THE FACTS ABOUT WHAT IS E. COLI?

Escherichia coli, or E. coli for short, is a common, rod-shaped bacterium that lives in human and animal intestines where it is present in large numbers. There are hundreds of E. coli strains, most of which are relatively harmless, some are even beneficial to humans. WHAT'S THE PROBLEM? While most E. coli strains are harmless, one exception is the E. coli strain O157:H7. This particular strain is a pathogen which produces a powerful toxin often referred to as Shiga toxin or verotoxin, which can cause severe illness. E. coli thrive in warm, wet, dark places that are rich in nutrients, such as human and animal intestinal tracts. Once excreted, the bacteria cannot survive the harsh conditions of the outside world; however, some manage to find their way into lakes and streams, or another host. Once in water or sediment, E. coli can persist for several weeks. Current research suggests that E. coli can survive