Fwd Burger disease warning issued in Canada

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Fwd Burger disease warning issued in Canada

 

'Burger disease' warning issued-----------------------

The Alberta, Canada government is warning people to turn up the

sizzle as barbecue season heads into high gear and cases of _E. coli_

O157 rise. " We're approaching the prime season. People are cooking

in the open air on their barbecue, " Alberta Health spokesman David

Dear said yesterday. " You'll see a rise (in _E. coli_ O157 cases) in

summer months. "

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA), in collaboration with

Alberta Health and Wellness and other provincial agencies, is

currently investigating an increase in cases of _E. coli_ disease,

also sometimes known as " hamburger disease. " The bacteria has

affected people in British Columbia, Quebec, possibly Saskatchewan, and

Alberta.

Wild Rose country in Alberta has seen 12 cases linked to the current

CFIA investigation - 2 in the Capital Health region, 8 in the Calgary

Health region, 1 in the David Thompson Health region that covers the

Red Deer area, and 1 in the Chinook Health region that includes Lethbridge.

Authorities aren't sure yet about the source of the bacteria but know

the cases are linked because of testing. " They suspect ground beef

as the source, " said Dear, adding he doesn't know if the spread of

the bacteria has anything to do with tainted meat. " It's too early to tell. "

_E. coli_ O157 bacteria produce a toxin that damages the lining of

the intestine, producing diarrhea and pain and sometimes causing

kidney damage. Most people recover within 2 weeks. In rare cases,

the bacteria can cause death. The bacteria can be found in raw and

undercooked meat, particularly beef.[byline: Dan Palmer]--ProMED-mail

<promed

[infections due to _E. coli_ O157:H7 are usually directly or

indirectly related to exposure to cattle or beef. Examples of

infections acquired indirectly include from a petting zoo and from

unpasteurized apple juice made from fruit collected in a cow pasture.

Because ground beef is a product of many cows as compared to a steak

from a single animal, the risk of acquisition of infection is

probably significantly higher. It is therefore very important to

emphasize that, in this season of increased outdoor barbecues,

adequate cooking of the hamburger will prevent infection even if the

meat is contaminated. - Mod.LL]