Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) is a group of E. coli bacteria that produce toxins causing severe foodborne illness. Common in animal intestines (especially cattle), STEC causes symptoms like bloody diarrhea, stomach cramps, and vomiting 3–4 days after exposure. Infection often results from consuming contaminated food, raw milk, or undercooked meat.

What does STEC stand for?

Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) is the term used to refer to a group of E. coli bacteria that produce powerful toxins, which can cause severe illness. Most cases in North America are caused by E.

What are the symptoms of STEC?

Symptoms of STEC infection include diarrhoea, stomach pain, nausea, vomiting and fever. Humans can be infected with STEC by having close contact with farm animals, eating undercooked beef, drinking unpasteurised milk or drinking or swimming in contaminated water.

What is the most common source of STEC?

Cattle are the most common reservoir of STEC; although sheep, deer, goats and other ruminants can carry the bacteria. A major source of exposure has been contaminated undercooked ground beef, but other foods have also been implicated, including unpasteurized milk and juice; and contaminated raw fruits and vegetables.

What is the difference between E. coli and STEC?

Sometimes STEC is referred to a Verocytotoxin-producing E Coli (VTEC). These are different names for the same group of bacteria.

Food Poisoning: Shiga Toxin-Producing E. coli

How do people get STEC?

STEC infection is spread through the fecal→oral route. People can become ill with STEC by eating contaminated food (especially undercooked meats and leafy greens); drinking or swimming in contaminated water; or having contact with animals or their feces, such as at a petting zoo or farm.

What food is most commonly linked to STEC?

Foods Implicated

The most frequently known outbreaks of STEC bacteria are associated with fecal contaminated meats in slaughterhouses. However, it is also associated with contaminated water, raw or unpasteurized milk, unpasteurized juice or apple cider, raw vegetables, and undercooked beef, poultry, venison, and lamb.

How to get rid of STEC?

Most people infected with STEC typically feel better in 5 to 10 days and usually recover with fluids and rest. It is recommended to avoid antibiotics and antidiarrheal medicines, such as Imodium®, because they can prolong or worsen symptoms.

What is another name for STEC?

Verotoxigenic Escherichia coli (VTEC), also termed Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC), is a human pathogen transmitted by food, water, animals, and their environment, and from one person to another [1].

How can STEC be prevented?

Minimizing Your Risk. Wash hands after using the bathroom and changing diapers, and before handling or eating any food. Make sure that persons with diarrhea, especially children, wash their hands carefully and frequently with soap to reduce the risk of spreading the infection.

Where can you get STEC?

People become infected with STEC through eating or drinking contaminated food or water or through contact with animals, environments, or other people. Infection most typically occurs by eating contaminated food, particularly raw or undercooked meat.

Can you treat STEC with antibiotics?

There is no treatment for STEC infection. Antibiotics do not help and may even be harmful by causing the release of more toxin.

How serious is STEC?

STEC infection can lead to a serious, life-threatening disease called hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). HUS causes damage to red blood cells and causes a person's kidneys to fail, which can result in death. Young children and older adults are most likely to get HUS from STEC infection.

How long is a person contagious with STEC?

People are infectious for as long as they excrete STEC in their stool. The duration of excretion is typically one week or less in adults but up to three weeks in one third of children. The infectious dose for STEC is very low.

How do you diagnose STEC?

Bacteriological investigation is the gold standard for the diagnosis of STEC infections. Other intestinal pathogens that can cause diarrhea, such as Salmonella, Shigella, Campylobacter, Yersinia, and Clostridioides difficile, should be excluded by fecal culture.

What bacteria cannot be killed by cooking?

Fact: Some bacteria, such as staphylococcus (staph) and Bacillus cereus, produce toxins not destroyed by high cooking temperatures. Refrigerate perishable foods within 2 hours in a refrigerator temperature of 40 degrees or below. Myth: Freezing foods kills harmful bacteria that can cause foodborne illness.

Can STEC be killed by cooking?

STEC can grow in temperatures ranging from 7 °C to 50 °C, with an optimum temperature of 37 °C. Some STEC can grow in acidic foods, down to a pH of 4.4, and in foods with a minimum water activity (aW) of 0.95. STEC is destroyed by thorough cooking of foods until all parts reach a temperature of 70 °C or higher.

How is STEC caused?

STEC is carried by animals, such as cattle. People are infected when they come into contact with the faeces of an infected animal or person, either directly or indirectly. STEC is spread through: consuming contaminated food (e.g. undercooked burgers, unwashed salad vegetables, and unpasteurised milk or milk products)

What are the 10 riskiest foods right now?

The data are from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Food and Drug Administration, and the Department of Agriculture.

• Deli Meat. Bacteria: Listeria, salmonella. ...
• Cucumbers. Bacteria: Salmonella. ...
• Raw Milk, Raw Milk Cheese. Bacteria: E. ...
• Cotija and Queso Fresco Cheese. ...
• Eggs. ...
• Onions. ...
• Leafy Greens. ...
• Organic Carrots.

What food has E. coli at McDonald's?

HealthDay News — US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) officials have uncovered dozens of violations at a McDonald's supplier tied to last year's deadly E. coli outbreak, which sickened over 100 people and led to a massive recall of onions used in the fast-food giant's signature Quarter Pounder burgers.

What should I not eat if I have E. coli?

Drink plenty of clear liquids, including water, clear sodas and broths, gelatin, and juices. Avoid apple and pear juices, caffeine, and alcohol. Avoid certain foods. Dairy products, fatty foods, high-fiber foods or highly seasoned foods can make symptoms worse.

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