during the calendar year. |
| Denominator: | Utah population totals by year. |
Page Content Updated On 06/13/08,
Published on 06/13/08
