E. Coli (STEC)

Clear→ stable

Gastrointestinal

Current NYS Status

1,775 cases in 2024 — near the 5-year baseline of ~3,722.

2024 statewide cases: 1,775

Source: NYSDOH Annual Communicable Disease Report 2024 + 5-yr baseline

What is it?

Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC), including the well-known O157:H7 strain, produces a powerful toxin that can damage the intestinal lining and kidneys. NYS had 1,775 cases in 2024. The most serious complication — hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) — causes acute kidney failure and is the leading cause of kidney failure in children.

How it spreads

Primarily through contaminated food: undercooked ground beef, raw milk, unpasteurized apple juice/cider, and contaminated raw produce (especially sprouts). Also spreads through contact with infected animals at farms, petting zoos, and fairs, and through contaminated water.

Symptoms

Severe stomach cramps, diarrhea (often bloody), and vomiting beginning 3–4 days after exposure. Fever is usually mild or absent. Most people recover in 5–7 days. Watch for signs of HUS: decreased urination, pale skin, and extreme fatigue starting about a week after diarrhea begins.

Who is at risk?

Young children under 5, elderly adults, and immunocompromised individuals are at highest risk for developing HUS. Children who develop HUS require hospitalization and sometimes dialysis.

What you can do

🛡Cook ground beef to 160°F internal temperature; never eat pink ground beef

🛡Avoid unpasteurized milk, juice, and cider

🛡Wash hands after contact with animals at fairs, farms, or petting zoos

⚕️Seek care immediately if diarrhea is bloody, or if a child develops decreased urination or appears pale and tired after a diarrheal illness

Tier B — Annual report tracking

Based on NYSDOH annual communicable disease report. Threat level reflects 2024 case counts compared to the 5-year baseline.

Seasonality: summer

This information is for general public health awareness and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.