Capital District E. coli Update - Case Numbers As of September 15, 1999
Albany, September 15, 1999 – The New York State Department of Health now reports a total of 921 suspected and confirmed cases of E. coli 0157:H7 infection resulting from the Capital District outbreak. Health officials believe the increase in numbers can be attributed to a lag in case reporting time, and cases involving individuals who waited to seek medical attention, since none of the newly–identified patients reported recent onset of infection.
A total of 116 cases have been culture–confirmed through a special laboratory test. Suspect cases are those individuals who have symptoms of E. coli infection, but whose illness has not been laboratory confirmed.
To date, 65 people have been hospitalized as a result of the E. coli outbreak associated with the Washington County Fair. Eleven children developed Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome, a severe complication of E. coli infection, and two people have died.
Most ill individuals are primary cases, that is, they attended the Washington County Fair and consumed water or products made with water piped from a contaminated well. Only about ten secondary cases have been reported in which infection was spread from person to person because of poor sanitary practices. Although a food service employee who worked at both the Washington County and Schaghticoke fairs was confirmed to be positive with E. coli infection, no cases of E. coli are confirmed in Schaghticoke fair–goers.
Symptoms of E. coli infection are diarrhea, occasionally bloody diarrhea, and abdominal cramping. Fever is sometimes present along with the other symptoms. Health officials caution any individuals with these symptoms to check with their health care provider and to refrain from food handling, child care or patient care while they are sick to prevent transmission of the illness.
No press briefing is scheduled for today.
9/15/99–117 OPA
