9 Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC)
https://www.cdc.gov/ecoli/general/index.html
9.1 Epidemiologic Review
9.1.1 Disease Information
Overview: Shiga-toxin producing E. coli (STEC) is an intestinal disease caused by the bacteria Escherichia coli. Strains of E. coli can produce a toxin that causes serious illness.
Symptoms: Common symptoms include diarrhea, which may be bloody, abdominal cramps, and vomiting. In severe cases, patients may develop a condition called hemolytic uremic syndrome. This syndrome can cause kidney failure.
Transmission: The disease is spread through the fecal-oral route by the consumption of contaminated food, unpasteurized milk, untreated water and other contact with feces or an infected person.
Treatment: Treatment is supportive care. Antibiotics should not be used to treat infection.
Prevention Prevention methods include proper hand hygiene after contact with animals and before handling food. Ensure food is cooked at the proper temperature. Only drink pasteurized milk.
9.1.2 Demographics
Rates for <1 year of age are not displayed due low case counts.
| Race | Rate per 100k |
|---|---|
| American Indian or Alaska Native | <5 cases |
| Asian | <5 cases |
| Black or African American | <5 cases |
| Other Race | 5.9 |
| Unknown | <5 cases |
| White | 9.1 |
| Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander | <5 cases |
| Two or More Races | <5 cases |
Rates for American Indian or Alaska Native, Asian, Black or African American, Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander, and Two or More Races people are not displayed due low case counts.
| Ethnicity | Rate per 100k |
|---|---|
| Hispanic or Latino | 6.2 |
| Not Hispanic or Latino | 7.4 |
| Unknown | <5 cases |
Rates for Unknown Ethnicity are not displayed due to low case counts.
9.1.3 Outbreaks
There was a confirmed outbreak of Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) and norovirus among residents and staff at a long-term care facility. The outbreak was first identified after two cases of STEC were identified through routine surveillance. Investigators later learned that both patients had also tested positive for norovirus. In total, 37 people (20/62 residents and 17/76 staff) were reported ill between 6/10/22 and 6/21/22.
Salt Lake County Environmental Health Food Protection team visited the facility to provide guidance on proper cleaning and to recommend closing the dining room and suspending any self-service dining. No kitchen staff were reported ill, and no issues regarding food preparation were identified. Additionally, the Healthcare-Associated Infection (HAI) team at the Utah Department of Health and Human Services provided infection control support to the facility.
9.1.4 Monthly and Historical Comparisons
2022 had the highest STEC rates in the last 5 years.
Data for Utah and the CDC were retrieved from the CDC’s Notifiable Infectious Disease Data Tables and were available up until 2020.