Timeline for Reporting Cases of E. coli O157 Infection

The time from when a person is exposed to E. coli O157 from contaminated food, water, or an infected animal or person to the confirmation that he or she is part of an outbreak is typically about 2–3 weeks.

Person is exposed to E. coli O157Time to Illness1–3 days

Person becomes illTime to Health Care1–5 days

Stool sample requestedTime to Diagnosis1–3 days

E. coli O157 identifiedShipping Time0–7 days

Public health lab receives E.coli O157 strainSerotyping and “DNA Fingerprinting” Time2–4 days

Case reported as part of outbreak

Total time: 2–3

weeks

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