San Rafael, CA – The Marin County Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is investigating three confirmed and one presumptive case of Escherichia coli O157, a contagious bacterial infection in Marin residents.
Marin public health authorities are working with the California Department of Public Health to gather information from clinicians and patients to determine whether the cases might be linked to cases outside of Marin or share a common source.
While no definitive source has been identified, three of the four affected people reside in Tiburon and were likely exposed between Sept. 11-15. The other person was from Inverness. There have been no new documented cases since then. Marin HHS and Environmental Health Services are investigating whether there is a common causal link among the cases.
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E. coli infection usually occurs by eating foods containing the bacteria, and the people most at risk for serious illness are children and older adults or others living with weakened immune systems.
Residents are reminded to follow good food hygiene practices, including washing hands with soap and water after changing diapers, using the bathroom and before preparing food or eating. Safe food-handling includes cooking meats thoroughly and washing hands, counters, cutting boards and utensils after touching raw meat. Anyone experiencing symptoms of E. coli infection, which can include abdominal cramps and diarrhea (sometimes bloody), should visit a doctor.
