State health officials said Saturday that a number of people in Stephens County have been infected with E.coli.
District 2 Public Health spokesman Dave Palmer confirmed that no source has been identified as the cause of the outbreak that sickened at least seven, although several people have been hospitalized.
The state is interviewing those infected to track what and where they’ve eaten in attempt to find common patterns.
Palmer said all those infected are recovering.
E. coli infections usually manifest two or three days after exposure although symptoms may not start for up to seven days. Symptoms can include cramps and diarrhea. Palmer said anyone suffering from diarrhea for more than two days should seek medical attention.
Palmer reminds people to practice good hand-washing and hygiene, and to cook meat properly.
People should take preventive measures to avoid the organism, such as thoroughly washing raw vegetables, cooking meat the proper temperature and, if swimming in a lake or pool, avoiding swallowing water.
One area Palmer encourages people to exercise care in is surfaces where uncooked meat has been. Those surfaces - whether counters, plates, cutting boards - should be carefully sanitized after the meat is removed.
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