WaterNews for September 16, 1999

WaterNews is a weekly on-line publication that announces publications, policies, and activities of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Office of Water.

Inside this week's WaterNews:

Federal Action to Help Protect Public Health from Recent E. coli Outbreaks

In response to the recent outbreaks of E. coli 0157:H7 infections in Illinois and New York, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and other federal health agencies will build upon existing outreach efforts and public education initiatives to help protect public health. While most strains of E. coli are harmless and live in the intestines of healthy humans and animals, this particular strain, E. coli 0157:H7, produces a powerful toxin and can cause severe illness.

As part of this response, EPA has created an E. coli page on its website, which provides links to other sites with information about the E. coli 0157:H7 bacteria and recent outbreaks. To learn more, visit the EPA web site at http://www.epa.gov/safewater/ecoli.html on the Internet. In addition, EPA's drinking water hotline (1-800-426-4791) will specifically respond to the public's questions and concerns about possible contamination of local water supplies with E. coli 0157:H7. Federal health agencies will be developing and distributing information for health care providers on the early diagnosis and treatment of infection with this health-threatening strain of E. coli. Also, EPA will release state guidance on accessing federal funds for enhanced water monitoring.

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