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EXTENSION REPORT
Baldwin County Extension Office
302A Byrne Street
Bay Minette, AL 36507
Amelia McGrew
Regional Extension Agent
Food Safety, Preparation, & Preservation
May 13, 2008
The Harmful Risks of an E. coli Infection
Escherichia coli O157:H7 is a leading cause of food borne illness. This fact is evidenced through the increasing number of food recalls and food borne illness outbreaks which have been associated with this bacterium. According to the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention, approximately 73,000 cases of infection and 61 deaths occur in the United States each year. This occurrence should be a reminder to consumers that bacterial contamination is always a possibility when any raw product is involved.
Infection with E. coli usually leads to stomach cramps and diarrhea, which may eventually become bloody. Occasionally, severe cases which mostly affect our young and old population can result in hemolytic uremic syndrome or kidney failure. Fortunately, most people with HUS recover completely, but consequences can still be fatal.
E. coli has been associated with raw or undercooked ground beef, sheep, pigs, goats, poultry, and game meat and more recently contaminated produce. Other known sources of infection are consumption of sprouts, unpasteurized milk and juice, and by swimming or drinking sewage contaminated water. However, infection is mostly caused by consumption of undercooked or raw meats. Only small amounts of this bacterium are needed to make people sick. Once eaten, it produces toxins in the intestines, which cause the illness.
Consumers should know that this infection can be prevented. It is critical to cook food thoroughly, avoid spreading bacteria in your kitchen, drink only pasteurized juice, wash hands carefully before preparing or eating food and wash fruits and vegetables under running water. If you come into contact with farm animals, it is extremely important to wash hands carefully and use potable water for washing fruits and vegetables.
Infection with E. coli O157:H7 can only be diagnosed by a special stool culture that is not performed in all laboratories, so check with your physician.
For more information related to E. coli and food safety education programs, you may contact Amelia McGrew, Regional Extension Agent at (251) 574-8445.
Alabama In Motion (AIM)
Teams and individuals in Baldwin County have been logging their miles for the annual Alabama in Motion (AIM) program. This eight week fitness program encourages individuals to get moving for their health. This year the teams we have had participating are: Gateswood Oldsters, Go-Getters, Hi Steppers, Honey Bees, Slow Motion, Starfish I, Starfish 2 and Turtle Trotters. We also have had an afterschool program participating as well. A total of 5255 miles were walked this year.
In the individual division, the persons walking the most miles were: Paula Ross, 355 miles, Jean Fontaine, 282 miles and Don Wenzel, 188 miles. The teams walking the most miles were: 1st place-Starfish 2, 1273 miles; 2nd place-Turtle Trotters, 747 miles; 3rd Place-Go Getters, 492 miles; and 4th Place– Hi Steppers, 449 miles.
The persons on teams with the most miles walked included: Joy Richter-510 miles, Doris Brantley-289 miles, Cindy Tallman-274 miles, MaryAnn Fuglestad-258 miles, and Jerrie Millican-231miles.
Special thanks to our team captains, participants, and sponsors! If you would like to participate in next year’s AIM program, please contact Susan Wingard at 937-7176 or 943-5611/928-0860, ext. 2222.
Upcoming Program
There will be an Estate Planning Workshop at the Foley Senior Center on May 20 from 9:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. To register or for more information, call the Baldwin County Extension Office at 937-7176 or 943-5611/928-0860, ext. 2222
Email address: mcgreaj@aces.edu
Phone number: (251) 574-8445
Issued in furtherance of Cooperative Extension work in agriculture and home economics, Acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, and other related acts, in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The Alabama Cooperative Extension System (Alabama A&M University and Auburn University) offers educational programs, materials, and equal opportunity employment to all people without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, age, veteran status, or disability.
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