Case of E. coli in Forsyth

One of the 14 cases of a 6-state E. coli outbreak is in Forsyth, officials with the Georgia Department of Public Health and the Centers for Disease Control have told various news outlets.

The five reported Georgia cases are one each in Forsyth, Cherokee, Coweta counties and two in Cobb County.

It is reported that the CDC has not yet been able to identify the source of the current outbreak. However, there are ways to protect your food source against possible contamination.

The following tips from the Food Safety Web site should help you to stay safe:

• Clean
  • Wash hands the right way for 20 seconds with soap and running water.
  • Wash surfaces and utensils after each use.
  • Wash fruits and veggies, but not meat, poultry or eggs.
• Separate
  • Use separate cutting boards and plates for produce and for meat, poultry, seafood, and eggs.
  • Keep meat, poultry, seafood and eggs separate from all other foods at the grocery.
  • Keep meat, poultry, seafood and eggs separate from all other foods in the fridge.
• Cook
  • Use a food thermometer.
  • Keep food at 140˚F or above after cooking.
  • Microwave food thoroughly to 165˚F.
• Chill
  • Refrigerate perishable foods within two hours.
  • Never thaw or marinate foods on the counter.
  • Know when to throw food out.

E. coli in the News

• CNN: E. coli outbreak sickens 14 in six states
• Atlanta Journal-Constitution: Georgia, CDC probe E. coli outbreak
• WSB Radio: Health director: Don’t panic over E. Coli outbreak
• 11Alive: 5 E. coli cases discovered in metro Atlanta

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Rodney Thrash contributed to this article.