Verotoxigenic Escherichia coli (E.coli)

Verotoxin-producing E.coli (VTEC) is a disease caused by certain strains of the E.coli bacteria. The most commonly found VTEC in North America is E.coli O157:H7. Symptoms include diarrhea (sometimes bloody) and abdominal pain. Most people recover in 7 to 10 days but some can develop a serious kidney condition called hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). In very severe and rare cases, death can occur. E.coli (VTEC) is spread by consuming contaminated food or water, or through contact with an infected animal or person.  For more information, see the health unit's VTEC Fact Sheet.

The following graph shows the number of VTEC cases in Simcoe Muskoka between 2000 and 2008. There are many factors that influence how many cases are reported to the health unit, as explained on the Infectious Diseases page.

The following graph shows the incidence rate of VTEC in Simcoe Muskoka and Ontario between 2000 and 2008.

The Simcoe Muskoka incidence rate is almost equal to the Ontario rate for most years. The E.coli outbreak in Walkerton, Ontario, in 2000 caused by the consumption of contaminated drinking water is the reason for the high Ontario rate in that year.