HOLLAND, MI (WHTC AM/FM) – The Ottawa County Department of Public Health is alerting the public to increasing cases of shiga-toxin producing E. coli (STEC) infections in the community.
The Department says they are currently monitoring nine cases of STEC, which is significantly higher than the typical number of cases reported at this time of the year. The Department is working with the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development and the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services to investigate possible links between the cases.
Four of the nine cases have been hospitalized for their symptoms.
In a release from the department, they say STEC is a pathogenic form of Escherichia coli (E. coli) that is often associated with foodborne outbreaks. E. coli bacteria normally live in the intestines of people and animals. Most types of E. coli are harmless and are an important part of a healthy human intestinal tract. However, some types of E. coli are pathogenic, meaning they can cause illness.
The types of E. coli that cause illness can be transmitted through contaminated water or food, or through contact with animals or persons.
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