Health Center identifies more cases of E. coli strain in Southeast Missouri | Health

CAPE GIRARDEAU, MO (KFVS) - The Cape Girardeau County Public Health Center and the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services have identified an increase in the number of positive Shiga toxin E. coli cases across the Southeast region.

According to the health center, the strain has been identified as E. coli 0157:H7. They say currently there have been 10 reports of cases that may be related to a particular event or risk factor. The age distribution of cases is 16 months to 72 years and it appears that gender is split 50/50 among females and males. The health center says the counties of patient residence include:

• Cape Girardeau - 7 cases (2 confirmed, 5 suspect)
• Pemiscot - 1 case confirmed
• Stoddard - 1 case confirmed
• Perry - 1 case confirmed

The health center says four of the cases are PFGE matched, which means they are from a common source. They say they are working at this time to determine the source.

They ask that health providers forward any isolates positive for E. coli 0157:H7 to the Missouri State Public Health laboratory for further analysis. Suspect or confirmed cases should be reported promptly to the Cape Girardeau County Public Health Center at 573-335-7846.

For more information, you can contact Jane Wernsman or Vanessa Landers at the health center at 573-335-7846.

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