An unusually high number of E coli cases in Davis County this summer has sickened 18 people.
One of the victims is a two year old boy, who has been hospitalized for three weeks.
News Specialist Sam Penrod has the story.
The young victim suffered from kidney failure, but is close to being released from the hospital after three weeks here.
His is just one of 18 E coli cases this summer in Davis County that are a mystery to the health department.
Health officials have ruled out the Con Agri beef recalled from Colorado, last month.
The strains from the recalled beef do not match those contracted by people in Davis County.
E coli can cause serious digestive problems, especially in children. Certain strains can be especially dangerous.
The patients who have fallen ill this summer are all from the northern end of the county. Health investigators have tracked some transmission between family members, but have found nothing common between the other cases.
Lewis Garrett/Health Dir., Davis Co. Health Dept: "BETWEEN INDIVIDUALS WE HAVEN'T FOUND ANY COMMON PICNICS, COMMON RESTAURANTS, OR EVEN COMMON AREAS THAT THEY SHOP FOR FOOD, OR COMMON ACTIVITIES. AT THIS POINT WE ARE PERLEXED AT WHAT'S CAUSING THIS, AND WE'RE STILL WORKING ON IT."
E Coli Prevention
- Completely cook hamburger
- Wash vegetables
- Be cautious around untreated water
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Health officials say there are three easy ways to prevent E coli contamination.
First, cook hamburger completely, so the inside of the meat reaches 160 degrees.
Wash vegetables thoroughly, such as melons, that could be contaminated from manure used as fertilizer.
And if you swim in untreated water, or water ski or boat, be careful not to swallow any water.
There has not been a case of E coli reported in Davis County in the last couple of weeks, so officials hope the cases are slowing down.
August 15, 2002
