KING COUNTY, WA - Public Health - Seattle & King County determined today that the cause of the outbreak of diarrheal disease that affected approximately 100 persons attending the Argosy dinner ship cruise on Saturday, May 6, 2000, was a type of E. coli bacteria called enterotoxigenic E. coli, or ETEC.

"This outbreak demonstrates that you don't have to leave King County to get travelers' diarrhea," said Dr. Alonzo Plough, Director of Public Health - Seattle & King County. "I hope that everyone will redouble their efforts to ensure that food is washed, prepared, and stored safely, both in commercial environments and in the home."

ETEC is a common cause of travelers' diarrhea among persons visiting developing countries and is not the same strain of E. coli that causes bloody diarrhea and kidney disease (E. coli 0157:H7). Although no one was hospitalized as a result of this outbreak, approximately 10% of those ill had prolonged watery diarrhea lasting for weeks. Most of the ill persons have recovered at this time.

When initial tests on ill persons came back negative, the Washington State Public Health Laboratory performed special tests for less common pathogens and identified the culprit. Additional tests are ongoing in an attempt to conclusively identify the source of contamination. The most likely source of the infection was a contaminated uncooked food item. ETEC is killed by cooking.

ETEC may cause more disease that is currently thought. Health care providers should have a high index of suspicion for less commonly recognized causes of diarrhea such as ETEC when symptoms are unusual or persist longer than expected. In these cases, contacting Public Health can help identify the cause of illness.

To reduce the risk of foodborne illness, foods should be washed thoroughly, peeled, or cooked before they are eaten. Other food safety tips regarding juicers, melons, handwashing, food temperatures and other topics may be found at the Public Health - Seattle & King County website at http://www.metrokc.gov/health/foodsfty.