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Escherichia coli O157 Outbreaks in the United States, 2003–2012
Katherine E. Heiman, Rajal K. Mody, Shacara D. Johnson and 2 more
Emerging Infectious Diseases · 2015 · Review
Abstract
Infections with the Shiga toxin–producing bacterium Escherichia coli O157 can cause severe illness and death. We summarized reported outbreaks of E. coli O157 infections in the United States during 2003–2012, including demographic characteristics of patients and epidemiologic findings by transmission mode and food category. We identified 390 outbreaks, which included 4,928 illnesses, 1,272 hospitalizations, and 33 deaths. Transmission was through food (255 outbreaks, 65%), person-to-person contact (39, 10%), indirect or direct contact with animals (39, 10%), and water (15, 4%); 42 (11%) had a different or unknown mode of transmission. Beef and leafy vegetables, combined, were the source of >25% of all reported E. coli outbreaks and of >40% of related illnesses. Outbreaks attributed to foods generally consumed raw caused higher hospitalization rates than those attributed to foods generally consumed cooked (35% vs. 28%). Most (87%) waterborne E. coli outbreaks occurred in states bordering the Mississippi River.
Full text
From PubMed Central, U.S. National Library of Medicine, as current on Oct 21, 2026. Paragraph numbers are ours, so an answer can point at one.
Medscape CME Activity
Medscape, LLC is pleased to provide online continuing medical education (CME) for this journal article, allowing clinicians the opportunity to earn CME credit.
This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the Essential Areas and policies of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education through the joint providership of Medscape, LLC and Emerging Infectious Diseases. Medscape, LLC is accredited by the ACCME to provide continuing medical education for physicians.
Medscape, LLC designates this Journal-based CME activity for a maximum of 1.0 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)TM. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
All other clinicians completing this activity will be issued a certificate of participation. To participate in this journal CME activity: (1) review the learning objectives and author disclosures; (2) study the education content; (3) take the post-test with a 75% minimum passing score and complete the evaluation at http://www.medscape.org/journal/eid; (4) view/print certificate.
Release date: July 15, 2015; Expiration date: July 15, 2016
Learning Objectives
Upon completion of this activity, participants will be able to:
Identify the most common source of outbreaks of Escherichia coli O157 in the United States
Identify the most common specific food source associated with foodborne outbreaks of E. coli O157 in the United States
Evaluate epidemiologic variables associated with the severity of E. coli O157 outbreaks
Assess other epidemiologic data from outbreaks of E. coli O157 in the United States
CME Editor
Jean Michaels Jones, BSN, Technical Writer/Editor, Emerging Infectious Diseases. Disclosure: Jean Michaels Jones, BSN, has disclosed no relevant financial relationships.
CME Author
Charles P. Vega, MD, Clinical Professor of Family Medicine, University of California, Irvine. Disclosure: Charles P. Vega, MD, has disclosed the following financial relationships: served as an advisor or consultant for McNeil Pharmaceuticals.
Authors
Disclosures: Katherine E. Heiman, MPH; Rajal K. Mody, MD, MPH; Shacara D. Johnson, MSPH; Patricia M. Griffin, MD; and L. Hannah Gould, PhD, MS, MBA, have disclosed no relevant financial relationships.
Cited by papers we hold 3
- The Role of Pathogenic E. coli in Fresh Vegetables: Behavior, Contamination Factors, and Preventive Measures · 2019Not checked
- Modeling the Survival of Escherichia coli O157:H7 Under Hydrostatic Pressure, Process Temperature, Time and Allyl Isothiocyanate Stresses in Ground Chicken Meat · 2018Not checked
- In Vitro Antimicrobial Activity of Green Synthesized Silver Nanoparticles Against Selected Gram-negative Foodborne Pathogens · 2018No notice
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