Published Date: 2011-08-17 16:13:35
Subject: PRO/AH/EDR> E. coli O157 - USA (05): (PA) lake swimming
Archive Number: 20110817.2493
E. COLI O157 - USA (05): (PENNSYLVANIA), LAKE SWIMMING
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A ProMED-mail post
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International Society for Infectious Diseases
http://www.isid.org
Date: Tue 16 Aug 2011
Source: Public Opinion Online [edited]
http://www.publicopiniononline.com/localnews/ci_18688921
With the investigation into an _E. coli_ outbreak at Cowans Gap State
Park apparently continuing, the Pennsylvania Department of Health had
no updates to report on Mon 15 Aug 2011.
At last count, there were 11 confirmed and 2 probable _E. coli_
O157:H7 infections linked to park's 42-acre lake, which has been
closed to recreational use since 9 Aug 2011. Thomas Hostetter, a press
aide with the department, said there were no new numbers to release
Monday [15 Aug 2011]. He said additional updates would be provided
whenever they are available.
Scott Gilbert, a spokesperson for Milton S. Hershey Medical Center,
said the hospital was treating 5 children for hemolytic uremic
syndrome Monday [15 Aug 2011]. A patient was discharged Friday [12 Aug
2011], and another came in the same day, he said.
The most recent case of HUS at the hospital is not being linked to
Cowans Gap, Gilbert said. There has been a total of 8 patients with
the syndrome since the outbreak was reported, with 5 reporting that
they swam in the lake.
--
Communicated by:
HealthMap Alerts via ProMED-mail
<promed@promedmail.org>
[As pointed out by Dr. J. Richard Gould <RGould@avdha.nshealth.ca>, it
is indeed possible that the outbreak of _E. coli_ O157 associated with
the lake may not be related to swimming in the lake. At this point, of
8 patients with hemolytic uremic syndrome, only 5 swam in the lake.
Food eaten at the lake may also be the source.
With so many of the recognized cases having HUS, it is likely that
more cases just causing diarrhea or bloody diarrhea have occurred,
although a strain with more virulence could also do this. - Mod.LL]
See Also
E. coli O157 - USA (04): (PA) lake swimming 20110810.2428E. coli O157 - USA (03): (OR) strawberry 20110809.2413
E. coli O157 - USA (02): (AL) water park 20110629.1981
E. coli O157 - USA: Lebanon bologna, alert, recall 20110325.0946
E. coli O157 - North America: hazelnut, alert, recall 20110310.0777
2010
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E. coli O157 - USA (07): cheese 20101105.4007
E. coli VTEC non-O157 - USA (07): O26, ground beef, alert, recall
20100831.3097
E. coli O157 - USA (06): ground beef, alert, recall 20100809.2715
E. coli O157 - USA (05): (CO, NY), bison meat, alert, recall
20100709.2286
E. coli O157 - USA (04): (MN) unpasteurized milk 20100607.1900
E. coli O157 - USA (03): (MN) unpasteurized milk 20100528.1776
E. coli O157 - USA (02): (WA), day care 20100413.1200
E. coli VTEC non-O157 - USA (02): (OH, MI, NY) O145 20100505.1460
E. coli VTEC non-O157 - USA: (MI, OH) 20100427.1358
E. coli O157 - USA: 2009, tenderized non-intact steak 20100108.0092
2005
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E. coli O157, lake swimming - USA (MN) 20050712.1983
E. coli O157, religious camp - USA (OR)(02) 20050602.1540
E. coli O157, religious camp - USA (OR) 20050531.1504
2004
----
E. coli O157, swimming pool - UK (England)(02) 20040927.2666
E. coli O157, swimming pool - UK (England) 20040920.2602
E. coli O157, water - UK (England) 20040908.2503
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