November 18, 2008

The Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care is investigating E. coli outbreaks that have the same DNA fingerprint in four local public health units. The ministry is coordinating the investigation because it involves multiple health units.

Listed below is the updated number of cases for each of the four public health units, as of Tuesday, November 18, 2008 :

• The source (or sources) of E. coli has not yet been confirmed. Ministry and health unit investigators - along with the Canadian Food Inspection Agency - are investigating whether the outbreaks are linked to romaine lettuce.
• It's important to wash fresh fruits and vegetables with clean running water to remove any surface dirt, sand and harmful organisms. Soaking in a big bowl of water is not recommended.
• Products that have been labelled as pre-washed should be washed again at home.
• Laboratory testing has determined that cases in the four health units have the same DNA fingerprint.
• There are about 350 cases of E. coli O157:H7 each year in Ontario.

Find out more information about E. coli.

Find out about laboratory testing for E. coli.

Read more about cases in Niagara, Halton, Waterloo and Guelph.

For public inquiries call ServiceOntario, INFOline at 1-866-532-3161 (Toll-free in Ontario only)

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