EIP Main Page

Campylobacter

Listeria

Salmonella

Shigella

Vibrio

Yersinia

Cryptosporidia

Cyclospora

E. coli O157:H7

Escherichia coli O157:H7 is a Shiga toxin producing bacterium that can cause illness ranging from mild intestinal illness to severe kidney complications. Other Shiga toxin producing serotypes (e.g. O111 and O26) are also in the family of enterohemorrhagic E. coli and can cause similar disease. Typical symptoms include severe abdominal cramping, sudden onset of watery diarrhea, frequently bloody, and sometimes vomiting and a low-grade fever. Most often symptoms begin 3-4 days after exposure and the illness is mild and self-limited, generally lasting 1-3 days. However, serious complications can occur, for example, hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) in children and post-diarrheal thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) in adults.

View a fact sheet on Shiga toxin producing E. coli (STEC)

E. coli O157:H7  in Colorado

Rates of E. coli O157:H7 Infection by Age Group: Denver Metropolitan Area

• 2005
• 2004
• 2003
• 2002
• 2001

Rates of E. coli O157:H7  Infection by County: Denver Metropolitan Area

• 2005
• 2004
• 2003
• 2002
• 2001

• E. coli O157:H7 Hospitalizations, Denver Metro Area 2001

• How can I avoid E. coli O157:H7?

• Do I need a food thermometer?

• FoodNet publications on E. coli O157:H7