031015 E.coli Not Found In NJ School LunchOctober 10, 2003New Jersey State health officials still haven't identified the source of E. coli bacteria that sent a 16-year-old girl to the hospital Saturday, but they know for certain it wasn't the food she ate at school. Saucon Valley School District Superintendent Richard Grove said Thursday test results confirmed the district's ground beef is not contaminated with the bacteria, which is typically found in cattle intestines. From our Advertisers State health officials on Thursday confirmed Grove's announcement. The student, whose identity isn't being released, reportedly told officials she ate a hamburger prepared at Saucon Valley High School. She is now recovering from the infection, Grove said. Pennsylvania Department of Health spokesman Richard McGarvey said the district's cafeteria food probably wasn't the source because there hasn't been an unusually high number of people in the district complaining of stomach problems. The student's E. coli infection appears to be an isolated case, which means officials may never pinpoint the source, Grove reiterated Thursday. E. coli infection symptoms include bloody stool, severe diarrhea, abdominal cramps, vomiting and mild fever. In 2% to 7% of cases, particularly with young children and the elderly, the infection can cause kidney damage. People usually come in contact with E. coli when they eat undercooked beef or raw milk. Other foods such as unpasteurized apple juice, some fruits and vegetables can also carry the bacteria. Meat contamination may occur during slaughter when bacteria from the animal's intestines contaminate the surface of the meat. Because ground beef receives more handling and has more surface area than other cuts of meat, it is more likely to become contaminated with E. coli. There are about 150 cases of E. coli infection reported in Pennsylvania a year and 73,000 in the United States, McGarvey said.
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