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Does watching the news make you nervous about what you eat? With outbreaks of norovirus on cruise ships and E. coli being found in spinach and tacos, many people have become sick. In the E. coli cases, some have even died.
What is E. coli?
E. coli infection comes from bacteria found in the intestines of livestock and in human feces. Most E. coli infections are caused by undercooked beef. E. coli bacteria can also be found in leafy vegetables, like spinach. In the Taco Bell® case, green onions were found to be the culprit. E. coli is contagious and can be passed from one person to another when hands aren't properly washed after using the bathroom. It can also result from eating improperly washed produce.
What is a norovirus?
Norovirus, also known as Norwalk virus, is usually caused by eating contaminated food or drinking contaminated water. Norovirus infection usually begins with vomiting and diarrhea, and often occurs in large outbreaks. In the most recent cruise ship outbreak, a passenger infected with norovirus probably brought it on board the ship. Besides eating contaminated food, you can also catch it from contact with someone else who has it or by touching an item handled by that person.
There is a risk of infection anywhere food is served if it is prepared under unsanitary conditions. Ready-to-eat cold foods - such as salads, sandwiches and raw seafood - also present a risk. There have been large outbreaks of norovirus in places where people live in closed quarters, such as hotels, camps and cruise ships.
How can you avoid these illnesses?
When dining out or traveling:
- Don't be afraid to send your meal back. If you order something that should be served hot, make sure it's hot. If you order something that's supposed to be served cold, make sure it's cold. Otherwise, there may be something wrong with it.
- If you order chicken or pork, make sure the meat is white and that the juices run clear. If you order ground beef, make sure the meat isn't red or pink. Steak and roast should be served hot.
- Check out the salad bar to see if it's well maintained. See if there are spills, if the plates are clean and if everything is cold. If not, don't eat anything from it.
- Use common sense. If a restaurant has dirty bathrooms, floors or tables, chances are the kitchen will be dirty, too. Don't eat there.
- If you are traveling with someone who is ill, clean contaminated surfaces with bleach. Wash soiled clothing promptly and dry at high heat. Wash your hands frequently. People with noroviruses are often confined when traveling on cruise ships to prevent the spread of infection.
When at home:
- Wash your hands frequently with soap and warm water.
- Cook ground beef thoroughly. Ground beef can turn brown before disease-causing bacteria are killed, so use a meat thermometer to ensure that it's cooked through.
- Avoid the spread of bacteria in your kitchen. Keep raw meat separate from ready-to-eat foods. Wash hands, counters, and utensils with hot soapy water after they touch raw meat.
- Wash fruits and vegetables under running water. Bacteria are sticky, so washing may not remove all contamination. Remove the outer leaves of leafy vegetables.
- Make sure anyone with diarrhea washes his or her hands carefully with soap after bowel movements. After changing soiled diapers, wash your hands thoroughly.
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