How To Prevent Food Poisoning
About Virulent O-157 Bacteria
(Entero-pathogenic Strain of Escherichia Coli)
Summer is the time when food poisoning is rampant. Last year we were witnessing an outbreak of the virulent O-157 strain of the E.coli bacteria throughout Japan. Cases, mainly contracted at home, have also been reported in this year, some of them serious.
The disease caused by O-157 is a diarrhea that starts as watery stool and later tends to become bloody. Especially protect infants as the toxin produced by the bacteria may cause serious kidney and brain damage. Take the following protective measures to prevent infections.
1) Immediately consult a doctor for the symptoms of diarrhea. Avoid getting the patient's stool on your hands, and from your hands into your mouth. Disinfect with 70% alcohol or disinfectant soap. Also avoid sharing a bath with a patient.
2) O-157 is easily destroyed by heat. It dies if kept at 75deg.C(centigrade) for one minute. Therefore, make sure to cook your food well.
3) O-157 may also be present in the dung of domestic animals. Avoid eating raw meat.
4) If you are drinking well water, sterilize it by boiling or other means.
5) O-157 is considered to be equally infectious and toxic as the dysentery bacillus. Prevent secondary infections by frequently washing your hands under running water. Also keep your dishes and cooking utensils clean and sterilize them.