What causes E. coli infection?
E. coli infection is caused by coming in contact with contaminated food or water. Therefore, conditions such as in the New Orleans area would be ripe for such an infection. Infection can also occur after swimming in or drinking sewage-contaminated water. Though unusual, previous outbreaks of E. coli have occurred at water parks where children have become ill from swimming in contaminated water as well as large gatherings where people have come in contact with contaminated food.
