Feds Launch Effort to Curb E. Coli Disease Outbreaks

September 17, 1999

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has launched a series of actions designed to help control the spread of St. Louis encephalitis and E. coli. New York City has been hit with the encephalitis outbreak, and Illinois and New York are trying to deal with two separate E. coli outbreaks.

St. Louis encephalitis is passed to humans by mosquitoes that are especially prevalent in wet areas. An average of 128 cases are reported annually. A severe infection is marked by headache, high fever, neck stiffness, stupor, disorientation, coma, tremors, occasional convulsions and spastic paralysis. No specific treatment exists.

Public health officials in New York City have identified 11 recent cases and three deaths due to the disease.

E. coli infections mostly are associated with eating undercooked, contaminated ground beef. Infection also can occur after drinking raw milk and swimming in or drinking water contaminated with sewage or animal waste.

Recent outbreaks in Illinois and New York have infected hundreds and been linked to two deaths in New York. The New York outbreak is due to water contamination. Illinois is studying the outbreak there to determine the mode of transmission.

CDC is providing laboratory support and working with the city and state to confirm independently the presence of encephalitis and accurately track the extent of the outbreak. CDC also is sending a team of scientists to provide support and is assisting New York City in implementing a safe, effective mosquito control program.

For the E. coli outbreak, two federal epidemic intelligence service officers form CDC are on site in New York and are providing technical assistance in Illinois. CDC also is providing laboratory support and working with the city and state to independently confirm the presence of the disease and accurately track the extent of the outbreak.