E. coli
E. coli (Escherichia coli) are bacteria found in intestines. While most strains are harmless, some cause severe food poisoning with bloody diarrhea. The most dangerous strain, E. coli O157:H7, produces toxins causing kidney failure, especially in children.
What is E. coli?
Most E. coli strains are part of healthy gut flora. However, Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC), particularly O157:H7, cause approximately 265,000 illnesses annually in the U.S. About 5-10% of diagnosed cases develop hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a life-threatening kidney condition. Undercooked ground beef, contaminated produce, and unpasteurized dairy are common sources.
Symptoms
- Severe stomach cramps
- Diarrhea (often bloody)
- Vomiting
- Mild fever (usually <101°F)
- Symptoms last 5-10 days
- HUS warning signs: Decreased urination, extreme fatigue, pale skin, bruising
Transmission
Eating contaminated food (ground beef, raw produce, unpasteurized dairy); contaminated water; person-to-person (poor hygiene); contact with infected animals
Contagious Period: While bacteria present in stool (can persist weeks after recovery); requires good hygiene
Prevention
- Cook ground beef to 160°F (use food thermometer)
- Avoid raw milk, unpasteurized juice, and raw cookie dough
- Wash hands thoroughly after bathroom, changing diapers, before preparing food
- Wash fruits and vegetables under running water
- Avoid cross-contamination (separate raw meat from produce)
- Don't swallow water when swimming in lakes, pools, or water parks
- Keep children with diarrhea out of swimming areas and daycare
- Avoid preparing food for others when ill
Active Outbreaks & Recent Cases
Real-time intelligence from global health monitoring and AI-powered surveillance
Data sources: BEACON, ProMED, WHO, CDC, and 50+ national health agencies
No Active Outbreaks Detected
Our AI-powered surveillance hasn't detected significant E. coli activity in the past 30 days.
Real-time monitoring continues 24/7 across BEACON, ProMED, WHO, CDC, and 50+ global health agencies
What This Means
Currently, E. coli case counts are within baseline expectations globally. However, diseases can emerge rapidly, which is why continuous monitoring is critical.
Stay Prepared
Download the Virus Watcher app to get instant alerts if E. coli activity increases in your region or travel destinations.
Prevention Remains Important
Even without active outbreaks, understanding E. coli prevention helps protect you and your community:
- Cook ground beef to 160°F (use food thermometer)
- Avoid raw milk, unpasteurized juice, and raw cookie dough
- Wash hands thoroughly after bathroom, changing diapers, before preparing food
- Wash fruits and vegetables under running water
- Avoid cross-contamination (separate raw meat from produce)
- Don't swallow water when swimming in lakes, pools, or water parks
- Keep children with diarrhea out of swimming areas and daycare
- Avoid preparing food for others when ill
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Expert Resources & References
Trusted information from leading health organizations
WHO
Global disease surveillance and guidelines from the World Health Organization
View WHO Resources →Medically Reviewed Content
Disease information on Virus Watcher is reviewed by our Chief Epidemiologist, a former CDC lead analyst for FluSight forecasting. Outbreak data is aggregated from verified sources including BEACON, ProMED, WHO, CDC, and 50+ national health agencies. This information is for educational purposes and should not replace professional medical advice.
Last reviewed: 2026-03-05
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about E. coli answered by our epidemiology team
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