Public Health Notice - E. coli O157:H7 illness related to cheese produced by Gort’s Gouda Cheese Farm

Updated 1 October 2013

This Notice has been updated to include one additional case of E.coli O157:H7 that has been linked to this investigation.

Why you should take note

The Public Health Agency of Canada, along with its health and food safety partners, is investigating 23 cases of E. coli O157:H7 illness; 11 in British Columbia, 9 in Alberta and 1 each in Saskatchewan, Manitoba and Quebec.

These individuals became ill between mid-July and mid-September. Most people who become ill from E.coli bacteria will recover within 5 to 10 days.

Certain contaminated cheese products manufactured by Gort’s Gouda Cheese Farm in Salmon Arm, British Columbia, have been identified as the source of the illnesses. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has issued a Health Hazard Alert warning the public not to consume the affected product. Should additional products be recalled as part of the ongoing food safety investigation, the CFIA will immediately inform the public.

There is currently no indication of widespread risk to Canadians. However, E. coli O157:H7 can pose a serious public health risk. Additional cases of illness may be identified and linked to this outbreak in the future.

Do not eat any of the recalled product. Check your refrigerator and if you have any of the recalled product in your home, return it to the point of purchase or throw it out.

For more information on the safe consumption of unpasteurized cheese products, please visit the Healthy Canadians website.

This Notice will be updated as new information becomes available.

Status

Investigations into outbreaks of food-borne illness can be complex. Since mid-September 2013, the Agency has been leading a committee that includes public health and food safety experts from the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, Health Canada and Provincial Ministries of Health and Health Authorities. The committee meets regularly to share and review the latest information and determine what actions should be taken to protect Canadians.

More information about the epidemiological investigation is also available.

Province / Territory	Total cases
British Columbia	11
Alberta	9
Saskatchewan	1
Manitoba	1
Quebec	1
Total	23

One of the cases in British Columbia has died as a result of E. coli O157:H7 infection. All other cases have recovered or are recovering.

E. coli O157 food-borne illnesses are not unexpected in Canada and no unusual increases in the number of these illnesses have been detected nationally. The Public Health Agency of Canada's National Enteric Surveillance Program shows that E.coli cases in Canada have been declining in recent years.

What you should do

Most strains of E. coli are harmless; however, some strains, such as E. coli O157:H7, can make people sick, causing severe stomach cramps, diarrhea and vomiting. Serious complications of an E. coli O157:H7 infection can include kidney failure.

If you think you are sick with an E. coli infection, consult a healthcare professional.

Symptoms of an E. coli O157:H7 infection

Like other food-borne illnesses, the symptoms of E. coli infection mainly involve the gut. Symptoms may vary from person to person; however, they often include:

• severe stomach cramps;
• diarrhea (often watery and may develop into bloody);
• vomiting; and
• fever (generally not very high-usually less than 38.5°C/101°F).

Symptoms usually last 5 to 10 days.

Overall, around 5 to 10 per cent of those who get sick from E. coli O157:H7 develop hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), an acute renal failure which can be fatal. Of those, children younger than five years old and the elderly are at greatest risk of developing HUS. Symptoms of HUS vary. Some people have seizures or strokes and some need blood transfusions and kidney dialysis. Others live with side effects such as permanent kidney damage.

Who is most at risk?

Infections can occur among people of all ages, however symptoms are likely to be more severe among the very young and the elderly. Pregnant women and people with weakened immune systems are also at high risk of developing serious complications.

How to protect yourself

Proper hygiene and safe food handling and preparation practices are key to preventing the spread of all food-borne illnesses, including E. coli.

Hand washing is one of the best ways to prevent the spread of food-borne illness.

General food safety

Everyone should practice these general food safety precautions at all times:

• Wash your hands before and after cooking;
• Keep knives, counters and cutting boards clean;
• Keep raw meats separate from other foods when you store them; and
• Refrigerate or freeze left-overs promptly.

Additional information

• The Canadian Food Inspection Agency's information about this investigation, including recalls
• The Public Health Agency of Canada's Epidemiological Information
• The Public Health Agency of Canada's E. coli O157:H7 fact sheet
• The Public Health Agency of Canada's Anatomy of a Foodborne Illness Outbreak
• The Public Health Agency of Canada's video series, Something you ate?
• The Government of Canada food safety web portal