E. coli is the short term for the bacteria Escherichia coli — which is an umbrella term for a species of bacteria which resides in the intestines of mammals. The residents of Walkerton have been affected by the powerful and sometimes fatal strain O157:H7. This type of E. coli is found in the intestines of cattle and is most commonly transmitted through undercooked meat or unpasteurized milk. E. coli O157:H7 multiplies rapidly and wreaks havoc with the human intestine once ingested.

In this CBC Radio interview Quirks & Quarks host Bob McDonald explores the mighty strength of this bacteria and how it is treated.

• The Walkerton tragedy was the first instance of a water-borne outbreak of E. coli O157:H7 in North America.
• E. coli ravages the body causing dehydration by way of fever and diarrhea. The bacteria also causes blood pressure to rise. Counts for red blood cells and platelets tend to fall.
• Long-term effects include persistently high blood pressure, kidney damage, chronic diarrhea and allergies.

• The use of antibiotics actually tends to intensify the effects of E. coli O157:H7. But before the strain had been identified in Walkerton some children had in fact been treated with antibiotics, thereby delaying their recovery. Similarly, before the boil-water advisory was announced on May 21, 2000, many parents had also encouraged their children stricken with diarrhea to drink lots of water in an effort to rehydrate their bodies.

• One mother whose three children fell ill during the epidemic expressed her disappointment in the water supply. "You only hear of this in Third World countries," the unnamed woman told the Globe and Mail. "I wouldn't drink the water again if my life depended on it." — in the Globe and Mail, May 26, 2000

• There are hundreds of different strains of Escherichia coli. Many strains are harmless and beneficial and live in the intestines of humans and animals alike. Cattle are immune to the virulent effects of O157:H7.
• In 1885, German bacteriologist and pediatrician Theodor Escherich discovered Bacterium coli in human feces. This discovery was revolutionary and allowed cities to test for the bacteria in potentially contaminated water systems. In 1919, Bacterium coli was renamed E. coli in honour of Escherich.

Medium: Radio
Program: Quirks & Quarks
Broadcast Date: May 27, 2000
Host: Bob McDonald
Guest(s): Eleanor Fish
Duration: 7:52

Last update: May 3, 2005