E coli kills young boy in Washington State
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Some deadly e coli bacteria lurked in a Washington State day care center killing one child and sickening three other children, the Associated Press cited health officials as saying Friday.The 4-year old boy was hospitalized on March 19 after he was struck by the E. coli O157:H7 bacteria, Dr. Alan Melnick, the health officer for Clark County was cited as saying.
The death has been reported to the Washington State Department of Early Leaning. And the County health officials temporarily closed the home-based, licensed daycare center run by Dianne and Larry Fletch April 2, the AP reported. The daycare center will remain closed until children and adults using the facility test negative for the E coli strain.
Three other children were also hospitalized but soon released without any serious complications. Other 22 children and four adults were tested and six were found positive for e. coli O157:H7, but no symptoms had shown up.
E coli bacteria are mostly harmless, but E. coli o157:H7 can cause symptoms including abdominal cramps, fever, bloody diarrhea, kidney failure, blindness, paralysis and even death. Young children, elderly people and those who have had their immunity compromised like cancer patients and HIV carriers are at high risk of severe complications from the infection.
E coli poisoning is often caused by consuming tainted foods and beverages like alfalfa sprouts, unpasteurized fruit juices, dry-cured salami, lettuce, game meat, and cheese curds.
But Washington health officials said the source of the current E coli outbreak remains unidentified.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends the following to prevent an infection caused by E coli O157:H7:
1) Cook all ground beef or hamburger thoroughly and make sure the inner temperature in the meat reaches 160 degrees F when the cooking is done as measured with a digital instant-read meat thermometer;
2) Consume only pasteurized milk and milk products. Avoid raw milk;
3) Consume only pasteurized fruit juices and ciders;
4) Practice good hygiene.
Experts advise everyone washes hands thoroughly using soap and water before meals and after using the toilet. To make sure you spend enough time washing your hands by singing "happy birthday to you" twice.
By David Liu
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