Annual Probability of E. coli Infection

Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC), including the well-known O157:H7 strain, causes approximately 265,000 infections in the United States each year. Of these, about 3,600 require hospitalization and about 30 result in death. The incidence rate is approximately 1 in 4,000 people per year.

E. coli infections are most commonly transmitted through contaminated food (ground beef, raw milk, raw produce including lettuce and sprouts), contaminated water, and person-to-person contact in settings like daycares. Outbreaks are often linked to specific food products and can be widespread before the source is identified.

Most infections cause bloody diarrhea and abdominal cramps that resolve within 5-7 days. However, about 5-10% of STEC infections (particularly in children under 5 and the elderly) progress to hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a serious condition that can cause kidney failure. There is no specific treatment for STEC infections, and antibiotics are generally not recommended as they may increase the risk of HUS. Prevention includes thorough cooking of ground beef, avoiding raw milk, washing produce, and proper hand hygiene.