| Health Advisory -- September 29, 2006
E. coli O157:H7 Outbreak Associated with Raw Milk
Two children, residing in King County and Snohomish Counties , respectively, have become ill with E. coli O157:H7 infection after consuming unpasteurized milk from Grace Harbor Farms, a licensed dairy in Whatcom County. Both children drank milk from the dairy and their E. coli isolates had the same Pulse Field Gel Electrophoresis (PFGE) pattern at Washington Department of Health Laboratory.
Grace
Harbor
sells its products in several WA counties through health food stores, PCC Natural Markets and Whole Foods Market. The implicated milk is no longer available in stores. Consumers are encouraged to dispose of any
Grace
Harbor
raw milk they may currently have in their homes. This recommendation does not extend to
Grace
Harbor
's pasteurized milk products.
- E. coli O157:H7 infection causes diarrhea that is often bloody and accompanied by abdominal cramps. Fever is typically absent or mild. The illness typically resolves within a week. However, some people, especially young children and the elderly, develop hemolytic uremic syndrome, or HUS.
- Because of the potential for serious life-threatening illness, people with either bloody diarrhea or diarrhea with severe cramping should be evaluated. A petechial rash and in addition to these symptoms is suggestive of HUS and should trigger an urgent evaluation.
- Healthcare providers evaluating patients with possible E. coli O157:H7 infection should order a stool culture specifying testing for E. coli O157:H7. If patient is severely ill or petechiae are present, the laboratory evaluation should include a complete blood count, serum electrolytes, BUN, creatinine, and urinalysis.
Suspected and confirmed E. coli O157:H7 cases should be reported immediately, day or night, to Public Health at (206) 296-4774.
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quick click
E. coli fact sheet
Most strains of
E. coli are harmless. However, one particular strain, E. coli O157:H7, may cause serious illness in people.
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Raw milk fact sheet
Drinking raw (unpasteurized) milk, or eating products made from raw milk, such as cream, cheese or yogurt, can be dangerous because raw milk can be contaminated with harmful bacteria.
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