An epidemic is two or more cases in separate households with a common food exposure. Minnesota had ten epidemics in 1994 and 95. This new subtype identification allows public health workers to identify outbreaks and look for a common food exposure. Communal meal outbreaks have been studied. They should avoid raw vegetables.
Most bacteria come from cow colons.
The E. Coli don't harm the animals but contaminate food as cow manure, or in an unwashed food delivery truck, at the food processing plant or a child poops in a swimming area or diaper refuse contaminates a day care center. Food safety from the farm to the table is a national necessity. Treatment involves oral glucose, salt enriched fluid replacement and antibiotics or sulfonamides. They may make the patient sicker. Cook the hamburger to 1600 by using a meat thermometer, wash the vegetables, and keep your kitchen counter top clean.