Office of Communicable Diseases

E.coli

E. coli 0157:H7 is an emerging cause of foodborne illness in the United States. It is one strain of the E.coli bacteria that lives in the gut of healthy cattle that can cause severe illness in humans.

Information on the disease and its prevention
(forwarded to CDC web site).

How Can I Avoid E.coli O157:H7?

• Always wash hands with soap and water after using the bathroom or changing diapers.
• Always wash hands with soap and water before eating.
• Drink only pasteurized milk products and fruit juices.
• Eat only fruits and vegetables that have been washed well.
• Always wash your hands before and after preparing food.
• Wash everything that raw meat touches including all cutting boards, utensils, bowls, and counter tops with hot, soapy water.
• Use a separate cutting board to prepare raw meats.
• Cook all ground meat thoroughly (particularly ground beef). Ground beef should be cooked to at least 160° F (a temperature that will kill the bacteria). If the temperature cannot be checked, cook ground beef until the juices run clear, and the inside is gray or brown throughout (not pink).
• Use a clean plate for cooked meat. Never return cooked meat back to the same plate the raw meat was on.
• If you are served an undercooked hamburger in a restaurant, send it back for further cooking. Due to the risk of HUS, children 12 and under may not be served undercooked hamburger in Rhode Island.
• Click here for additional food safety tips.

What Are E. coli O157:H7 Rates in Rhode Island

Who can I contact at the Department of Health about E.coli O157:H7?

Call the Office of Communicable Diseases at 401-222-2577.