Shiga toxin producing Escherichia. coli (STEC) infection

Statutory notification

• Shiga toxin producing Escherichia. coli (STEC) infection is a notifiable infectious disease in Western Australia.
• Case definition: See Shiga toxin producing Escherichia coli (STEC) infection (external site) national surveillance case definition.
• Notification: Notify using the communicable disease notification form for metropolitan residents (PDF 214KB) or regional residents (PDF 213KB). For notification of regional residents see contact details of public health units.
• See also description of statutory medical notifications in Western Australia.

Public health summary

• Infectious agent: Shiga toxin producing Escherichia coli bacteria.
• Transmission: Faecal-oral, food-borne, water-borne and animal-person.
• Incubation period: From 1 to 10 days (usually 2 to 4 days).
• Infectious period: Most infectious while symptomatic. The infectious dose is low. The duration of excretion of the pathogen is typically ≤1 week in adults but 3 weeks in 1/3 of children. Use contact transmission- based precautions for hospitalised and institutionalised patients.
• Case exclusion: Exclude until asymptomatic, including normal stools, for 24 hours. If patient works in health care, aged care or child-care is a food handler or attends child-care, exclude until clearance specimens have been completed. See Guidelines for Exclusion of People with Enteric Diseases and their Contacts (PDF 764KB).
• Contact exclusion: See Guidelines for Exclusion of People with Enteric Diseases and their Contacts (PDF 764KB).
• Treatment: Oral rehydration and appropriate treatment as recommended by doctor and clinical microbiologist.
• Immunisation: None available.
• Case follow-up: Generally only clusters or outbreaks are investigated by the Communicable Disease Control Directorate (OzFoodNet), with assistance from local public health units as required.

Guidelines for public health units

• Guidelines for public health management of notifiable enteric diseases (PDF 387KB) 
• Guidelines for Exclusion of People with Enteric Diseases and their Contacts (PDF 764KB) 
• Communicable Disease Guidelines, for teachers, child care workers, local government authorities and medical practitioners

Notifiable disease data and reports

• Notifiable infectious disease dashboard
• General infectious disease reports