HAMBURGER DISEASE PREVENTION

The following are recommended measures for preventing the spread of E. coli O157:H7 gastroenteritis:

• Do not eat undercooked ground beef. If it's PINK, do not eat it!
• Do not drink unpasteurized milk or eat unpasteurized cheese.
• Do not drink unpasteurized fruit juices
• Wash your hands thoroughly immediately following ground beef preparation to avoid spreading bacteria from ground meat to other foods.
• Freeze ground beef following purchase unless you are going to eat it within 48 hours.
• Place the ground meat on the lowest rack to avoid meat juices spilling onto other foods.
• Do not defrost ground beef on the counter. Instead, defrost meat in the fridge or the microwave.
• Do not use the same plate for raw and cooked ground meat.
• Wash all surface areas well after they have been in contact with raw meat.
• Wash your utensils thoroughly between handling of raw and cooked meat.
• Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and warm water following bathroom use of diaper change.
• To avoid person-to-person spread, encourage good hygiene through thorough hand-washing among all family members, especially when someone in the family has a gastrointestinal illness.
• Do not take any anti-diarrheal medication (Lomotil, Immodium, etc.) or antibiotics for the diarrhea unless under the direction of your doctor.

See your doctor if you or your child develop the following symptoms:

• Bloody diarrhea
• Vomiting
• Severe abdominal cramps
• Fever
• Decreased urine output during a gastrointestinal illness