Where does E.coli O157 come from?
The main source of infection is the intestine of healthy cattle, but it has also been found in the intestines of sheep, horses, farmed deer, goats, dogs, and wild birds. How does it spread? • Direct contact with infected animals, or their faeces • Eating undercooked meat • Drinking unpasteurised dairy products • Drinking water that is contaminated with animal faeces – this is more likely to occur with private supplies, or stream water • Eating unwashed/unpeeled fruit or vegetables that are contaminated with infected manure • Contact with the faeces of an infected person Only very small numbers of the bacteria are needed to cause illness. The incubation period, which is the time from first swallowing the bacteria to becoming ill, can range from 1 to 14 days, but is usually 3 to 4 days. Should I see my GP? You should consult your GP if one or more of the following applies to you: • there is blood in your diarrhoea • you have severe abdominal pain • the diarrhoea has lasted for 48 hours H
