An outbreak of E. coli sickness has prompted the Calgary Health Region to issue a reminder to Calgarians to cook their food thoroughly and wash their hands.
So far this July, 17 people have become sick with E. coli, more than triple the number from the same time last year.
Dr. Judy MacDonald, the deputy medical officer of health for the Calgary Health Region, said the sickness has hit every age group, ranging from babies to an 88-year-old. Three different types of E.coli have been found, suggesting the sickness can be blamed on more than one source, she said.
"What we do know at this time is that there are two children that are in hospital with complications of this infection. It is a serious infection and can cause complications," she said.
E. coli, or Escherichia coli, is a common and ordinarily harmless bacterium, but certain strains can cause abdominal cramps, fever, bloody diarrhea, kidney failure, blindness, paralysis, and even death. It is most often spread through contaminated food.
Earlier this week, Canada's food watchdog released more information in the recall of certain fresh and frozen ground beef products that may be contaminated with E. coli.
The recall included fresh ground beef (lean, regular, extra lean and market trim) sold at Safeway and independent grocery stores in B.C. and Alberta between May 24 and June 5, 2007. The products are marked with a best before dates from May 25 to June 6 inclusively.