Symptoms of E. coli bacteria are seen in the form of stomach pain and vomiting. Which spreads through consumption of spoiled or rotten food items. Especially from canned or packaged fruits and vegetables. Which are stored with preservatives for months.
One person has died and 15 are hospitalized due to an outbreak of E.coli infection caused by organic carrots in the US. Since then, American health agencies have issued a food safety alert. It has instructed all brands to review their products. E. coli bacteria are actually spread through sewage from spoiled food products. Which can spread in any season and due to any product. At present, this bacteria spread due to carrots is raising concerns. Let us know everything about the symptoms, causes, prevention measures and treatment of E-coli bacteria (E-coli outbreak linked with carrot).
Before carrot, E. coli bacteria has also spread through onion (E. coli bacteria linked with carrot and onion).
According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, symptoms of fever, diarrhea and stomach pain were found in people after consuming carrots. However, before organic carrots, a case of chopped onions in McDonald’s Quarter Pounders was also reported last month. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention has issued a statement informing that E. coli infection has been reported from 18 states of America after eating carrots. Due to this 40 people are ill. Most of the cases of infection have spread from organic carrots sold by Grimway Farms. This is a big farm that supplies carrots to most of the stores in America.
What is E. coli bacteria?
Escherichia coli or E. coli is a bacterium that lives in the intestines. Which is one of the most common causes of foodborne disease in the United States. There are many species of E. coli, some of which are harmless or cause mild symptoms, such as nausea, fatigue, and increased diarrhea. While some may also cause serious health problems.
How E. coli bacteria spreads
Usually this bacteria spreads through feces. Due to this, food items and water become infected and bacteria start growing. Often the microorganisms present in vegetables die after cooking them, but they remain intact when raw vegetables are eaten. Due to this, they go into the stomach and increase the problem of pain and diarrhea.
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Symptoms of E. coli bacteria
According to the report of Cleveland Clinic, 2,50,000 people in America suffer from E-coli every year. But among the people affected by this infection, severity is found only in 10 percent of the cases.
- There is a feeling of nausea and vomiting
- There is severe pain in the stomach and a feeling of pressure.
- Diarrhea starts and in severe cases bloody diarrhea occurs.
- Feeling tired and weak, problem of dehydration persists.
- loss of appetite and dry mouth
- persistence of fever in the body
If symptoms become severe, they can cause bloody diarrhea. Apart from this, one has to face kidney failure which is called hemolytic uremic syndrome, high blood pressure and neurological diseases.
Is there any risk in India? (E.coli bacteria risk in India)
Dietician Dr. Aditi Sharma says that the prevalence of packaged vegetables is increasing day by day in India too. Vegetables stored in plastic packets come in contact with synthetic materials. Due to this, artificial chemicals react and due to lack of oxygen, germs start growing. Due to this, organic vegetables get spoiled easily. According to experts, it is never advisable to store food items in packets. Be it carrot, radish, coriander leaves or any other vegetable. Use airtight packets to store it in the refrigerator. Apart from this, take a ventilated vessel, which maintains the oxygen level. Store fruits and vegetables only after washing them.
How to avoid the risk of E. coli bacteria
Dr. Aditi Sharma, Head of Nutrition and Dietetics at Manipal Hospital Ghaziabad, says that vegetables should be washed 3 to 4 times in open water. Apart from this, it is advisable to wash packaged vegetables and cook them in lukewarm water. This can prevent the increasing effects of harmful bacteria and pesticides on the body.
1 Wash with lukewarm water
First of all, wash the vegetables by putting them in lukewarm salt water. This cleans the outer layer. You can soak it in water for 10 to 15 minutes. Now after peeling it, cut it into pieces or prepare the vegetable. If you want to eat raw, then wash again after peeling.
2 Use open utensils for washing
To avoid E. Kali, wash the vegetables by putting them in an open vessel. With this, the bacteria accumulated on the surface of the vegetable can be easily removed. After washing, keep the vegetables on a strainer to dry. This reduces wetness
3 use clean water
Use only clean water to wash vegetables before cooking them. This can prevent the increase in the level of bad bacteria in the body. Wash vegetables 2 to 3 times before cooking.
4 Do not use packaged vegetables
Avoid using packaged vegetables. Apart from this, the life of organic things is less. Use of packets increases the risk of contamination. Apart from this, temperature also plays a big role. Apart from this, there remains a risk of infection.
All packaged carrots withdrawn from the market
Following this incident, Grimmway Farms has recalled several sizes and brands of packaged carrots. The outbreak of this problem is spread in 18 states of America from California to New York. Texas, South Carolina, Pennsylvania, Michigan, Colorado and many other states are vulnerable to this infection. Apart from vomiting and diarrhea, many serious symptoms are also seen in many people suffering from E. coli. Usually, this problem gets relief in 3 to 4 days.
