Work

Outbreak of Escherichia coli O157 associated with pork products linked to colonized swine in Alberta, 2018

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Background: In March 2018, an outbreak of Escherichia coli (E.coli) O157 infections was identified in Alberta.The objective of this article is to describe the outbreak, including the epidemiological, food safety and laboratory investigations that contributed to the identification of the outbreak source.Methods: Outbreak cases were identified through notifiable disease surveillance.Exposure (including food consumption) information was collected from outbreak cases.Onsite investigations were conducted at food facilities linked to outbreak case exposures, including collection of environmental swabs and food samples for E. coli O157 analysis and traceback investigation.Results: There were 43 outbreak cases identified; 33% of cases were hospitalized and one case was fatal.Dates of illness onset ranged between March and May 2018.An E. coli O157 outbreak strain was identified in outbreak case isolates and in 20 samples collected as part of this investigation (pork, swine feces and environmental swab).Implicated pork was traced back to a provincially licensed abattoir and meat processing facility.Outbreak cases were linked to six food facilities; 51% of cases were linked to one restaurant facility.Interventions included recall of implicated pork products, and temporary closure and implementation of food handling process improvements at implicated facilities.Conclusion: This investigation demonstrates a direct link between colonized swine, contaminated pork products and human E. coli O157 illnesses.The findings highlight the importance of consumer guidance for safe pork handling, as well as interventions during animal husbandry, biosecurity, slaughter, processing and handling to reduce the risk of human E. coli O157 illnesses.

Source: Canada Communicable Disease Report

DOI: 10.14745/ccdr.v52i09a03