Investigation of Georgia E. coli
Georgia state and local health officials are investigating 3 cases of E. coli to determine if they are related. “All 3 cases involve E. coli 0157: H7,” says Saroyi Morris, Environmental Health Director of the Coastal Health District. “We’re now waiting on results of more sophisticated testing to see if these 3 people were infected by the same source. If we can determine where they got it, we can take steps to protect the community from further infection.”
“Our health agencies are investigating every possible source,” says Morris, “although we may never be able to definitively say where or how these three people became infected.” One possible source of the E. coli infections is ground beef. In the last few months, there has been a surge of recalls of beef (primarily ground beef). Outbreaks of E. coli infections associated with the recalled beef have surfaced in several states.
