Most of the drill team campers who became ill have recovered, and no illnesses associated with the camp have been reported since June 22. The outbreak is the first in the United States known to be caused by E. coli O111. A household cluster of illness caused by E. coli O111 occurred in Ohio in 1990. The bacteria has caused outbreaks of illness in Australia and in several European countries. Bergmire-Sweat said that a primary source of infection was identified in only one of those outbreaks.
Infected humans can spread the bacteria via a fecal-oral transmission route.
General precautions against E. coli infections include thorough hand washing before preparing or serving foods or drinks and after changing a diaper, thoroughly washing raw fruits and vegetables and thoroughly cooking meats to an internal temperature of 160 F. Symptoms of E. coli infection can include severe abdominal cramps, diarrhea, bloody diarrhea, fever, headaches, nausea and vomiting. Persons with diarrheal illnesses should not swim. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the U.S. Food Safety Inspection Service, the Tarrant County Health Department and the Denton County Health Department also were involved in the outbreak investigation.