Escherichia coli O157:H7 (E. coli O157)

E. coli O157:H7 is one of hundreds of strains of the bacterium Escherichia coli. Although most strains are harmless and live in the intestines of healthy humans and animals, this strain produces a powerful toxin and can cause severe illness.

Approximately 160 to 220 cases of E. coli O157:H7 are reported in Minnesota each year.

Fact Sheets

• E. coli O157:H7 and HUS Fact Sheet (PDF)
  Answers to frequently asked questions about E. coli O157:H7 and the complication Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome (HUS). 
   
• CDC: Escherichia coli
  Answers to some common questions about E. coli.

Symptoms

• Common symptoms include:
  • severe bloody diarrhea
  • abdominal cramps
  • little or no fever
• Other symptoms may include:
  • nonbloody diarrhea
  • or no symptoms at all.
     
• Symptoms usually begin 2-5 days after infection (range, 1 to 8 days).

Duration of Illness

• The illness usually resolves in 5 to 10 days. 

Complications

• Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome develops in about 5% of reported E. coli O157:H7 cases, most frequently in young children or the elderly.

Transmission

• Many illnesses have been associated with eating undercooked, contaminated ground beef.
• Produce items (e.g., lettuce, sprouts) can be contaminated through contact with cattle feces in the field.
• Person-to-person contact in families and childcare centers is also a common mode of transmission.
• Infection can also occur after drinking raw milk and after swimming in or drinking water contaminated by farm animals, usually cattle.

Do you suspect that you have a foodborne or waterborne illness? Visit reporting suspected foodborne/waterborne illnesses.