University at Albany

April 6, 2000 5:00 p.m.

E. coli update

Albany County Health Department officials report that a fifth University at Albany student has been diagnosed with an E. coli infection. This student lives on State Quad but reported to health officials that he eats on both Indian and State quads. The other four students live on Indian Quad and have recovered. Health officials said the fifth student had been experiencing symptoms of the infection.

The Albany County Health Department and the University are continuing to work to determine the cause of these cases. A questionnaire was distributed on Thursday, April 5 to all residents of Indian Quad asking whether they experienced any symptoms linked to E.coli and asking them to identify foods they consumed before they developed symptoms. The Albany County Health Department and New York State Department of Health will be analyzing the completed questionnaires in an effort to identify a potential source of the E.coli infection.

Sodexho Marriott Services, which provides food service at the University, has been checking all food sources, testing food service employees for the E.coli infection, and reviewing all food preparation and handling procedures.

Indian Quad cafeteria, which the University closed on Friday evening, March 31, as a precautionary measure after three student residents were diagnosed with E.coli infections, will reopen when the University is confident everything is in order. Albany County Health Department officials inspected the dining hall on Friday evening and found no significant breaches in food handling procedures.

We will keep you updated with the latest information as it become available.

We continue to urge any student with symptoms of bloody diarrhea to seek medical help at University Health Center (M-F 8:00 AM - 7:00 PM; S-Su 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM) or the emergency room at St. Peter's Hospital or Albany Medical Center Hospital. Any student who wishes to discuss facts about the infection may contact the Health Center Medical Advice Nurse at 442-5930.

Paul T. Stec
Interim Vice President for Finance and Business 		James P. Doellefeld
Vice President for Student Affairs

See the earlier April 3, 2000 Update University at Albany