[Press Release] : FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Fifth Case of E. coli O157:H7 Confirmed in Boone County

[Press Releases]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Geni Alexander, PIO
573)874-7632 or (573)819-2813 or gaalexan at gocolumbiamo.com


Fifth Case of E. coli O157:H7 Confirmed in Boone County

COLUMBIA, MO (May 1, 2012) - The Missouri State Public Health Lab (SPHL) has confirmed an additional case of E. coli 0157:H7 in a Boone County resident, bringing Boone County's number of cases to five (5). Boone County's fifth case is an adult, over age 18, who did not require hospitalization. The following is an overview of Boone County's cases:

*The five cases range in age from 2-31 years old

*Two cases required hospitalization

*Two cases are in persons under 18 years of age

*All five cases consumed unpasteurized milk from the same Howard County farm. After extensive investigation, this remains the only known commonality among the cases.

The Columbia/Boone County Department of Public Health and Human Services continues to advise residents on the dangers of consuming unpasteurized dairy products. A March, 2012 report from the CDC's Journal of Emerging Infectious Diseases found that the rate of outbreaks caused by raw milk and products from it was 150 times greater than outbreaks linked to pasteurized milk. Persons interested in purchasing unpasteurized milk should consider home-pasteurization and be aware of the risks of consuming unpasteurized milk, especially in young children, the elderly, pregnant women and persons with compromised immune systems.


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