E. coli bacteria cause disease by making a toxin, or poison. The symptoms of E. coli infections vary for each person but often include severe stomach cramps, diarrhea (often bloody), and vomiting. Most people get better within 5-7 days. Some infections are very mild, but others are severe or even life-threatening. E. coli live in the guts of ruminant animals, including cattle, goats, sheep, deer, and elk. Major routes of transmission include consumption of contaminated food, consumption of unpasteurized (raw) milk, consumption of water that has not been disinfected, contact with cattle, or contact with the feces of infected people. Experts think that there may be about 70,000 infections with E. coli each year in the United States. 

E. coli bacteria cause disease by making a toxin, or poison. The symptoms of E. coli infections vary for each person but often include severe stomach cramps, diarrhea (often bloody), and vomiting. Most people get better within 5-7 days. Some infections are very mild, but others are severe or even life-threatening. E. coli live in the guts of ruminant animals, including cattle, goats, sheep, deer, and elk. Major routes of transmission include consumption of contaminated food, consumption of unpasteurized (raw) milk, consumption of water that has not been disinfected, contact with cattle, or contact with the feces of infected people. Experts think that there may be about 70,000 infections with E. coli each year in the United States.