Meat Industry INSIGHTS Newsletter

971015 E. Coli Sickens About 20 Students

October 6, 1997

PARKERSBURG, Iowa - An E. coli outbreak that may have been caused by food from a high school cafeteria has sickened nearly 20 students.

"It does seem to be school-based," Kevin Teale, spokesman for the state Department of Public Health, said Monday. "It does not seem to be anything in the community, like a restaurant or a grocery store."

Close to 20 students at Aplington-Parkersburg High School have gotten sick since Sept. 28 with symptoms consistent with E. coli contamination, Principal Everett Jensen said. Three were hospitalized for dehydration caused by diarrhea, and have been released.

Tests on the first three cases confirmed Monday that E. coli was present. The school has 309 students.

Authorities were checking to see whether the food was served at the cafeteria or at a pep rally, a party or some other event attended by students.

E. coli bacteria are present in the digestive tract of animals and are sometimes found in meat. The most virulent strain causes diarrhea, cramps and dehydration and can be fatal to the very young, the elderly and those with weak immune systems.

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