Epidemiological information: Outbreak of E. coli infections

Related Public Health Notice

February 2, 2017

What is epidemiology?

Epidemiology is the study of disease in a population. Epidemiologists, or "disease detectives," use surveillance systems to identify those who are sick and confirm that the sick people are part of this event. They then gather information from the people who got sick and review the clues from all parts of the investigation that might reveal the cause of the illness event.

The figure below forms part of the epidemiological investigation into this outbreak. An "epi curve" (Figure 1) is a valuable reference tool in any epidemiological investigation. An epi curve shows when cases begin, when they peak, and when they trail off. Certain details of the people who got sick (Table 1) also help epidemiologists as they work to solve the questions involved in foodborne illness.

Figure 1. Number of people infected with E. coli non-O157

*Dates available for 16 cases

Text Equivalent - Figure 1Number of people infected with E. coli non-O157

Table 1 – People confirmed to be infected with E. coli non-O157 by week of illness onset or specimen collection
Week of symptom onset or specimen collection Number of cases
06-Nov-2016 0
13-Nov-2016 1
20-Nov-2016 0
27-Nov-2016 5
4-Dec-2016 2
11-Dec-2016 2
18-Dec-2016 2
25-Dec-2016 1
1-Jan-2017 1
8-Jan-2017 2

 
Table 1: At a Glance
Outbreak status Ongoing
Case count 16
Provinces/Territories 4
Hospitalizations 5
Deaths 0
Gender (m:f) 11:5
Age range in years 8-79
Recall No

Footnote:

Note: It can take several weeks from the time a person becomes ill to when this illness is reported and testing confirms a link to the outbreak.

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