VDH: 25 cases of E.coli reported among Lake Anna visitors, swimmers

LOUISA COUNTY, Va. (WVIR) - Lake Anna is a popular place to hang out in the summer. However, with an E. coli breakout, state health officials are running water tests to try and determine the cause.

According to Tuesday’s update from the Virginia Department of Health (VDH), there are 25 confirmed cases.

“E. coli often will start by having diarrhea and then several days after can develop a more severe syndrome characterized by kidney damage and some disorders of the blood,” Doctor Patrick Jackson, assistant professor of infectious disease at the University of Virginia, said.

That severe syndrome is hemolytic uremic syndrome.

As of Tuesday, June 18, the Virginia Department of Health reports there are seven cases.

Dr. Jackson says you shouldn’t try to treat this with over-the-counter medicine.

“It turns out that if you try to treat this E. coli with anti-diarrheal medications or antibiotics, it might cause the bacteria to release more of the toxin that causes this some more severe manifestation that hemolytic uremic syndrome,” Dr. Jackson said.

VDH says recent water test results indicate that levels of E. coli bacteria are below levels of public health concern.

“If you happen to have been at Lake Anna recently or are planning on going to Lake Anna, be aware of the symptoms, and seek medical attention if you have those symptoms,” Dr. Jackson said.

VDH has more information about the E.coli breakout. It’s updated every Tuesday and Thursday.

You can click here for more information.

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