29 high schoolers infected with rare E. coli strain from deer

[azasadny]

January 12, Food Safety News – (Minnesota) 29 high schoolers infected with rare E. coli strain from deer. A high school environmental science experience went awry when 29 students became infected with a lesser-known strain of pathogenic E. coli from the white-tailed deer they hunted, butchered, and barbecued for a class project, Food Safety News reported January 12. The incident, which happened more than a year ago, came to the media’s attention for the first time January 11, when the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) published a study on the outbreak written by researchers at the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH). In November, 2010, two students from the environmental science class were admitted to a hospital with diarrhea. They shared the same doctor, who suspected their symptoms might indicate E. coli O157:H7 infections. When both students tested negative for O157, the doctor called the MDH, whose epidemiologist, discovered they were infected with E. coli O103:H2, another Shiga toxin-producing strain and one of the “Big Six” non-O157 strains soon to be regulated by the U.S. Department of Agriculture in ground beef. It did not take long for the health department to trace back the infections to school barbeques where more than 200 students learned to field dress deer and help a professional butcher chop chunks of venison into kabob pieces. Students were also largely responsible for cooking their own meat, which was cut from one of seven deer, at least one of which carried E. coli O103, as well as O145:NM, a nonvirulent strain. Through interviews, the health department found 27 other students had diarrhea in the days following the barbeque. Source: 29 High Schoolers Infected with Rare E. Coli Strain from Deer

[aigel]

Well, ***** happens. This is why you should cook ground meat always well done but you can keep a stake rare inside, as the center is sealed.

I guess kebab is in-between - if there is poop on the outside of the meat piece, it usually would get cooked. By putting a skewer through it, you now pushed it on the inside where you may want to keep it rare ...

I would eat my own deer meat over processed beef any day however, look up how many people have died from processed beef e-coli ...

G

[azasadny]

I posted this because I know we have quite a few deer hunters and wild game guys (and gals) here....

[mattdavis11]

Prior to fire, it was eaten raw, yet the human species still made it. Health care has gone way over board.

[lowyder993s]

I can only imigine what would hppen in Kali if this were attempted at school. Good for the kids to learn a skill!!!

[masraum]

Originally Posted by mattdavis11

Prior to fire, it was eaten raw, yet the human species still made it. Health care has gone way over board.

Silly comparison, comparing modern man to cave men that were around before fire. That'd be like me saying "A large pack of hyena are capable of taking on a pride of lions, so a pack of Chihuahuas should be just as capable.

Yep, lots of animals still eat raw meat, but their bodies and the bacteria in their guts are also geared towards that. A long time ago, long enough ago for men to have not had fire, they were very different than we are now.

[aigel]

With proper technique an animal is gutted where the entire entrails from esophagus to anus are removed in one piece. This goes out the window if the animal is gut-shot or the job is done by a beginner (aka school kid).

Back when man ate their food rare, the average age was probably under 20 years old.

George

[GWN7]

Take 200 kids, give them knifes, add 7 deer and one meat cutter. Then make them cook and eat the meat they cut up.....only 29 had poopy bums? Amazing

[Tobra]

Sounds like quite the learning experience. Bet they are more careful next time they field dress a deer.

[FrankyV]

Originally Posted by masraum

A long time ago, long enough ago for men to have not had fire, they were very different than we are now.

Perhaps the other poster does not believe in evolution. In that case, humans have not changed at all.