What kind of testing is done?

E. coli strains are “fingerprinted” at public health laboratories to determine the sub-type of bacteria. Cases of illness with the same “fingerprint” (DNA pattern) may be associated with the outbreak strain. These results help to identify other related cases of illness as well to help determine the extent of the outbreak.

Show All Answers

1. What is E. coli 0157:H7?
2. What happens when a person is infected with E. coli?
3. How does E. coli spread?
4. How is an E. coli infection diagnosed?
5. What kind of testing is done?
6. What is an outbreak?
7. How is an E. coli infection treated?
8. What steps can a person take to prevent an E. coli infection?