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. 2017 Jul 6;43(7-8):154-155.
doi: 10.14745/ccdr.v43i78a03.

An outbreak of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli O121 infections associated with flour-Canada, 2016-2017†

V Morton  1 , J M Cheng  1 , D Sharma  2 , A Kearney  3
Affiliations

An outbreak of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli O121 infections associated with flour-Canada, 2016-2017†

V Morton et al. Can Commun Dis Rep. .

Abstract

As of May 23, 2017, 29 cases of a new Escherichia coli O121 infection have been identified in six provinces (Alberta, British Columbia, Newfoundland and Labrador, Ontario, Quebec and Saskatchewan) linked with the consumption of uncooked flour. One additional case was identified in a U.S. resident who traveled to Canada during the exposure period. Patients' ages ranged from 2-79 years (median = 23.5 years) and 50% were female. Eight patients were hospitalized, and one developed hemolytic uremic syndrome. Because of the recent emergence of E. coli outbreaks linked to flour, public health professionals should consider flour as a possible source in E. coli outbreaks and communicate the risk associated with flour and raw batter/dough exposure in public health messaging.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of interest: None.

Figures

Figure
Figure. Number of confirmed cases of Escherichia coli O121 (n=30)1, by week of symptom onset —Canada, November 2016–April 2017
1 One case occurred in a U.S. resident who traveled to Canada during the exposure period
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

    1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Multistate outbreak of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli infections linked to flour (final update). Atlanta, GA: US Department of Health and Human Services, CDC; 2016. Available from: https://www.cdc.gov/ecoli/2016/o121-06-16/
    1. Canadian Food Inspection Agency. Canadian Food Inspection Agency’s (CFIA) investigation into E. coli O121 in flour and flour products. Mississauga, Canada: CFIA; 2017. Available from: http://www.inspection.gc.ca/food/information-for-consumers/food-safety-i...