Update: Wednesday 3:20 p.m.: E. coli Investigation Continues
November 12, 2008 - Campus Bulletin
Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Health is not reporting any new confirmed cases of E. coli. The number of confirmed E. coli cases remain at five, but it's following a number of probable cases and is expanding its investigation to all of Wellington-Dufferin county. Updated information is available on the Public Health web site.
The strain, identified as E. coli 0157, has been linked to other outbreaks in the Halton, Niagara and Waterloo regions.
All five confirmed cases are U of G students. The University is deeply concerned for the health of those who have become ill and continues to take this situation very seriously.
Last week, the University voluntarily closed the UC Pita Pit after it was learned the ill students had eaten there. It will remain closed until Public Health completes its investigation.
Saturday, the University stopped serving all lettuce on campus as a precautionary measure.
Public Health has yet to identify a source, but says the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency are investigating lettuce as part of their provincial investigation.
U of G was first told that Public Health was investigating an E. coli outbreak on campus Nov. 6.
Public Health continues to focus on a contact period of between Oct. 21 and today. Symptoms can develop anywhere from 12 hours or as long as three to 10 days after infection.
The University is in regular contact with Public Health and will be following its lead and direction. Our course of action will be determined by the health agency's recommendations.
Some people infected with E. coli may have mild diarrhea or no symptoms at all. Most identified cases develop severe bloody diarrhea that appears red or black, abdominal cramps, nausea and/or vomiting.
If you or any of your family members currently have or recently experienced any of these symptoms, please call Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Health at 519-846-2715 or 1-800-265-7293, Ext. 2673.
For more information visit the Public Health website. Information on E. coli is also available by visiting the University's Food Safety Network website or by calling the network's toll free phone line at 1-866-503-7638.
The University has also developed a website for frequently asked questions regarding the outbreak.
This web page will be updated as new information becomes available.
