E. coli O157 in North America: Difference between revisions
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E. coli O157:H7 is a harmful strain of E. coli that produces a bacterial infection in humans if it gets into their digestive tracts. According to the CDC, “In 1999 it was estimated that about 73,000 people in the U.S. got sick each year from E. coli. About 60 died.” E. coli O157:H7 is an enterohemorrhagic E. coli (EHEC for short), meaning that it causes bloody diarrhea. Other symptoms may include severe stomach cramps, nausea, and vomiting. These symptoms usually arise within 3-4 days after contact with the disease, and can be diagnosed by testing a stool sample for the bacteria. In some rare cases (usually in children and the elderly) E. coli O157:H7 infection may lead to hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), which can cause kidney failure and even death. However the majority of people infected get better within a week after the symptoms. | |||
==Description of [insert name of disease]== | ==Description of [insert name of disease]== |
Revision as of 14:58, 28 August 2009
Introduction
E. coli O157:H7 is a harmful strain of E. coli that produces a bacterial infection in humans if it gets into their digestive tracts. According to the CDC, “In 1999 it was estimated that about 73,000 people in the U.S. got sick each year from E. coli. About 60 died.” E. coli O157:H7 is an enterohemorrhagic E. coli (EHEC for short), meaning that it causes bloody diarrhea. Other symptoms may include severe stomach cramps, nausea, and vomiting. These symptoms usually arise within 3-4 days after contact with the disease, and can be diagnosed by testing a stool sample for the bacteria. In some rare cases (usually in children and the elderly) E. coli O157:H7 infection may lead to hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), which can cause kidney failure and even death. However the majority of people infected get better within a week after the symptoms.
Description of [insert name of disease]
Description of the microbe
Include a link if there is an existing microbewiki page. Ex. Salmonella typhi
Transmission of disease
How is it transmitted? Is there a vector (animal/insect)?
Prevention
Why is this disease a problem in [name of country]
Do lifestyle/environment/economics/political issues play a role?
What is being done to address this problem
Include anything being done by the local government or groups as well as efforts by non-local groups.
What else could be done to address this problem
Are there solutions that could be successful but haven't been implemented due to political or economic reasons? Are there successful efforts in other countries? Are there reasons why these efforts may or may not be successful in the country you've focused on? etc. etc.
References
Edited by [insert your names here!], students of Rachel Larsen