WHAT YOU KNOW ABOUT E. COLI DISEASE

The outbreak of E.coli infections in Germany and 11 other countries has continued to spread, with more than 2,260 cases in total, including 22 deaths, reported, the World Health Organization said in its latest update on the situation.
According to the WHO, many of those infected with the enterohaemorrhagic E. coli (EHEC) bacteria have developed haemolytic uraemic syndrome (HUS), which can be fatal. E. coli is short for Escherichia coli bacteria that cause severe cramps and diarrhea. The symptoms are worse in children and older people, and especially in people who have another illness.
Most E. coli infections come from eating undercooked ground beef (the inside is pink), drinking contaminated water, drinking unpasteurized milk and working with cattle. Healthy beef and dairy cattle may carry the E. coli germ in their intestines. The meat can get contaminated during the slaughtering process. When beef is ground up, the germ get mixed throughout the meat. The most common way to get this infection is by eating contaminated food. The germ can also be passed from persons to persons in day care centers and nursing homes.
Symptoms start about seven days after you are infected with the germ. The first sign is severe abdominal cramps that start suddenly and watery diarrhea. The infection causes sores in your intestines, so the stools become bloody. Bloody diarrhea lasts for 2 to 5 days. You may have a mild fever or no fever. You may also have nausea or vomiting
The most common complication is called haemolytic uraemic syndrome. People with this problem get haemolytic anaemia which is a low red blood cell count, thrombocytopenia which is a low platelet count and renal failure which is kidney damage. Hemolytic uremic syndrome is more common in children. It can cause acute renal failure in children. The problem starts about 5 to 10 days after the diarrhea starts.
You can help prevent this infection by handling and cooking meat in a safe way. Wash your hands carefully with soap before you start cooking.
Cooking ground beef until you see no pink anywhere. Don’t taste small bites of raw ground beef while you are cooking. Don’t put cooked hamburgers on a plate that had raw beef on it before. Defrost meat in the refrigerator on the microwave. Don’t let meat sit on the counter to defrost.
Keep raw meat and poultry separate from other foods. Use hot water and soap to wash cutting boards and dishes if raw meat and poultry have touched them.
Don’t drink raw milk. Keep food refrigerated or frozen. Keep hot food hot and cold food cold. Refrigerate leftovers right away or throw them away.
People with diarrhea should wash their hands carefully and often, using hot water and soap, and washing for at least 30 seconds. People who work in day care centers and homes for the elderly should wash their hands often. This together with proper cooking of meat is the key to preventing the spread of E. coli infection.