Outbreak of e. Coli 0157:h7 hemorrhagic colitis in british columbia: results of two studies.

The enteric pathogen Escherichia coli serotype 0157:H7 has been shown to cause hemorrhagic colitis. In British Columbia, the number of cases of E. coli 0157:H7 reported during the summer months of June, July and August increased substantially from 1985 to 1986. That increase formed the basis of a number of studies. This article describes two such studies, both conducted in B.C. The first study attempted to find a common source of infection. The second study further examined, as possible sources of infection, specific dietary elements identified in the first.