E. coli Outbreak, Uptick in Walking Pneumonia, and New Vaccine Recommendations
Three Things Thursday
Three Things Thursday highlights three things I am paying attention to as an epidemiologist each week. This week all (public health) eyes are focused on E.coli in Quarter Pounders, an uptick in pneumonia among kids, and additional vaccines available for older adults.
Before dying into the details of this week’s news, just a friendly reminder that respiratory virus season is in full swing. Currently —
If you haven’t gotten your seasonal vaccinations,
NOW is the time to schedule your influenza & COVID vaccinations.
This week’s three things —
Hoping this post helps to educate and empower you
to be healthy and create healthy communities.
E. coli Outbreak
There is currently a multistate investigation of E. coli 0157:H7 underway. As of Tuesday, 49 people in 10 different states were infected with this specific strain of E. coli. Among those infected 28 have detailed case information available — 10 have been hospitalized and 1 has developed a serious condition that can lead to kidney failure. Another individual (an older adult) in Colorado has died.
E. coli is a bacteria. the 0157:H7 strain causes a severe intestinal infection in humans. It is the most common strain to cause illness in people. It can be differentiated from other E. coli by the production of a potent toxin that damages the lining of the intestinal wall causing bloody diarrhea. It is also known as enterohemorrhagic E. coli infection.
Eighteen of the cases have been interviewed by epidemiologists to date, and ALL of them reported eating at McDonald’s before becoming sick. Sixteen of them ate a beef hamburger, and 12 ate a Quarter Pounder. A specific ingredient has NOT been identified as the source of infection.
McDonald’s has taken the Quarter Pounder off of its menu.
In a statement, the company said —
“We take food safety extremely seriously, and it’s the right thing to do.”
If you recently ate a Quarter Pounder (or anything at McDonald’s) and are experiencing symptoms such as — stomach cramps, bloody diarrhea, or vomiting — contact your healthcare provider or visit an emergency room right away.
Surge in Pneumonia Cases Among Kids
Infections of “walking pneumonia” have been spreading at unusually high levels among kids. The cause of the pneumonia is the bacteria Mycoplasma. It is spread by inhaling respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes. Most people with a mild infection will recover on their own without medicine. Over-the-counter medicines can help you feel better while you're recovering. Healthcare providers can use several types of antibiotics to treat people with pneumonia. Symptoms of walking pneumonia include fever, headache, and a slowly worsening cough.
“People with pneumonia caused by M. pneumoniae can seem better than expected for someone with a lung infection. With mild symptoms, people may not stay home or in bed. Thus, the phrase "walking pneumonia" was coined.”
Additionally, the CDC says —
“The increase in children ages 2–4 years is notable because M. pneumoniae historically hasn't been recognized as a leading cause of pneumonia in this age group.”
Parents, grandparents, teachers, and friends — please be aware of the increase in pneumonia. Kids with “walking pneumonia” should not be out walking around — they need to rest and they need to stay home to prevent the spread of disease to others.
Vaccine Updates for Adults
Yesterday ACIP (CDC’s vaccine advisory group) recommended a second COVID-19 vaccine dose for adults aged 65 and older and for younger adults who are immunocompromised. COVID vaccines should be spaced out six months apart. Get one now and another in the spring (before a summer surge).
According to STATNews —
“According to the CDC's latest data for the last respiratory disease season, 40% of adults ages 65 and older received one dose of the vaccine and 8.9% received a second dose, with second-dose levels higher in people in urban areas and in certain geographic regions. CDC experts told the group that a healthcare provider recommendation helped sway patients to receive a second dose.”
Additionally, yesterday the advisory group recommended that adults 50 and older should be vaccinated against pneumococcal disease.
According to CDC Director Dr. Mandy Cohen —
“Now is a great time to get vaccinated against pneumococcal disease in preparation for the winter respiratory season.”
To find out where you can get your COVID or pneumococcal vaccine, check out vaccine.gov.
Epi(demiology) Matters is written by Dr. Becky Dawson, PhD MPH — an epidemiologist, teacher, mom, wife, and dedicated yogi. She is a tenured professor at Allegheny College, Research Director at a community hospital, and an exclusive contributor (all things health & medicine) at Erie News Now (NBC/CBS). Her goal is to create healthy communities for all. She writes Epi Matters — first & foremost because epidemiology does matter (to all of us) and she hopes that each post will help to educate and empower readers to be healthy and create healthy communities.
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And be sure to share this post with your friends and family, especially those who frequently eat at McDonald’s or may qualify for a newly approved vaccine.