VTEC (Verotoxic-Genic E Coli)

VTEC (VeroToxic-genic E Coli) is a bacteria, which lives in the gut of humans and animals. Most strains of E Coli are harmless but VTEC can make people become very sick. E Coli 0157 is the most common type of VTEC.

How do you know if you have VTEC?

It takes 3 to 4 days (sometimes up to 8 days) for symptoms to show after becoming infected. Some people with the infection may have no symptoms at all, but they may still be passing the bacteria in their bowel motions. Others may experience severe stomach cramps and diarrhoea, which can turn bloody after 2-3 days. People may also experience vomiting and fever.

How serious is VTEC?

In most people the illness usually resolves in 5 to 10 days. Severe complications such as kidney and blood clotting problems may occur in some people. These complications can be serious and may be life threatening.

How long is someone infectious?

People are infectious as long as the bacteria remains in their gut.

How do you get VTEC?

• From drinking untreated water from rivers, streams, shallow wells or roof rainwater that has been contaminated by infected people or animals.
• From eating undercooked meat (especially minced meat that has been frozen).
• From drinking untreated (raw) milk.
• From handling raw meat.
• From food or objects which can be contaminated by someone who is infected by not washing hands properly after changing nappies, going to the toilet or after handling animals.
• From eating unwashed raw fruit and vegetables that have been contaminated by human or animal sewage.

How can you prevent catching VTEC and spreading it to others?

Remember:

• wash hands with soap and water
• wash hands after going to the toilet or changing nappies
• wash hands before handling food
• wash hands after handling food, especially after touching raw meat
• thaw and cook meat thoroughly especially minced meat
• keep raw meat separate from cooked foods during storage and preparation
• wash benches, chopping boards and utensils thoroughly with warm soapy water after preparing raw meat
• make sure your fridge temperature is 4°C or less
• wash fruit and vegetables in treated water before eating, especially those that will not be cooked
• always boil or treat drinking water from rivers, streams, shallow wells or the roof
• anyone with diarrhea should not swim in public pools, lakes or share a bath with others.

How is VTEC treated?

Most people recover without treatment. Fluid replacement by drinking plenty of liquids is always important when you have diarrhoea, especially important for children who are more likely to get dehydrated than adults. Admission to hospital may be necessary in some cases when the illness becomes severe.

Spreading VTEC

It is recommended that contacts (people who live in the same house as someone with VTEC) have a faecal specimen taken to check that they are not carrying the bacteria.

High risk cases (food handlers, early childhood workers, health care workers in high risk occupations and children attending kindergartens, playcentres, and kohanga reo) must not return to work or early childhood centres until they had clearance specimens (their bowel motions tested again and shown to be free of infection). Talk to your doctor or Public Health Unit if you are in any of these groups.

Other cases that are not in the high-risk group should return to work or school until they have been free of symptoms for at least two days.

VTEC is a notifiable disease what does this mean?

By law, your doctor must inform the medical officer of health of your illness and personal details. All information about you will be kept confidential and is used to manage the disease and prevent others becoming infected from the same source.

For more information

For further information on VTEC, please contact your doctor, or the Health Protection Unit (telephone (07) 838 2569).

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