As of today, there are eighteen cases linked to the recent E. coli O157:H7 outbreak. Of the eighteen cases, twelve are children and six are adults. All reported illnesses are associated with playing in the water at Commodore Beach in Lake Wildwood or taking care of someone who is infected. The best method of prevention when caring for an ill person is frequent washing and drying of your hands.

There have been a total of ten hospitalizations and of those, nine have been discharged home. To date, of those with laboratory-confirmed E. coli O157:H7, the onset of symptoms has ranged from July 20-29, 2017. The Public Health Department will continue to follow up on reports of illness received from health care providers.

The five public beaches at Lake Wildwood remain closed, and the no swimming advisory remains in effect for the lake. The Environmental Health Department continues to take samples from around the lake for testing; however, the cause of the outbreak remains under investigation.