E. coli Suspected in English Outbreak
LONDON-The strain of bacteria E. coli 0157 was discovered in five confirmed cases in the village of Eccleston, some 200 miles northwest of London. More than 15 people have been hospitalized surrounding the potential outbreak as health officials hurry to determine a source of the infection.
Some of those who have fallen ill recently purchased meat at a local delicatessen. Since the owners of the Kwik Save supermarket in Eccleston have closed the deli counters and recalled all meat, cheese, fresh fruit, and vegetables purchased during the past few days.
The particular strain of E. coli is potentially fatal. Symptoms of infection include abdominal cramps, fever, and bloody diarrhea. Infection is usually caused from eating undercooked meat that is contaminated with the bacteria. It is also possible to become ill with E. coli after drinking tainted water or touching infected animals.
Information from www.sfgate.com
CDC Urges Vigilance: New Recommendations for Monitoring and Testing H5N1 Exposures
July 11th 2025With avian influenza A(H5N1) infections surfacing in both animals and humans, the CDC has issued updated guidance calling for aggressive monitoring and targeted testing to contain the virus and protect public health.
IP LifeLine: Layoffs and the Evolving Job Market Landscape for Infection Preventionists
July 11th 2025Infection preventionists, once hailed as indispensable during the pandemic, now face a sobering reality: budget pressures, hiring freezes, and layoffs are reshaping the field, leaving many IPs worried about their future and questioning their value within health care organizations.
A Helping Hand: Innovative Approaches to Expanding Hand Hygiene Programs in Acute Care Settings
July 9th 2025Who knew candy, UV lights, and a college kid in scrubs could double hand hygiene adherence? A Pennsylvania hospital’s creative shake-up of its infection prevention program shows that sometimes it takes more than soap to get hands clean—and keep them that way.
